Books, articles or other sources for Italian Airacobras?
 

Hello!

Besides Mattioli's Bell P-39 Airacobra in Italian Service? It'a good book but identifies the German units targeted by the planes better than the Airacobra units, pilots or planes. It may be because of the source material available when written, of course.

For example I would like to know more about unit markings and insignia. I have not been able to sort them out for the Co-belligerent (Balkan Air Force) period.

Cheers,
Kari

Re: Books, articles or other sources for Italian Airacobras?
 

The two volumes book "Quelli del Cavallino Rampante", history of 4° Stormo written by the late Antonio Duma contains a day by day account of operations, including training and war missions flown with P-39 (about 80 pages, no aircraft serial mentioned). Several pictures of aircraft and pilots.


"Coccarde Tricolori" by Gregory Alegi and Baldassarre Catalanotto contains 23 pictures of P-39 and lists 130 s/n with individual a/c stories.


The issue 132 of the magazine "Storia Militare" includes an 11-pages article about the italian service of the Airacobra, with 14 pictures plus one (magazine cover) in colour.


Some of the pictures are published in more than one publication (P-39 photos are quite rare).


ciao
Gianandrea

Re: Books, articles or other sources for Italian Airacobras?
 

Grazie mille, Gianandrea!

Now I have something to look for. Already ordered the Coccarde Tricolori.

Cheers;
Kari