"Airacobra poison to the Axis ... and a fighter the Army Air Forces praise" Vintage WWII U.S. Army Poster

Presented is a vintage WWII U.S. Army poster of a P-39 Airacobra fighter plane. The poster was published by the Recruiting Publicity Bureau in 1943. The poster depicts a P-39 mid-battle, set against a bright blue sky. The P-39 fires a round from its armament. In the background, a downed enemy plane spirals towards the ground. The poster text reads, “Airacobra poison to the Axis” at center in black and “... and a fighter the Army Air Forces praise” at bottom in white block letters.

The P-39 Airacobra was a fighter produced by Bell Aircraft for the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. It was one of the principal American fighter jets in service when the United States entered combat. The P-39 was used by the Soviet Air Force and enabled individual Soviet pilots to collect the highest number of kills attributed to any U.S. fighter type flown by any air force in any conflict. It was also used by the Free French, the Royal Air Force, and the Italian Co-Belligerent Air Force.

Because its engine was equipped with only a single-stage, single-speed supercharger, the P-39 was used at lower altitudes. The comparatively low-speed, low-altitude nature of most air combat on the Eastern Front suited the P-39's strengths: sturdy construction, reliable radio gear, and adequate firepower. The Red Air Force developed successful group aerial fighting tactics for the Bell fighters and scored a surprising number of aerial victories over a variety of German aircraft.

CONDITION: 

Color lithograph. Color still very vibrant. Crease at centerfold and small creases throughout in the outer margins. U.S. Army logo printed in white at bottom left. "P-X-7-RPB-10-11-43-7500" and the United States Army Recruiting Publicity Bureau logo at bottom right. 

Poster has been archivally framed in a custom-built black wooden frame with UV Plexiglas and acid-free backing and mats. Framed Dimensions: 47”H x 35 1/2”W x 1/2” D.