Bell P-39 top ten ace list

[John Beaman]

Originally Posted by knusel

The P-400's of the USAAF claimed 45 kills, all in the Pacific.
Who was the top-scorer of that subtype ?

Michael

Michael I realize this is roughly related to the main thread but it should be posted in the Pacific section of the board. You will likely get a lot more responses there. Suggest you repost in that section.

[knusel]

OK.
Update: I've adjusted the P-39 top ten ace list according to that wonderful website:
http://soviet-aces-1936-53.ru/index.html

1. Grigorii Rechkalov (Речкалов Григорий Андреевич) = 54,17 [53+3]
2. Alexandr Pokryshkin (Покрышкин Александр Иванович) = 40-44,5 [40+0 - 43+3]
3. Dimitrii Glinka (Глинка Дмитрий Борисович) = 39 [39+0]
4. Nikolai Gulayev (Гулаев Николай Дмитриевич) = 38,33 [37+3]
5. Ivan Babak (Бабак Иван Ильич) = 37,5 [35+5]
6. Mikhail Komelkov (Комельков Михаил Сергеевич) = 35,48 [33+7]
7. Alexei Smirnov (Смирнов Алексей Семёнович) = 34,5 [34+1] + 1 balloon
8. Boris Glinka (Глинка Борис Борисович) = 28 [27+2]
9. Alexandr Klubov (Клубов Александр Фёдорович) = 28 [28+0]
10.Alexei Yegorov (Егоров Алексей Александрович) = 25 [25+0]
11. Pavel Kamozin (Камозин Павел Михайлович) = 25 [23+4]

Can anybody tell me if any of these victories were scored in the P-400 ?

Cheers,

Michael

[knusel]

Good morning Gentlemen,

according to this website
http://warbirdsandairshows.com/aircr...torieswwii.htm
the Airacobra has scored 5 CBI kills.
Can anybody tell me the name of one of the claimants and the location of his claim ?

Cheers,

Michael

[Frank Olynyk]

I do not have any P-39 or P-400 victories in the CBI theater in my databases. You will have to query the webmaster of that site, and ask him for documentation and sources (which I note he does not supply).

Enjoy!

Frank.

[knusel]

Hello Frank,

thanks for checking.
I've contacted the webmaster David Jackson.
He recommends this book
https://www.amazon.de/Victory-Roll-A...tory+roll+wolf
but acknowledges that the info I seek is not included.

Have a nice Friday,

Michael

[bearoutwest]

Gents,
The P-39/P-400 PTO claims for USAAF in CBI could be in the Aleutians...technically part of the Pacific but not generally referred to as such. I wonder if the mistake was made in itemising the Aleutians separately from the PTO.

The P-43 kills in the CBI - well, a number of claims were referred to by pilots of the late-AVG/early 75 FS (I think that was the initial USAAF unit which took over from the AVG in China). I am not aware if any of these claims were confirmed but a number were discussed in various unit histories and pilot biographies. These claims would have been by the USAAF, and not included as part of the small number of claims by Chinese AF pilots.

Regards,
...geoff

[Frank Olynyk]

There is no way that the P-39 claims in the Aleutians (I believe I show about 9) can be considered as being in the CBI. The Aleutians are in the northern Pacific, and 11th Air Force.

There are no P-39 claims in the CBI. I have three P-43 (or P-43A) claims, in August and September 1942, by the 75th and 76th Fighter Squadrons. 74th, 75th, and 76th FS were the successors to the three AVG squadrons, as part of the 23rd FG.

There are lots of P-39/P-400 claims in the Pacific, and a few in the MTO.

I am only able to track the Chinese pilots in the CACW, all of whom flew the P-40, and later the P-51. And that webpage does say that these are claims by US pilots.

Enjoy!

Frank.

[focusfocus]

I too am curious and DUBIOUS about the deployment of P-39,P-400 in CBI and especially victories!!!

Never heard of "these victories"

The P-43 "Lancer" in Pacific ? and 3 victories??....Which??

On the other hand nothing on the P-66 "Vanguard" in CBI.....To my knowledge,it seems some victories by Chinese pilot(s).no?

Hum!Hum!

Michel