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Hi All! I built another quarantined plane. Eastern Expres/TOKO. Completed in a week. Pleasant viewing!

After the 1/48th kits (link), Dora Wings is to release a 1/72nd Bell P-63 Kingcobra family. More: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=2106721216225111&id=1929101897320378 - ref. 72005 - Bell P-63E-1 Kingcobra - ref. 72006 - Bell TP-63E Kingcobra - ref. DW72010 - Bell P-63A Kingcobra Racer (Sohio Handicap) Source: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2118881271675772.1073741866.1929101897320378&type=3 Box art V.P.

Modelsvit has announced a new design and molds 1/48th Bell P-63A Kingcobra kit - ref.4815 So at first sight nothing in common with the recent Dora Wings Kingcobra kits (link). Time will tell. Source: https://www.facebook.com/modelsvit/posts/2317027111899660 V.P.

Arsenal Model Group (AMG) is to release new tool families of 1/48th and later 1/72nd (thread is here: link) Bell P-63 Kingcobra kits. 1/48th first boxing is expected for this Summer. To be followed. Sources: http://amg-models.net/2017/01/17/bell-p-63a-kingcobra/ http://amg-models.net/2017/01/17/bell-p-63c-kingcobra/ http://amg-models.net/2017/01/17/bell-p-63e-kingcobra/ http://amg-models.net/ 3D renders The Bell P-63 Kingcobra is an American fighter aircraft developed by Bell Aircraft in World War II from the Bell P-39 Airacobra in an attempt to correct that aircraft’s deficiencies. Although the P-63 was not accepted for combat use by the United States Army Air Forces, it was successfully adopted by the Soviet Air Force.[2] The production model Bell Model 33; 1725 P-63As produced in various sub-marks. P-63C Second production series differed from the P-63A by being powered by the uprated Allison V-1710-117 engine with a war emergency rating of 1,500 hp (1,120 kW) at sea level and 1,800 hp (1,340 kW) with water injection. The wingspan was reduced by 10 inches (250 mm). A total production run of 1,227 was completed P-63E Essentially similar to the P-63D with the exception of a ventral fin extension and the use of a standard “cab”-style cockpit; only 13 built. V.P.

Well I've had a idea for this GB for a little while but I have been more keen since I acquired Eduard's lovely P-39 Dual Combo pack. It was a very interesting and innovative aircraft for it's time and was really liked (the Soviets loved them) or hated. It was pretty useless above 17,000 ft but devastating at lower altitudes when in use by the Soviets. Nearly 10,000 were produced and was used by 8 different countries during and after the war. I would also like to include the P-63 Kingcobra in this build as well although very similar they didn't share any components, but it is really the ultimate expression of the P-39 design. They built 3,300 of them and they were used by 4 countries, though the majority were used by the Soviets even to the early 50's (they were even given a NATO code name "Fred") There was a Navy tail sitting prototype, Airbonita as well as a couple of swept wing prototypes as well. For me if this gets up of course i'll be building a RAAF one. ok, I'd better start a list.... 1, trickyrich - host 2, SleeperService 3, vppelt68 - co-host 4, Arniec 5, old thumber 6, Stew Dapple 7, S48 8, Knight_Flyer 9, Joss 10, zegeye 11, Ronan71 12, dazdot 13, MadNurseGaz 14, gingerbob 15, Caerbannog 16, EricP 17, franky boy 18, modelling minion 19, John Thompson 20, TEMPESTMK5 21, Basilisk 22, Avereda 23, TonyTiger66 24, Thud4444 25, rob85 26, Corsairfoxfouruncle 27, Antonie 28, Wellzy 29, 30,

Bell P-63A/C Kingcobra (14401) 1:144 Dora Wings The P-39 was developed to meet a proposal in 1937 for a single engine high altitude interceptor having the tactical mission of interception and attack of hostile aircraft at high altitude. Specifications called for a level airspeed of 360mph at altitude, and a climb to 20,000 feet in under 6 minutes. Armament was to be heavy including a cannon, the engine was to be liquid cooled, and the aircraft was to feature a tricycle undercarriage. Bell had previously designed the YFM-1 Aracuda featuring a mid-fuselage mounted engine to free up space for a large calibre 37mm cannon which would fire through the propeller hub. This was unusual as fighters were normally designed around an engine, not a weapons system. The Bell XP-39 would make its maiden flight in April of 1938 reaching 20000 feet in 5 minutes and maintain 390 mph. However it was found that top speed at 20000 feet was lower than the original proposed 400 mph. Bell would change the aircraft configuration for production to remove the turbo charger so production aircraft were only fitted with a single-stage, single-speed supercharger. Its been argued that Bell did this to save money, though its been said that testing showed aerodynamic issues with it. As a result production aircraft performance declined above 12000 feet and it was never able to serve as a medium level let alone high level aircraft. The RAF ordered the aircraft based on the XP-39 specifications however limitations of the "new" aircraft became apparent, and despite modifications it never was deemed acceptable. Only one Squadron No. 601 would use the aircraft operationally. All UK based aircraft would be sent to Russia, along with aircraft being built under contract in the US. In contrast to the UK, the USSR appreciated the P-39, although they would use it primarily in the ground attack role. The tactical environment of the Eastern front suited a low speed, low altitude aircraft much better. As well as in ground attack the USSR developed successful group aerial fighting tactics for the aircraft. 5 out of the 10 high scoring Soviet aces scored a majority of kills flying P-39's. Contrary to popular myth the Soviets did not use the aircraft for Tank Busting as the US did not supply any armour piercing rounds for the aircraft. A total of 4758 aircraft we sent to Russia. Following on from the P-39 the USAAF wanted a larger aircraft based on the same principal design, this was originally designated the XP-63. The wing was larger with a laminar airflow design and the engine gained a second turbocharger which was remotely mounted to augment the principle unit. The USAAF concluded that the new aircraft was inferior to the Mustang and decided against adopting the type. However as the Russian had shown a liking for, and were the biggest users of the P-39 it was ordered into production as a lease-lend aircraft for them. The Soviets had input into the design and added more armour, extra fuel tanks, and underwing hard points. Bell was happy to do this due to the number of aircraft the Soviets were taking. In later models the cannon was moved forward changing the centre of gravity and allowing more ammunition to be carried. Over 70% of production would reach the USSR. The French Air Force would later get 114 aircraft which arrived to late for WWII but would see service in Frech Indo Chinna. These were mothballed on arrival of the Grumman Bearcat. Post WWII some aircraft were purchased as surplus and made into Air Racers. The Kit Dora Wings is a new company to us, and have kindly agreed to send samples for review. Kits in 1.144 are new to Dora Wings, this being their first, and they have kindly provided us with a sample in advance of them being on sale. Being 1.144 you get two kits n the pack. The kits do not have a mass of parts, but they are detailed for the scale. Construction starts with the cockpit, the front ad rear bulkheads are installed with the seat moulded in. The nose gear is installed on the underside of this part. The fuselage can then be closed up. The wings can then be made up and attached to the fuselage, this is followed by the tailplanes. The canopy can be put on along then with the front gear doors. On the underside of the aircraft the main gear can be fitted along with the tanks and gun pods if needed. Last up the prop & spinner are added. Markings Decals are printed in house and appear to have no issues. An impressive 9 decal options have been provided. P-63C Soviet lease lend aircraft, USSR 1944. P-63C Soviet lease lend aircraft, USSR 1945 "Bell Booby TRAP" painted by unknown American Mechanic. P-63C SC44126 Glendale, 1946. P-63C French Air Force, "Normandie-Nieman" French Indochina 1950. P-63C French Air Force, "Lle France" French Indochina 1950. RP-63A Pinball 1947 (All over yellow). P-63A "55" Winner Sohio Handicap Trophy Race 1948. P-63C "Tucker SPECIAL" Thompson Trophy Race 1946. P-63C "4""Join The Navy Reserve" Sohio Handicap Trophy Race 1948. Conclusion It is good to see a new company producing new aircraft in this scale as fans of 1:144 appear to have less choice than other scales. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Bell P-63E Kingcobra (72005) 1:72 Dora Wings The P-39 Airacobra was deemed to be a damp squib by the US, although the Russian pilots thought well of it, as it suited their needs, but Bell tried to improve the aircraft by basing their attempts on the more suitable P-39E with a redesigned wing, engine and the inclusion of a supercharger that was omitted from the original Airacobra in order to save money, which inevitably affected high altitude performance. The resulting airframe was so much different and noticeably larger, so was renamed and given the designation P-63A by the military, who ordered it into production toward the end of 1942, which was the main in-service variant. In an attempt to improve performance it progressed to the D variant, which was the basis for the P-63E, but with a return to the cab-door canopy, and a ventral fin extension to improve stability. Only 13 Es were built, and the project stuttered to a halt from there. The Kit Dora Wings is a new company to us, and have kindly agreed to send samples for review. Mike reviewed the 1:48 version of this kit here, however as he is not a proponent of the "one true scale" he has left it to me to introduce this one. The kit arrives on six small sprues of plastic, a clear sprue; and provides a PE sheet and a set of masks. Very much the complete package, Construction starts in the cockpit area the seat and bulkheads being made up and attached to the floor, the rear radio area is also made up. The front bulkhead with the instrument panel is made up and attached. The instructions have you add the front landing gear at this stage, though you may well be advised to see if you can leave it off for addition later. The indies for the front gear well are also then added to the other side of the cockpit floor. Construction then moves to the wings with the main gear wells and radiators being installed, the drop tanks are also built up at this time. The wings can then be closed up, Flaps and the air intake are also built up at this time. The fuselage is then closed up around the cockpit and the side exhausts added. The top air intake can then be added. On the wings the flaps are added, and at the tail end the tail planes and rudder are added. To finish The main gears, canopy and propeller are added along with the drop tanks and underwing guns. Last part on is the cockpit door and top aerial. Markings Decals are provided for 6 aircraft. 311721 USAF 311720 USAF 311727USAF N9003R Civil registration 401 Honduran Air Force 402 Honduran Air Force The decals are printed by in house and would appear to have no issues , its worth noting that the USAF never used the aircraft and the USAF markings are probably for delivery flights to the Honduran Air Force. Conclusion The P-63 came along at a time when the attention was focused more on the nascent jet age, so it gathered little attention, and many folks probably couldn't even tell the difference between it and the P-39 unless they were side-by-side. That said, it's an appealing aircraft, and as a model it looks like it will go together pretty well. It's a shame there weren't more variations on colour schemes, but as there were only a few airframes built in this configuration, it's hardly surprising. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Hi, A small break in Japanese series. More close into the mainstream. Bell piston fighters of WWII: P39L Airacobra and P63C3 Kingcobra, Heller and Toko (short run), respectively. Both in 1/72. Airacobra is in markings of 98 sq. 81 Fighter Gr USAF, Tunis 1943 Kingcobra is from unknown (to me) unit of VVS, likely 1944. Comments welcome Regards Jerzy-Wojtek Airacobra: And Kingcobra:

1/32nd Bell P-63 Kingcobra resin kit by HpH http://amg.cdc.cz/kat69.html Price: 3.100,- CZK = +/- £ 110,00 http://amg.cdc.cz/ V.P