Hobby Master Archive

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA1702 Bell P-39Q-1-BE Airacobra 42-19551, 46th FS, 15th FG, 7th AF Makin Island, Autumn 1943, “Devastating Devil”

Die-cast metal. Superb detailing in 1/72 scale. Pre-painted with pad applied markings. Fully assembled. Weapons that are not permanently attached. Comes with a pilot figure Display stand included. Option to display model with wheels up or down. Movable propeller. Minimum use of plastic. Very collectable.

The P-39Q has the distinction of being the most produced series with 4,905 built. The Q also was the last version of the Airacobra to be made by Bell. The main difference between the Q version and earlier versions was the replacement of the 4 wing- mounted 0.30 - inch machine guns with a single 0.50 -inch machine gun mounted inside a pod attached to the bottom of each wing. The P-39Q-1-BE also regained the additional 231 pounds of armor of the P-31N-1.

US Marines recaptured Makin Island in the Gilbert Islands chain in the Fall of 1943 and immediately built an airbase. It became the home base for the 15th FG, 46th FS and their P-39s on December 18, 1943. The “Devastating Devil” pinkish sand paint scheme definitely was a stand out among all the greens. This P-39 was painted with the intention of it going to North Africa but it managed to find its way into the PTO. As well as escorts for the Makin A-24s on their bombing raids the P-39s bombed and strafed ground targets.

P-39Q Airacobra Specifications Manufacturer: Bell Aircraft. Number built: 4,905 Armament: 1 X 37-mm cannon, 4 X .50 caliber machine guns Powerplant: Allison V-1710-85 1,200 hp Maximum speed: 385 mph @ 15,000 feet Rate of climb: 4.5 minutes to 15,000 feet Ceiling: 35,000 feet Maximum range: 1,100 miles Combat range: 650 miles Wingspan: 34 feet Length: 30 feet 2 inches Height: 12 feet 5 inches Empty weight: 5,645 pounds Gross weight: 7,700 pounds Maximum take-off weight: 8,350 pounds Maximum internal fuel load: 120 US gallons Maximum external fuel load: 175 US gallons P-39Q-1-BE maximum internal fuel load as delivered 87 US gallons but a kit could be added in the field to bring the capacity to 120 US gallons P-39A-5-BE maximum internal fuel load was 110 US gallons

46th FS patch

THESE ARE PRE-PRODUCTION PICTURES, NOT THE FINAL PRODUCT