P-39 Question

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

I’m thinking of building a 1/32 P-39D or F, but my options seem to be the Revell D model, or the Eduard(which I would prefer) Q model or P-400. Could anyone advise on the differences between the different models, and on the quality of the kits, especially the Revell offering? I know about the smaller cannon on the P-400, but what other differences were there visually or in the cockpit between the models?

2

Hey Chris, without any references Im dont know the finer differences between the different models. You do have at least 2 additional choices in kits. There is the Special Hobby and Kitty hawk kits in addition to the ones you mentioned

3

The three main external visual differences on types will be armament, exhaust stacks, and propellor type. Even among the D series there will be armament variations into the nose cannon. Besides the P-400, the D-1 and D-2 used the 20mm nose gun. Exhaust stacks can be six or twelve per side, and on the six per side type can vary between standard round type or “fishtail” type. Wing armament on most versions was two .30 caliber guns in each wing, except for the Q, which deleted the internal dual .30 caliber guns from each wing and instead had single podded .50 caliber guns under each wing. Propellors were increased in diameter and blade width as variants were introduced. Check your specific aircraft and sub type for details of that version.

http://www.airvectors.net/avp39.html

http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_fighters/p39.html

4

I built the Revell P-39 a few years ago. It is a wonderful kit (especially when augmented with the Eduard BigEd PE set). It is also a repop from the Special Hobby kit.

https://www.scalemates.com/kits/revell-04868-p-39d-airacobra--154821

5

Thanks, I wasn’t aware of those two

6

Thanks. I have a reasonable knowledge of the P-39, but I was not aware of some of that, especially that some early D’s had the 20mm, and the differences in props. Mine will be one of the couple of dozen used by the RAAF, and I have Red Roo’s book on them on the way.

7

Well that’s a new one to me. I had no idea that the RAAF had used the Airacobra. Here is a link to some info on the type in RAAF service, complete with photos and individual aircraft records.

https://www.destinationsjourney.com/historical-military-photographs/bell-p-39-airacobra-in-raaf-service/

8

Here is an easy to use chart showing the obvious differences between versions. Just disregard it being based on Eduard’s 1/48 P-39s.

http://www.clubhyper.com/reference/p39variantsms_1.htm

9

That’s brilliant. Thanks.