Twin Fuselage P-40

[McGreig]

What about a twin fuselage P-40?

I'd been thinking about a Twin P-40, along the lines of the Me-109Z or Twin Mustang, but I couldn't come up with a convincing scenario, particularly as the completed model would ideally be finished in Soviet markings. Revisiting my Twin Kobra (see Alternative History thread), it occurred to me that a simple tweak to that scenario might solve the problem.

We start with the same (true) historical background. Viktor Belyaev, who specialised in aircraft using twin fuselages, designed the single seat, twin fuselage OI-2 fighter in 1941. Occasionally referred to as the "Twin Kobra" because of its strong resemblance to a twinned Bell P-39 the OI-2 was, in fact, an entirely original design. He believed that the twin fuselage concept would result in a considerable increase in range, payload and firepower.

Unfortunately the OI-2 was abandoned when Germany invaded and Belyaev's OKB was disbanded. He spent the War at Factories 166 and 288 as head of the strength calculations bureau of Myasischev's OKB.

Upset by the loss of his OKB and the destruction of his unusual designs it's more probable than not that Belyaev persisted with his concepts while working for Myasischev.

So far, so factual. With the Twin Kobra my "what if" assumption was that, given the large number of P-39s and P-63s available in the USSR at the time, Belyaev could have begged, borrowed or stolen two old Airacobras to convert into a proof of concept aircraft.

But could he? These were modern, reliable and important aircraft - numerous successful fighter regiments and individual aces used the P-39 and the P-63 continued in Soviet service until the early Fifties - and the VVS might have been reluctant to let any go.

However, the P-40 would be a different story. The USSR received about 2,000 P-40s but, while they appreciated its comfort, build standard and ruggedness, the Russians considered it a less effective fighter than the P-39 and their own Yak-1/3/9 and La-5/7 designs and many of the P-40s served with second line air defence units, defending cities in the rear.

So, if we assume that Belyaev wanted to demonstrate the advantages of the twin fuselage concept, but wasn't too concerned about the mid-engined layout, then it seems more likely that his requirement for modern, rugged aircraft to convert could have been met by P-40s rather than P-39s.

However, although I've convinced myself that a Soviet twin fuselage P-40 is feasible, there are still some things I'm undecided on. Cockpit on one fuselage or both? Which version of the P-40 to use? Largely left in US delivery colours or completely repainted?

I'm leaning towards one cockpit (with the other faired over like the Me-109Z), P-40E or M and Soviet grey colour like the Twin Kobra but I'm open to suggestions.

[Daryl J.]

I'd think a long-tail would be better aesthetically.  As to cockpits, either way would look fine.

Overall NMF?

Just 2 cents worth of input,
Daryl J.