dai phan Posted January 1, 2022 Share Posted January 1, 2022 (edited) Happy New Year everyone... To start out a new year I visit memory lane of building the classic P-39Q that STILL stands the test of time for half of a century! A 50 year old kit that is still standing proud with big boys like Hasegawa and Eduard's. I remembered building this kit, painting and all in one sitting after school in the early 80's. Now 41 years later I am giving it the glory now that I wasn't back then. A 50 year old kit that has the fit, details better than some of today's offerings. Think about it. Dai Edited January 4, 2022 by dai phan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted January 2, 2022 Author Share Posted January 2, 2022 (edited) Hello everyone... Started construction today. For a 50 year old kit, the engineering and fit are fantastic! And the level of details for that time was unmatched! Dai Edited January 2, 2022 by dai phan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted January 3, 2022 Author Share Posted January 3, 2022 Some more progress. I grew up in the early 80's building Monogram kits and I had never recalled a single kit with fit issues. Just imagine what Monogram can do with today's technology. Dai Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted January 4, 2022 Author Share Posted January 4, 2022 (edited) Hello modelers, The plane is coming along nicely just as I remembered back then in 1982. It is amazing what Monogram could do in the days of pre CAD-CAM. Hell some of today's manufacturers could not even match of what Monogram accomplished over 50 years ago. Dai Edited January 4, 2022 by dai phan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Geoff M Posted January 4, 2022 Share Posted January 4, 2022 Nice progress. Can't wait to see your finished work. Geoff M Quote Link to post Share on other sites
K5054NZ Posted January 4, 2022 Share Posted January 4, 2022 I had a blast building one of these (CAF Ghost Squadron boxing) as an 18yo, it was great fun and I too was impressed with the details. I'm excited to see yours progress! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted January 5, 2022 Author Share Posted January 5, 2022 (edited) Greetings... US Army planes during WW2 were pretty boring of the grey and olive drab so I ordered some decals that offer some colors to my build. That means likely of international colors. Dai Edited January 5, 2022 by dai phan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted January 6, 2022 Author Share Posted January 6, 2022 (edited) Howdy modelers... All primed and ready for the main colors. Waiting for decals to arrive from Ukraine and UK ... The hardest part was to rescribe the gun bay panel. I hate scribing ! Edited January 6, 2022 by dai phan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted January 6, 2022 Author Share Posted January 6, 2022 Excellent photographic reference of the P-39. Dai Bell P-39 Airacobra | Aircraft of World War II - WW2Aircraft.net Forums Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ST0RM Posted January 6, 2022 Share Posted January 6, 2022 While not the top performer they hoped, the P-39 had the looks. It's a looker. Great work on your Senior Citizen kit. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted January 9, 2022 Author Share Posted January 9, 2022 Hello all, I just ordered a gun barrel set to improve the details of this classic build. Dai Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted January 9, 2022 Author Share Posted January 9, 2022 (edited) Howdy everyone... Just got one of Ebay of the 1969 release so I can see what Monogram did in their updated ProModeler version. The upgrades were two long spar raised panel lines on the top and bottom were converted to recessed. Other than that no other tooling modifications. Of course the PM version has PE parts and also two maintenance crew members are included. One note is the PM version has the gun pods for the Q version. One interesting thing is that on the 1969 version, the right gun bay panel fits like Tamiya while on my PM version, there was large gaps that I had to do some serious filling and rescribing. Age of tooling? I am going to do the Russian scheme because it is so colorful. Dai Edited January 9, 2022 by dai phan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted January 17, 2022 Author Share Posted January 17, 2022 (edited) Happy Sunday everyone... Got the main colors applied. It will be VVS scheme as they are among the most colorful Airacobras. Dai Edited January 17, 2022 by dai phan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dekon70 Posted January 18, 2022 Share Posted January 18, 2022 Looking good! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted January 18, 2022 Author Share Posted January 18, 2022 The kit's offering of the wheels is not very good. The wheels look like they are flat rather than being bulged so I order a replacement from Eduard. Still waiting on the decals to arrive. Dai Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mr.Happy Posted January 21, 2022 Share Posted January 21, 2022 Your off to a great start Dai. ‘’Where does he get such wonderful toys!?’’ Now we know. Keep up the great work and updates. Mr. Happy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted January 24, 2022 Author Share Posted January 24, 2022 (edited) Greetings everyone... Waiting for the decals and the wheels set to arrive... The color of the engine bay looks weird but after a wash and weathering it will take a darker color. Dai Edited January 24, 2022 by dai phan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted January 30, 2022 Author Share Posted January 30, 2022 Happy Sunday everyone... The wheels have arrived and painted. The decals have arrived to the USA and are on their way here. Should be able to get them by this weekend. Dai Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted January 31, 2022 Author Share Posted January 31, 2022 Hello all, The decals part 2 has arrived and part 1 will arrive this week from Ukraine. I hope everything will work out and I pray for peace on earth. Dai Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dekon70 Posted February 1, 2022 Share Posted February 1, 2022 Looking really good! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted February 2, 2022 Author Share Posted February 2, 2022 (edited) Hello everyone... Applied the decals today. The main decals are excellent, thin and strong but the stencil sheet is a big let down. The red decals when applied on the model took a pink hue which is not usable. Will need to look for a sheet on Ebay. The spinner blue color is custom matched to the light blue decals. Dai Edited February 2, 2022 by dai phan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mr.Happy Posted February 2, 2022 Share Posted February 2, 2022 Wow ! Thats great progress in quick order. Nicely done. Mr. Happy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted February 2, 2022 Author Share Posted February 2, 2022 Just ordered the stencil set made by Eduard. The Foxbot stencil set is not usable so please advised. Dai Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted February 7, 2022 Author Share Posted February 7, 2022 (edited) Hello my dear fellow modelers... The plane is 90% done waiting for the stencil sheet to arrive and final weathering. At first I was planning to apply a satin coat but research indicated VVS planes were painted in semi gloss finish. After all the weathering and washes, the plane took the right sheen so no satin coat is needed. As usual here are my takes: PROS: 1. Very nice model of the P39 even it is 45 years old tooling. 2. Detailed cockpit and open engine / gun bay. 3. Excellent fit and engineering. CONS: 1. Main landing gears do not have the correct backward tilt. 2. Nose gear doors are not accurate. There are 4 protruding mounting pegs that need to be removed. 3. Poor wheels. They look like flattened rather than being bulged. 4. Missing nose vents. The PE offerings do not work well in my hands. If you are into some nostalgic builds, then this P39 is an excellent choice that is somewhat on par with today's offerings. If you want the best P39, then look into Eduard or Hasegawa as surface and interior details are superior. Dai PS: Excellent site for VVS Lend-Lease planes: P-39 Airacobras in VVS (massimotessitori.altervista.org) Edited February 8, 2022 by dai phan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted February 8, 2022 Author Share Posted February 8, 2022 These items are needed to greatly improve the kit: 1. Eduard Brassin wheels. 2. Quickboost gun barrels. 3. After market decals. 4. Ultracast seat (I use the kit's). Dai Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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