1:48 MONOGRAM P-39 AIRACOBRA!
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'GROUND-POUNDER'!
Bell's extraordinary P-39 Airacobra was used to deadly effect for ground strafing and 'tank busting' by American and Russian pilots during the Second World War. Several variants were developed and the kit includes sufficient parts to create either fighter; fighter bomber or ground attack versions. Crystal-clear transparencies include an unobtrusive 'tail-prop' for the rear fuselage to balance the model on all three wheels without recourse to nose weights. The box is somewhat careworn but all contents are complete and in VGC. Includes a rare Eduard MA PE detail set designed specifically for this kit.
*CONTAINS PE DETAIL PARTS!
OF the many successful fighter aircraft designs to emerge from WWII, the USAF's Bell P-39 Airacobra was the most radical. Armed with six machine guns and a centrally-mounted 20mm or 37mm cannon in front of an Allison powerplant situated behind the pilot's cockpit, the 'cobra packed a powerful punch. Monogram's 1:48 scale kit was first issued in 1969 and included sufficient parts and decals to build any one of these four versions: P-400; P-39D-1; P-39D-2 and P-39L-such multiple options being fairly uncommon for kits of this period. Our example is in very good condition (the entire contents that is-the box has admittedly seen better days!) and is complete with all the parts still held to their runners apart from an errant tailplane that has been cast adrift in the polybag.
Writing in the fourth edition of Scale Models (January 1987), resident IPMS pundit R C 'Bob' Jones had this to say: ''Moulded in dark green plastic of the usual high quality associated with Monogram products,the surface detail on the numerous component parts is excellent,while the fit of these is, as usual, of the very finest.'' No argument there...
Decals for the quartet of colour scheme options remain in good condition considering their age with three US Army Airacobras and one of the 4000 lend-lease P-39s employed for 'tank-busting' by the Russians. Comprehensive, superbly-illustrated instructions clarify the build and the model can be displayed with the precision-fitting engine and cannon bay panels left off to reveal plenty of realistic and busy detail within. The cockpit area is similarly open for inspection courtesy of the separate starboard door option.
**As a bonus, our kit comes with a rare Eduard MA accessories set (No.48-175) containing a plethora of extras adding even greater finesse to what is already a top-notch kit...
