1/32 Special Hobby P-39D Airacobra
by Phillip Friddell

Image 01

The model is my Special Hobby P-39D in 1/32 scale, pretty much stock with the following exceptions:

  • Cockpit, nose gear well, and some exterior components enhanced with Eduard aftermarket.
  • MLG wells replaced with CMK landing gear set.
  • .50 cal nose guns replaced with brass tube, blast covers from Eduard.
  • 20mm cannon scratch-built from brass tube.
  • .30 cal wing guns replaced with 1/48 scale QuickBoost .50 cal barrels. The size differential between a 1/48 scale .50 and a 1/32 scale .30 is virtually nil! The barrels worked perfectly!
  • NLG strut extended 3/16 inch to get that P-39 "sit".
  • Radio substantially modified. Several different types were used on the P-39 series. I'm not certain the one given by SH is correct for the D-1s used by the 8th FG.
  • Radio antenna added from stretched sprue.
  • Kit decals used (no aftermarket available until the week I finished it!!!). Very light weathering and fading was done.

© Phillip Friddell 2008