P-39 performance after engine damage

[Baddington_VA]

I have also seen this happen online with the P39.
The amount of smoke that trails would indicate it has had it's day.
But it then pulls away seemingly undamaged, continues climbing, engaging and shooting down other fighters, as if there is no damage at all.
All the time it leaves a thick trail of black smoke.
I would have it at a guess, that the smoke deceptively outweighs the actual damage done.