Mitsubishi Stuka and Thunderbolt

[Treetop64]

Originally Posted by majorfailure

The engine on the P-39 is not tough at all - if you get shot from behind and slightly off-angle.

Historically, this is one of the things about the P-39 that made it particularly vulnerable to fighters attacking from behind. Not only the engine being where it is made it vulnerable to fighters, but the Prestone overflow tank and the oil tank were positioned directly behind the engine, making them extremely susceptible in air-to-air combat.