Hobby Master Archive

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA1706 P-39L Airacobra, “Evelyn”, Lt. Hugh Dow 346th FS 350th FG, Maison Blanche, Algeria, Spring 1943

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.

Free spinning propeller.

Minimum use of plastic.

Very collectable.

The Bell P-39 was the first American fighter to use tricycle undercarriage. Also unique was the use of a mid-mounted engine with a propeller shaft that ran from the engine through the cockpit under the pilot to the propeller. A 37mm cannon was mounted behind the gearbox and set up to fire through the propeller and the proper role the Airacobra performed marvelously and created a number of Aces.

In North Africa the P-39 was tasked to convoy patrol, armed reconnaissance and ground attack with little chance of encountering enemy fighters in combat. However Lt. Hugh “Rowdy” Dow got lucky when he and another P-39 spotted two Bf-109s. Both pilots attacked the German fighters and damaged both Messerschmitts. Dow spotted a third Bf- 109 and gave chase that ended with the Bf-109 being destroyed. About one month later he scored his second kill that was probably the last for a P-39 in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations.

P39L Specifications Had a different nose wheel, designed for lesser drag on take-off General information Type: Single Seat Fighter and Ground Attack Manufacturer: Bell Aircraft Total Produced: 250 Powerplant Engine: 1 x Allison V-1710-63 Type: Liquid Cooled V12 Horsepower: 1,325 hp Dimensions Wingspan: 10.37m (34 ft.) Length: 9.2m (30 ft. 2 in.) Height: 11 ft. 10 in. Wing Surface Area: 213 Sq. Ft.

Weights Empty: 5,600 lbs. Loaded: 7,780 lbs Performance Maximum Speed at 15,000 ft: 380 mph Initial climb: 4,000 ft. (1220 m) per minute Service Ceiling: 35,000 ft. Range: (Ferry range with drop tanks) 1,475 Miles (2360 km) at 160 mph Armament 4 x Colt-Browning .30" in the wings 2 x .50" machine guns in the nose 1 x 37 mm M-4 cannon. Optional rocket pylon installation under the wings.

first 346th FS emblem in North Africa

second 346th FS emblem in North Africa

THESE ARE PRE-PRODUCTION PICTURES NOT THE FINAL VERSION