Hobby Master Archive

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA1712 P-39Q Airacobra 100th FS, Capodichino, Italy 1944 “Quanto Costa”

The Bell P-39 Airacobra originally flew with excellent performance but by the time the aircraft reached the front lines the Army Air Corp had changed so many features that the plane was far from what Bell had originally designed. They added weight, removed the supercharger from the Allison engine that didn’t have the power it claimed. What could have been and should have been one of the best aircraft of WWII turned out to be much less. Even with all its flaws they still produced 9,584 P-39s.

The 100th Fighter Squadron, 332nd Fighter Group was a Tuskegee Airmen squadron during WWII. They arrived in Italy in February 1944 and assigned to the 12th Air Force. The 100th was equipped with P-39s and P-47s and tasked with less demanding roles such as harbor patrol. In May 1944 they were re-assigned to the 15th Air Force and flew escort for bombers targeting oil and industrial sites. P-39 “Quanto Costa” (How much is it?) was flown by 1st Lt. Samuel Curtis. In June 1944 the 100th received P-51s.

Specifications / P-39Q Airacobra Manufacturer - Bell Aircraft Role - Fighter Crew - (1) pilot First flight - April 6, 1938 Introduced into active duty - 1941 Production time span - 1940/May 1944 Number built - 9,584 Dimensions Length - 30 ft 2 in (9.2 m) Wingspan - 34 ft (10.4 m) Height - 12 ft 5 in (3.8 m) Wing Area - 213 ft² (19.8 m²)

Weights Empty - 5,347 lb (2,425 kg) Loaded - 7,379 lb (3,347 kg) Max takeoff - 8,400 lb (3,800 kg)

Performance Engine - (1) Allison V-1710-85 liquid-cooled V-12, 1,200 hp (895 kw) Maximum speed - 376 mph (605 km/h) Maximum dive speed - 525 mph (845 km/h) Range - 1,098 miles (1,770 km) Service ceiling - 35,000 ft (10,700 m) Rate of climb - 3,750 ft/min (19 m/s) Time to 15,000 ft - 4.5 minutes at 160 mph (260 km/h)

Armament (1) 37 mm M4 cannon firing through the propeller hub, ROF 140 rpm with 30 rounds of HE ammo.

(4) .50 cal (12.7 mm) machine guns ROF 750 rpm - one gun in each wing and two guns in the cowl with a ROF of 300 rpm for each.

Ammo - 200 rounds per nose cowl gun, 300 rounds in pods under the wings for each wing gun.

Up to 500 lb (230 kg) of external bombs.

P-39Q-21 used the 4-bladed propeller while the P-39Q-30 reverted to the 3-bladed propeller because the 4-bladed prop worsened directional stability.

True 1/72 scale.

Professionally painted.

Great attention to detail.

All markings are Tampoed (pad applied).

Option to display the model on a stand that is provided.

Model can be shown with the landing gear in the down or up positions.

Optional armament provided.

Canopy can be displayed open or closed.

Pilot figure included.

Extremely heavy metal with a minimum of plastic.

Highly collectable.