© Richard Vernon

Bell P-39 Airacobra, 601 Sqn AuxAF-RAF, Duxford 1941

Based at Coltishall's satellite airfield at Matlask, 601 Sguadron AuxAF were issued a Airacobra I like the one above in late July 1941.

The aircraft visited Coltishall before the Squadron moved to Duxford to finish re-equipment with the mid engine mounted American fighter two weeks later.

The Aircobra returned to Coltishall in the first half of 1943, when the United States Army Air Force's 346th Fighter Squadron operated Spitfire V's and the P-39D version of the Aircobra from the Station before deploying to the Mediterrancan.