Bell P39N Airacobra - White 01 Capt Ivan II'ich Babak

Product description

Every country except the Soviet Union disliked the P-39. All wanted it to perform well
above 20,000 feet but it didn’t because of a supercharger instead of a turbo-charger and
weight. The Soviets liked the low altitude speed and maneuverability, excellent structural
integrity, and heavy armament, everything they needed to fight the type of war on the
Eastern Front. They were so pleased by these attributes that they nicknamed it “The Iron
Dog”. There were 9,585 P-39s of all variants built with about 4,500 going to the Soviets.

In April 1942 Ivan II’ich Babak was assigned to 45th IAP (45th Fighter Wing) of the 100th
GIAP (Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment) flying a Yak-1. In April 1943 Babak downed 14
fighters over Kuban making him a top Kobra Ace and winning the HSU award  – Hero of
the Soviet Union. Later that year Babak contracted malaria and spent several months in
hospital. On April 22, 1945 Babak was shot down and had 33 victories and 4 shared.
The inscription below Babak’s P-39N reads “From the schoolchildren of Mariupol”.