Monogram 1/48 P-39 Airacobra
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KIT # |
PA-227 |
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PRICE: |
$1.50 when new |
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DECALS: |
4 options |
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REVIEWER: |
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NOTES: |
1969 boxing |
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HISTORY |
The P-39 was one of America's first-line pursuit planes in December 1941. It made its initial flight in April 1939 at Wright Field and by the time of the Pearl Harbor attack, nearly 600 had been built. Its unique engine location behind the cockpit caused some pilot concern, but this proved to be no more of a hazard in a crash landing than with an engine located forward of the cockpit. However, the P-39's spin characteristics could be quite a problem if recovery techniques were ignored.
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 17,000 feet altitude, and it often was used at lower altitudes for such missions as ground strafing. When P-39 production ended in August 1944, Bell had built 9,584 Airacobras, of which 4,773 had been allotted to the Soviet Union. Russian pilots particularly liked the cannon-armed P-39 for its ground attack capability. Other P-39s served French and British forces.
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THE KIT |
Raised panel lines are the norm, though that does
not detract in any way from the quality of the molding. There are the usual
ejector pin marks in the 'wrong' places (inside of doors, gear wells and
such) as well as a few sink marks on a few of the thicker parts like the
interior aft bulkhead and pilot figure. You'll note that the long sprues
have been cut to fit into the smaller box than originally designed. Clear
bits are well done though thicker than what we've come to expect. Since this is
the initial 1969 release, one would expect the parts to be in good condition
The kit has a full interior and gun bay, complete with panels that can be removed to display the gun. Those of us who don't want a tail sitter will either have to fill this bay or be very creative with where to stash weight as there isn't much room. Another option is open doors and one also can show an engine half, should one wish to do so. Two styles of exhaust stacks, a 6 stack and 12 stack version are supplied in case one wishes to do a P-400. A drop tank or bomb is supplied for the belly rack. If doing a version with the shorter barreled nose cannon, one simply cuts off the portion not needed.
Instructions are
typical of what was done during the time. In addition to nicely drawn
construction steps, there is a written construction sequence. Next to each build
step is a small circle which the modeler checks off once that step has been
completed. Color information is generic.
Four markings options are provided. Three of them are in standard OD over Neutral Grey. The box art plane is a P-400 from the 67 FS/347 FG, on Guadalcanal in 1943. This aircraft is in pseudo-RAF 'sand and spinach' upper surfaces with a light grey underside. Next is a P-39L from the Soviet Air Force. No unit or pilot is given. Next are two P-39Ds, one from the 67 FS/347 FG on Guadalcanal in 1943. From Alaska is a 57 FS/54 FG P-39D. Both are rather bland with little to distinguish them in terms of markings other than an aircraft number and serial. Decals are toast and completely unusable. I have included an image from a later boxing so you can see what is provided. Fortunately there are a lot of aftermarket decals for the P-39 so it shouldn't be a major issue.
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CONCLUSIONS |
While not molded in the style of the newer Eduard or Arma Hobby kit, the Monogram P-39 is still a kit that makes into a super model. When one adds in the fact that it can be found for a quarter of what the others cost, then it makes it a much more attractive prospect to the modeler on the budget.
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