Makin Island P-39Q Airacobra

NB: This page has been updated with new photos. The previous photos were not up to an acceptable standard. They were a fialed experiment with handholding the camera. I got the tripod out for these. Much sharper and much better depth of field.

It has been six weeks since I commenced this model, and it is finally completed.  Not that it took  month and a half.  Other activities took much of the time.

This is my third Arma kit.  Some of the parts are very tiny and very easy to lose, so caution is necessary.  The detail of the parts is exceptional.  As mentioned in my previous post, I was fortunate to order the kit prior to its release, so Arma included some 3D printed parts which included the most detailed 1/72 scale seat (with belts molded in) I have ever had the pleasure of using.

Arma supplies three steel ball bearings to weight the nose so the model will not be a tail-sitter.  As I was getting to the end and attaching all the small bits and pieces, I came to a place where I had only the prop and the cockpit doors to attach.  And the model was sitting on its tail!  I was not pleased.  But once I glued the prop and the doors on, it sat on its tricycle landing gear.  That is great engineering on Arma’s part to weight the model so precisely.

I liked the unusual color scheme for an Airacobra stationed on Makin Island in the Gilberts.  The color was unusual;  however, I could not find a match for it anywhere.  I settled for Vallejo Model Air 71.143 UK Light Stone.

These Arma kits are a real pleasure to build and display.  The finished models have exceptional presence on the display shelf.

Thank you for dropping by.

Arma Hobby P-39Q Airacobra 1/72 Scale

The last few evenings I have been able to have a couple of building sessions and have made a start on this excellent kit.  I am opting for the color scheme of some Makin Island Airacobras.  They were a type of tan on top and azure blue underneath.  It will be different.

As you can see by that quarter, it is small.  It is a typical Arma product, i.e., very well designed and executed.  The fit is flawless.  The detail is excellent.  Like I have said before, Arma kits are 1/48 scale kits produced in 1/72 scale. (The little round piece is the propeller mount that is sandwiched in the nose.) This is my best guess on “Bell Green”. Who really knows? There was no FS number.

Since I pre-ordered the kit directly from Arma, they included a 3D printed pilot seat as a bonus.  This was my first experience with a 3D printed part.  Cutting it loose was so much easier than many resin parts.  There are many attachment points, but being plastic, they are easily dealt with.  These  parts are certainly the wave of the future.

It is Christmas Eve and the festivities are soon to get underway.  Merry Christmas to all!

Academy F-86F Sabre “Korean War”, 1/72 scale

The F86 is one of the iconic symbols of American aviation during the Korean War.  Future astronaut , Marine Major John Glenn, flew one during the conflict when Marine pilots were on detached service with the USAF.

And, they soldiered on for many years in the service of other countries.  I took this photo in the late 1960’s in Korea at Kimpo.  I was flying out on a very old Constellation flown by Flying Tiger Airlines in route to Taiwan when we were halted at the end of the runway waiting for traffic to clear.  This fellow suddenly appeared and obviously possessed a greater priority for take off.  I snapped this photo.  Notice that there are Sidewinder launch rails under the wings near the fuselage.  The aircraft appeared to be well used.

I have been disappointed by some Academy 1/72 scale kits, and I am always disappointed by their decals – except this kit which was a “Special Edition”.  The decals for this kit were printed by Cartograph and were excellent.  The are three markings:  The Huff, John Glenn’s Mig Mad Marine and one other.

I am not sure about the origin of this kit.  The scalemates.com chart was not clear, but I think it originated in the 1980’s.  It appears to be a molding of that vintage.

None the less, it is  nice kit that goes together quickly with no huge issues.  I built this kit as part of my interest in Korean War aviation.

This will be my last completed model for 2022.  The Arma Hobby P-39Q Airacobra is on the workbench now.  However, Christmas guests will be arriving soon, and I will be taking a break from the workbench.

A few months ago I pre-ordered the Kotare Supermarine Spitfire MkI hoping it would be here by now.  I have just received email informing me that production is being delayed due to supply chain issues (ask me if I was surprised), and it looks like a month or two more.  I immediately emailed Kotare and said I understood, let the order stand and I will wait for it to arrive when ready.  Imagine a Wingnut Wings kit of a WWII fighter, especially the aircraft that saved the West from a new dark age.  (I don’t think I am overstating that.)

There is much to look forward to in 2023.

Thanks for stopping by.