P-400 Airacobra cockpit question

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

Hello

All

I am building a P-400 Airacobra for the Weekend and Pacific GB’s but have run into a question. There is a piece behind the pilot’s seat, behind the pilots head, that is molded clear but I cannot find it in my reference. So is this supposed to be clear or paint?

I think it might be the bullet proof plate.

Thanks in advance…

Scott

2

Aint no expert on this bird, but I think it is supposed to be clear;

Forward left view of a Bell P-39 Airacobra at rest; color

3

It’s armored glass. Check out my cockpit on the AM 1/48th P-400 in the Guadalcanal GB. Which kit are you building?

4

Eduard’s P-400 1/48 scale Weekend Edition.

5

As stated, its armored glass. You need to mask off the window portion of the piece [both sides], then the frame around it gets painted with the cockpit color. They did it thinking it was easier than trying to put a clear window into the frame.

6

Y’all know who that is on the left don’t ya?[8D]

7

No. Who?

8

it’s Major G. W. Phillips, intel officer for the 67th Fighter Squadron when they were at Guadalcanal.

9

What would the point be of having a rear window if there was a solid bulkhead behind you blocking visibility. Armored glass, several inches thick. Other than air speed and altitude, visibility is the edge a fighter pilot depends on. Last to see, first to die.