Bell P-39Q Airacobra- Erickson Aircraft Collection - Madras, OR - Static Aircraft Displays on Waymarking.com

The Erickson Aircraft Collection relocated approximately 20 aircraft to the Madras Airport in 2014. This collection of mostly WWII vintage planes were previously housed in a military hanger at the Tillamook Air Museum (NW coastal town in Oregon).

The following verbiage is taken from the Erickson Aircraft Collection website to describe its history:

P-39 Airacobra

NARRATIVE

The P-39 was one of America’s first-line pursuit planes in December 1941. Its unique engine location behind the cockpit caused some pilot concern, but this proved to be no more of a hazard in a crash than landing with an engine located forward of the cockpit. The Airacobra saw combat throughout the world, particularly in the Southwest Pacific, Mediterranean and Russian theaters. Because its engine was not equipped with a supercharger, the P-39 performed best below the 17,000 feet altitude and was therefore more often used for ground strafing. Bell built a total of 9,584 Airacobras of which 4,773 were delivered to the Soviet Union whose pilots preferred the aircraft for its ground attack capability. The Airacobra was one of the world’s first single-seat fighters to feature a tricycle landing gear and was fitted with car-type doors for the pilot to enter and exit. Called the “Little Shaver” by the Red Air Force, “shaving” being Russian slang for ground strafing, the P-39 gained great respect as a destroyer of German tanks and vehicles.

The interpretive display in front of this plane notes it being recovered from Carpenter Lake, BC, and restored to airworthy condition. There are some neat pictures of its salvage from the lake and restoriation. I forgot to take a picture of the interpretive display.

This plane has an inventory page at Warbirdregistry.org here

This collection is definitely worth the visit for any aircraft enthusiast.

Type of Aircraft: (make/model): Bell P-39Q Airacobra Tail Number: (S/N): 44-2485 Construction:: original aircraft Location (park, airport, museum, etc.): Erickson Aircraft Collection - Madras Airport inside / outside: inside Other Information:: Admission GENERAL: $9.00 SENIOR: $8.00 VETERAN: $7.00 YOUTH (6-17): $5.00 CHILD (5 and under): FREE Access restrictions: The Erickson Aircraft Collection is open to the public this summer daily from 10am to 5pm, except Monday. The Collection will be closed to the public Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

Visit Instructions:
Photo of aircraft (required - will be interesting to see if the aircraft is ever repainted or progress if being restored)
Photo of serial number (required unless there is not one or it is a replica)
Photo(s) of any artwork on the aircraft (optional but interesting)

Tell why you are visiting this waymark along with any other interesting facts or personal experiences about the aircraft not already mentioned.

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