Eduard 1/48 Bell Airacobra Mk.I - RAF brief service

[Dave Ward]

By popular vote - The Eduard P-39 Airacobra - well known, but modelled not very often!

This was an ebay purchase, shabby box, parts off the sprue, two missing parts ( optional flattened tyres ), a missing decal ( for the P-400 ), annotated instructions & colour profiles, none of which are relevant to the RAF Mk.1 version that I'm doing. Those missing things probably rule it out as a collectors' item, but mean nothing to me.
A few sprue shots - not many, as it's a simple model!

A few detail shots

Note - no locating pins.......................
The canopy, masking & the cast noseweight

The extensive PE fret - I doubt I'll use some of the small bits


The decal sheet - with one missing inconsequential bit!

Instructions & marking variants - not full colour in 2000!

There are a fair amount of parts that are not needed, exhaust stubs, 4 bladed propeller, bombs etc.
It's a comparatively simple model, the most difficult part will be the rather complicated instrument panel, different for every variant!
I'll start construction in a day or so...................
Dave

[papa 695]

Oh did this one win Dave?
looking forward to seeing this.

[Jim R]

Hi Dave
Well the way the vote went you didn't have much choice but to build this. Looks a decent enough kit.
Jim

[Dave Ward]

The Airacobra in RAF service was only with 601 Squadron - from August 1941 - they flew one operational mission on 9th October, and that was it they were withdrawn in December.
The P-39 had been touted as an interceptor, but the speed, handling & climb rate were poor compared to the Spitfire Mk.Vb - the type had a long take off roll. Serviceability was poor, but it was a new type. One odd feature was that the compass packed up if the 20mm cannon was fired.! I can't help thinking that trying to bail out would have been tricky, especially if you were on the tall side!
All the Airacobras on order for the RAF saw service elsewhere, in the USAAF as the P-400, and a lot to the Soviet AF, who seemed to like it!
Dave

[scottie3158]

Count me in Dave, it's one of those planes that looks like it should have performed better.

[stona]

Good choice, we don't see so many of these.

The problem for the P-39 was that the turbo-supercharger was removed from the prototype leaving the Allison V-12 with just the integral single stage supercharger. The best that could be done with successive engine models was to improve power at medium altitudes. It hamstrung many otherwise good fighters which were Allison powered.

The P-39 D could make a respectable 360 mph at 12,000 feet, but above that power and performance dropped away quite rapidly.

The later N and Q models could make 375 mph up to about 20,000 feet, which is not bad, unless you are trying to fight above 25,000 feet :smiling3:

The Russians did like it, but a lot of their missions were at altitudes far more suited to the type.

[Lee Drennen]

Nice Dave. I’ll be dropping in on the updates

[minitnkr]

I believe the P38 had the same initial problems with altitude that were subsequently reduced. The Russians used the P39 as ground support & a tank killer where it seemed effective. PaulE

[Dave Ward]

Off and running - whilst the 'sea' is drying on the Knyaz Suvorov, construction starts on the Airacobra. The cockpit major assembles are added to the stbd fuselage, to line everything up.


I now have an alternative, I can add the fiddly PE seatbelts etc, or I can add the pilot..................

With a bit of careful painting, I'm sure he can look like an RAF bod. I haven't decided yet...................
Dave

[adt70hk]

Personally I'd go for the pilot Dave. I like to see pilots because, without one, a plane of by this vintage can't fly. Just my opinion of course.

[papa 695]

Nice start Dave, myself I’d go with the pilot.

[Dave Ward]

I'm going with the pilot - there's some very tiny PE bits that will be hidden with him in the way - and I can save the 1/48 seat belts for something else - maybe my Spitfire Mk.VII?
Dave

[Dave Ward]

One part of the Eduard Airacobra that isn't too good - the instrument panel.....................

It needs careful study - and more important locating & identifying the tiny parts on the PE fret. I can see that some parts will be left out - to save my sanity!
Dave

[Dave Ward]

Well, after persevering with the instrument panels, I can honestly say It wasn't worth it - a plastic part, painted & dry brushed would look as good, and take a tenth of the time. One of the latest pre-coloured Eduard instrument panels would be a real improvement.
The quite hefty noseweight is a snug fit between two bulkheads - the fuselage is just about ready to close up, just a few items & decals to add

It's a bit unfair, bitching about the PE instrument panel, the model is from 2000, and Eduard were one of the first makers to include it in their kits. The plastic parts are an excellent fit, very little clean up needed!
Dave

[Guest]

Looking good Dave!

Further confirmation of my suspicions....cockpit PE is mainly for the builder and not really for show!