1/48 Eduard Profipack P400 Airacobra

[Faraway]

Well. That's that then. It was a fun build with not too many problems, although I have to say that the decals were THE thinest I have ever had to apply. They actually didn't need softening to get them to conform to panel lines. I chose this paint scheme as it was 'different'. And it just shows you what can be done in wartime, when needs must.

I think my end result was ok and I think I'm improving.

Anyway, a bit of history and then the piccys.

Jon

 

67th FS, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, November 1942.

P-400 listed in the squadron records as "Old 13" was one of the few original Airacobras delivered to 67th FS in the spring of 1942 and still serving on Guadalcanal in the beginning of 1943. Primitive conditions on the remote Pacific airbases and lack of spare parts and aircraft forced the ground crew into many improvisations. Textbook example is the "Old 13" Airacobra story which had already crash landed during her service on New Caledonia and her wreck was cannibalised for the spare parts. 67th FS heavy loses after its transfer to Guadalcanal and the critical lack of aircraft on the island caused the abandoned Airacobra wreck to be restored to the airworthy condition after a complex repair.

The aircraft received a new wing and also a number of many fuselage panels and hatches had to be replaced.According to the surviving repair record the replacement parts were painted in Olive Drab & Neutral Grey colours and therefore the Airacobra sported a unique display of the British and American camouflage shades. Further the more powerful engine was installed and a damaged propeller blade replaced by another one, balanced by pouring molten lead into its tip. The repaired Airacobra was christened "The Resurrection"and this inscription was painted on both sides of the fuselage. (This information was taken from the kit build instructions)

 

 

[SAT69]

That's sharp looking! Very well done and the markings are truly unique! Fair to say it's an attention getter.   

[Vinnie]

A nice unusual presentation. Just wonder if the pilot had any misgivings about flying such a patched up aircraft into combat.

[Faraway]

3 hours ago, Vinnie said:

A nice unusual presentation. Just wonder if the pilot had any misgivings about flying such a patched up aircraft into combat.

You and me both, you can just imagine the guys who rebuilt the aircraft watching it take off, all standing hands behind backs, with fingers crossed. I would be interesting to try and find out what happened to it.

[RMCS]

Lovley