HobbyBoss 1/72 P-39N "AirCobra"

The Bell P-39 Airacobra was one of the principal American fighter aircraft in service when the United States entered World War II. The P-39 was used with great success by the Soviet Air Force, which scored the highest number of individual kills attributed to any U.S. fighter type. Other major users of the type included the Free French, the Royal Air Force, the USAAC/F and the Italian Co-Belligerent Air Force.

Designed by Bell Aircraft, it had an innovative layout, with the engine installed in the center fuselage, behind the pilot, and driving a tractor propeller via a long shaft. It was also the first fighter fitted with a tricycle undercarriage. Although its mid-engine placement was innovative, the P-39 design was handicapped by the absence of an efficient turbo-supercharger, limiting it to low-altitude work. As such it was rejected by the RAF for use over western Europe and passed over to the USSR where performance at high altitude was less important.

Together with the derivative P-63 Kingcobra, the P-39 was one of the most successful fixed-wing aircraft manufactured by Bell.

These Hobby Boss easy assembly kits are actually quite nice. They are generally accurate in outline and detailed enough for most modelers. In addition, they are near snap kits with large peg and socket attachment points. This makes them attractive to both younger builders and those who simply want something easy after struggling with a difficult project.

Most of the airframe is in two large pieces. One is the lower fuselage that includes the wings. The other is a fairly complete upper fuselage. The tailplanes are separate. Now this will generally leave a fairly large seam, but easy enough to fill. There looks to be a lot of room in the nose section for weight as that will be needed to prevent tail sitting. This kit has a more complete cockpit than some of their earlier releases. A control stick and instrument panel are molded into the interior section and there is a separate seat. The hefty nose gear attaches to the underside of the cockpit. While I'd like to leave the nose gear off until after painting, I'm not sure that is possible.

The main gear traps the wheel between the gear leg and main gear door. This variant has underwing gun pods that snap into place. It also includes a centerline drop tank. The nose gear doors are molded in place and the inner main gear doors have large attachment tabs. The one piece canopy simply snaps in place using large tabs.

Instructions are printed on the back of the box. Two Soviet P-39s are offered. One in OD over neutral grey as shown on the box art. The other is soviet green over neutral grey with insignia that have a white background. This one also has a large nose art. It has been a while since I built one of these kits, but don't recall having any issues with the decals. These decals also include wing walk areas.

If you want a quick build, or something to give to a youngster, then these kits would be a great choice.