Placing the Bell P39 Aircobra.

[Kutscha]

With all respect to Mr Shore, the P-39's role was:

1. Protect ground units from enemy aircraft
2. Escort bombers
3. Suppress AAA in the area of bombers
4. Reconnaissance
5. Free hunt
6. Attack soft targets (i.e. troops, convoys, supply dumps, railroads, airfields, barges or other small naval craft)
7. Protect high-value friendly targets (i.e. bridges, amphibious landing forces, reserves, command and control, major cities, etc).

Gee, that 350lbs of armour on the Hurrie is less than what the P-39Q had, being 231lb. So what was the worth of the P-39s armour?

At least with an engine in front, some protection is given to the pilot, unlike the engine behind the pilot in the P-39.