Revell 1/72 P-39 Airacobra

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.

This was part of a three kit boxing called Pacific Sky Fighters. I had built the other two kits in the distant past and only had the P-39 left to preview. Standard for the day was raised panel lines and rivets. The kit also includes a 'working' feature in that there is an engine half that can be displayed by popping off the engine cover on the left side.

There is a rudimentary cockpit and you have a figure you can place in the seat. The basic construction of the kit is fairly standard for low wing fighters in that there is a lower wing and two upper halves. There is no gear well detail at all, just openings in the lower wing. Pretty much the same for the nose gear. There is, however, plenty of room in the nose for weight. This is a later model P-39, perhaps a P-39N or early Q as it has a three blade prop and gun pods.

Instructions have a section for each of the kits in the set and there is a set of decals which are pretty useless. These are for one plane and only provide a serial number and insignia.  

Other than for a nostalgia build, modelers wanting a 1/72 P-39 will be looking at Academy or Arma Hobby or Hobby Boss or some other more modern release. I built quite a few of these back in the day and other than a bit of a misshapen spinner, it makes into a presentable P-39.  

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bell_P-39_Airacobra

June 2024

Copyright ModelingMadness.com. All rights reserved. No reproduction in part or in whole without express permission from the editor.