Eduard P-39K/N
Weekend Edition

Eduard, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by David Couche

Eduard's 1/48 scale Bf 109 E-3 is available on sale from Squadron.com for only $21.99!

The P-39 was developed to meet a proposal in 1937 for a single engine high altitude interceptor having the tactical mission of interception and attack of hostile aircraft at high altitude. Specifications called for a level airspeed of 360mph at altitude, and a climb to 20,000 feet in under 6 minutes. Armament was to be heavy including a cannon, the engine was to be liquid cooled, and the aircraft was to feature a tricycle undercarriage. Bell had previously designed the YFM-1 Aracuda featuring a mid-fuselage mounted engine to free up space for a large calibre 37mm cannon which would fire through the propeller hub. This was unusual as fighters were normally designed around an engine, not a weapons system. The Bell XP-39 would make its maiden flight in April of 1938 reaching 20000 feet in 5 minutes and maintain 390 mph. However it was found that top speed at 20000 feet was lower than the original proposed 400 mph. Bell would change the aircraft configuration for production to remove the turbo charger so production aircraft were only fitted with a single-stage, single-speed supercharger. Its been argued that Bell did this to save money, though its been said that testing showed aerodynamic issues with it. As a result production aircraft performance declined above 12000 feet and it was never able to serve as a medium level let alone high level aircraft.

The US requisitioned 200 aircraft from an order based for the UK, they called these aircraft the P-400 as they were advertised with a top speed to 400mph. Following the attack on Pearl Harbour these aircraft were deployed to the South West Pacific. Despite being out classed by Japanese aircraft the aircraft excelled in the ground attack. Pilots would fight Zeros and the aircraft were fairly even in the low level environment. By the end of 1942 over 80 Japanese aircraft were credited. These aircraft would go onto fly from Aleutian Islands, and serve in the Panama Canal Zone. The 81st & 350th Fighter Groups would fly in the Mediterranean TO but mainly on maritime patrol missions. Later the 81st would transfer to the Burma TO. The K & N models would feature an Aeroproducts propeller.

The kit comes in a sturdy, top opening box. There are 3 grey injection moulded sprues and one clear sprue.

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Thumbnail panels:

As a Weekend Edition, it does not come with photoetch or masks, as now has become the norm, a decal set with 2 PTO schemes. The decal set does have an decal for the instrument panel which will give a good level of detail in the cockpit. You will probably want to add a set of etch seat belts to complete the cockpit.

All parts are crisply moulded with virtually no flash. Surprisingly, there are 20 parts supplied that will not be used. I am not going to do a full review as there have been many for this aircraft as the kit itself is not new.

Markings

The 2 Pacific Theatre schemes are the new aspect of this boxing. Both are from New Guinea bases, with basic olive drab and neutral grey schemes, with one having a white tail. Both schemes have nose art to add interest to the schemes.

The aircraft are:

• P-39N s/n 42-18805 41st FS, 35th FG Tsili Tsili Air Base New Guinea 1943.

• P-39K s/n 42-4358 40 FS, 35th FG, Port Moresby, New Guinea 1943.

This kit will build into a very nice version of a PTO Airacobra, and without all the bells and whistles, could be assembled in a couple of weekends due to a quite high parts count.

Thanks to Eduard for the sample

Review Text & Images Copyright © 2018 by David Couche
Page Created 30 January, 2018
Last updated 1 May, 2018

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