Bell Cobra I & II 1946 NAR video

[Reno64]

I just discovered this amazing color video from the Bell Aircraft archives of the Bell P-39 Cobras at the Bell factory, plus racing at 1946 National Air Races, Cleveland.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEYm_...ayer_embedded#!

[BuckyD]

Re: Bell Cobra I & II 1946 NAR video

FABULOUS!!!

Thanks for posting, Reno64 - Watching that really made my day!



DBD

[Big_Jim]

Re: Bell Cobra I & II 1946 NAR video

BEST PORNO EVER!!!!

I need a cigarette.....

[rampking]

Re: Bell Cobra I & II 1946 NAR video

GREAT FIND !
Thanks for sharing this !

[xmh53wrench]

Re: Bell Cobra I & II 1946 NAR video

BEST PORNO EVER!!!!

I need a cigarette.....

BRAGGER!!! 19:18....I needed 4, and I dont even smoke....good thing there wasnt any sound.

Great find, gonna go out on a limb here, but something is to be said for seeing the planes going right to left, then banking to where you can see the top of the a/c....just saying I know not viable at Reno, but it is a cool view.

[Coyote Chris]

Re: Bell Cobra I & II 1946 NAR video

Thanks for posting this....man I wish I had my time machine working.
One question, though....why is everyone thin, well dressed, and smoking cigarettes?
(Love the pics of the racing A-26)

[Deadstickdan]

Re: Bell Cobra I & II 1946 NAR video

Great video footage!! That had to be the only event where the people in the front of the bleachers got mad at the people in the back of the bleachers for blocking their view!

[mcavanaugh55]

Re: Bell Cobra I & II 1946 NAR video

When I read Coyote Chris' remark about a racing A-26 I just had to check that out (11:54) but it doesn't actually show it raceing, or even in the air. I sure would have like to see something as large as an A-26 rounding the pylons in a race. Maybe we need a B-25 class ! I did like the P-38 though.

[deepsky]

Re: Bell Cobra I & II 1946 NAR video

Very Cool. Thanks for posting it!

[Big_Jim]

Re: Bell Cobra I & II 1946 NAR video

When I read Coyote Chris' remark about a racing A-26 I just had to check that out (11:54) but it doesn't actually show it raceing, or even in the air. I sure would have like to see something as large as an A-26 rounding the pylons in a race. Maybe we need a B-25 class ! I did like the P-38 though.

From 1968-88 there were six A-26's that raced at Reno/Mojave, and three B-25's that attempted to qualify.

But it's nothing to the oft-related event of FiFi and Diamond Lil' running the pylons at METO power 'after hours' in 1997.

[Big_Jim]

Re: Bell Cobra I & II 1946 NAR video

When I read Coyote Chris' remark about a racing A-26 I just had to check that out (11:54) but it doesn't actually show it raceing, or even in the air. I sure would have like to see something as large as an A-26 rounding the pylons in a race. Maybe we need a B-25 class ! I did like the P-38 though.

Oh, as an aside...the A-26 in the film was run in the Bendix cross country race, not the pylon race. #45 the Carribean Queen flown by Don Husted and finished in 6th place out of 23 planes that actually started the race.

[Coyote Chris]

Re: Bell Cobra I & II 1946 NAR video

Sorry......

http://napoleon130.tripod.com/id397.html

[Lockheed Bob]

Re: Bell Cobra I & II 1946 NAR video

A little history: The A26 flown by Diana Cyrus in the 47 Bendix was Robert Converses mother Robert flew the P51D called Huntress III in honor of his mother at the Reno Races. The red P39 was destroyed & the pilot killed during a test flight,the yellow one was flown by Alvin"Tex" Johnson. "Tex" besides winning the race his other claim to fame was while with Boeing he rolled the 707 during a PR flight.

[BUD_XXX]

Re: Bell Cobra I & II 1946 NAR video

Watching that cool video of the pilot getting into the P39...

However now I have to ask...how do you "get out" of the P39...does the top of the canopy detach...or do you have to fight the wind while opening the door??

[Lockheed Bob]

Re: Bell Cobra I & II 1946 NAR video

Canopy is not hinged you have to open the door. The P63 was the same.I assume the door could be jettisoned for quick bailout.