Jump to content

1:48 RAAF Bell P39F Airacobra


Dunny

Recommended Posts

Hi All,

 

Here is my take on Eduard's lovely Bell Airacobra. This was the Profipack edition, so everything was pretty much OOB, with the exception of some Red Roo decals to complete the aircraft as an RAAF version. Here is the (rather truncated) WIP if anyone is interested:

 

 

I chose to complete as A53-6, belonging to 82 Sqn RAAF, based at RAAF Bankstown, Sydney in August 1943. Prior to this build I was not even aware that the RAAF had flown Airacobras, so it was all a journey of discovery. Only 22 Airacobras made it into RAAF service at a time when they were desperate to procure combat-ready aircraft. Here's a photo of the actual aircraft, which force-landed following engine failure:

 

crashed-p-39-airacobra-of-82-sqn-raaf.jp

 

The Red Roo scheme has the aircraft finished in Olive Drab and Extra Dark Sea Grey over RAAF Sky Blue. Although there is some speculation over the accuracy of this scheme, I thought it would look pretty cool so followed Red Roos' robust research! The cockpit was finished in Bronze Green, with the remaining internals in Zinc Chromate Yellow (based on @Dana Bell's sage advice). I've chosen to do minimal weathering, as I'm not sure the aircraft even saw combat. Following its crash the aircraft was repaired and returned to the US Army's 5th Airforce, from whence it originally came.

 

I thought I'd packed sufficient lead into the forward u/c bay, but she ended up being a tail sitter - the eagle-eyed amongst you may detect the presence of a large lump of lead visible in said bay - ho hum.

 

The kit itself is lovely and vice-free, and I would highly recommend it. Despite the reckless encouragement of @corsaircorp and @bigbadbadge, I've decided I'm definitely better as a serial builder, although I'll now be straight back onto the CAC Boomerang. Anyways, on to the pics:

 

20201129-180532.jpg

 

20201129-180541.jpg

 

20201129-180554.jpg

 

20201129-180606.jpg

 

20201129-180724.jpg

 

20201129-180803.jpg

 

20201129-180820.jpg

 

All in all a very enjoyable build, and an interesting addition to the collection of a very unusual and innovative aircraft!

 

Thanks for looking,

 

Roger

  • Like 34
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi Roger

Hope you are well fella. Good to see you have completed this model.  It was CC who made me do it  honest!!!.

I think I am having some Internet problems as o can't see the photos at the moment so will check on them later on. 

Be good to see the Boomerang underway again. 

Chris

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 minutes ago, bigbadbadge said:

Hi Roger

Hope you are well fella. Good to see you have completed this model.  It was CC who made me do it  honest!!!.

I think I am having some Internet problems as o can't see the photos at the moment so will check on them later on. 

Be good to see the Boomerang underway again. 

Chris

Thanks Chris - good to be back in the saddle. It's been a busy few weeks and mojo has been diminished as a result. If it's any consolation, I think CC makes everyone do it 😉

 

Cheers,

 

Roger

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hello Roger, hello Chris, 

Who ?? Me ??:door:

Sorry but the pic cannot be seen, I'll try later,

The best I can see is a micro pixel 

Now I'm sure that you did great !! I worked on the boomer yersterday too

And apart of the Boomer, what's on the bench... :rofl2:???

See  you soon !!

CC

  • Like 1
  • Haha 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 minutes ago, corsaircorp said:

Hello Roger, hello Chris, 

Who ?? Me ??:door:

Sorry but the pic cannot be seen, I'll try later,

The best I can see is a micro pixel 

Now I'm sure that you did great !! I worked on the boomer yersterday too

And apart of the Boomer, what's on the bench... :rofl2:???

See  you soon !!

CC

Thanks CC - I can see pics fine (on a different device from where I posted). Looking forward to seeing your sharkmouth soon!

 

Cheers,

 

Roger

Link to comment
Share on other sites

7 hours ago, swralph said:

Looks great.😀

 

5 hours ago, Quiet Mike said:

That's a very neat build Roger, you've done it justice!

 

4 hours ago, Gary Brantley said:

Great work for sure!   Thanks for sharing her mate!  🍻

 

4 hours ago, 112 Squadron said:

Nice built! I was also not aware that the P-39 ever served with the RAAF. Indeed, an interesting color scheme.  

 

4 hours ago, russ c said:

Really nice `cobra there, looks great in that scheme too!

 

4 hours ago, Pete in Lincs said:

Add me to the ignorant list. At least they gave it a try. From what I've read, they could be tricky little blighters.

Lovely model though. It looks good in those markings.

 

1 hour ago, SAT69 said:

A fine looking model indeed!

Thanks for all the kind words folks - much appreciated!

 

Cheers,

 

Roger

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well, now I can see the pics !!

You really raised the bar !! Lots of pressure now !!

I hope that I will do half as good !!

Still waiting for the decals to arrive !! Maldito Bugos !!

Postmen are engulfed by work since the lockdown...

So I just have to be patient !!

Once again Congratulations !! Real good cobra !!

Sincerely.

CC

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 minutes ago, corsaircorp said:

Well, now I can see the pics !!

You really raised the bar !! Lots of pressure now !!

I hope that I will do half as good !!

Still waiting for the decals to arrive !! Maldito Bugos !!

Postmen are engulfed by work since the lockdown...

So I just have to be patient !!

Once again Congratulations !! Real good cobra !!

Sincerely.

CC

Thanks for the kind words Alain - I'm sure it's not the Australian Post Office 😉

 

Good luck with the sharkmouths!

 

Cheers,

 

Roger

 

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

49 minutes ago, Sky Keg said:

Very nice Roger and I like the flight line that the Cobra is based on. 😉 :like:

 

Mike

Thanks for the kind words Mike. I have this very morning ordered myself a lightbox - the current set-up really wasn't cutting it 🤣

 

Cheers,

 

Roger

  • Haha 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

7 hours ago, Sky Keg said:

Very nice Roger and I like the flight line that the Cobra is based on. 😉 :like:

 

Mike

Hey Mike !

It's a luxury flightline !! Polished marble !!

It's far better than my cutting mat :rofl2::rofl2: And the kitchen radiator of my RFI....:rofl2::rofl2:

CC

  • Haha 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...