SPA Modeler

Having been inspired by Chris's and Tom's recent builds - I really fancy building a 1/48th kit, it's been blooming ages. Having had a mooch through my paltry selection of quarter scale aircraft - I chose this beast...



So far I've assembled the internal structure (i.e. the nose gear bay) and the cockpit. I've also assembled the main gear bays and the wing radiator intakes etc. Everything is taped together at the moment to help with alignment.



Should be a fun build - I've always liked the P-39 but have never built one. The fit of the kit so far is excellent. I'm not going with the box art scheme, but one with a red spinner and tail tip.



Such a cool looking aircraft.

My builds have been terrible for stalling and taking eons this year. I'm hoping to get this one done in short order. It'll be nice to get back into 1/48, as 1/72's not really floating my boat at the moment. If I get on well with this I'll crack on with the Tamiya P-38.

Cheers!

Unique bird. Mid engine, car door, tricycle gear and a cannon in the spinner.

I remember building the old vintage Monogram P-39 Airacobra kit as a 12 year old kid. Hand painted the camo scheme Tan and Dark Green.

Other than the Heller 1/72 P-39, the only variant I have built in recent years was the MPM P-63A. I'm thinking compared to it the Eduard, Monogram, and ProModeler kits should be a breeze.

LOL! I suspect you're right John.

I remember Jon Bius did a Monogram/Eduard P-39 dual build back in the Agape day. He was pretty complimentary to both kits. He's still got the build reports on his blog.

https://www.jonbius.com/2013/02/08/buil ... d-edition/

https://www.jonbius.com/2013/02/13/buil ... -148-p-39/

Cheers!

keavdog wrote: ↑Sat Nov 23, 2024 3:32 pm Unique bird. Mid engine, car door, tricycle gear and a cannon in the spinner.

Yep - it's definitely a beast!

BlackSheep214 wrote: ↑Sat Nov 23, 2024 3:54 pm I remember building the old vintage Monogram P-39 Airacobra kit as a 12 year old kid. Hand painted the camo scheme Tan and Dark Green.

That's cool Tom. That's a great kit by all accounts.

Nice choice Stuart. The P-39 is a nice looking bird I do agree.
My favorite P-39 kit and markings is this right here:

cbaltrin wrote: ↑Sat Nov 23, 2024 7:52 pm Nice choice Stuart. The P-39 is a nice looking bird I do agree.
My favorite P-39 kit and markings is this right here:

That was a later rebox Monogram kit (1983ish?) of my first Airacobra kit. I did the shark mouth version.

images host add

One of the pilots in my guard unit flew P-39's on the Pacific. He survived a shoot down but all he could remember was falling through the air in his seat, the rest of the airplane was gone.

Great start Stuart. I built the Accurate Miniatures kit, which is a rebox of the Eduard kit. Quite enjoyable.

3 things.
Prop blades and exhaust. Multiple variations make sure you use what ones you need

Weight in the nose. Put it everywhere

The car doors don't curve the same as the fuselage canopy, you'll have to work to get them to close. Or do like I did and keep them open