L-39 Thunderbirds

[Osher]

Chaps, the Kopro kit of an L-39 in American Thunderbirds set-up, including US Airforce signs, is this for real or a fantasy?

[J35 Draken]

I assume the scheme is based on the L-39 owned by an American company which leases out aircraft for film and TV use.

[Osher]

Thanks Dean, could be!

[GreenDragon]

It's real for definite and belongs to HB Aviation in California, regisration is N110HB. Linky http://www.l39jets.com/page2.html

Link includes cockpit photos.

HTH

Paul Harrison

[Mandrake]

I also came across this one, operated by http://www.mach1aviation.com

Note the different scheme to the previous one, not sure which one the Kopro kit replicates though.

[GreenDragon]

If I remember the kopro box art correctly it's the Mach1 Aviation one that Mandrake posted.

Paul Harrison

[J35 Draken]

Looking at the box art for the kit, I don't think it actually replicates either of those machines. The L-39 that Paul linked has really different tail markings and aircraft pictured above has the blue section around the canopy, which the kit doesn't have.

[Mandrake]

Looking at the box art for the kit, I don't think it actually replicates either of those machines. The L-39 that Paul linked has really different tail markings and aircraft pictured above has the blue section around the canopy, which the kit doesn't have.

KP boxart & decals:

Has the tail similar of the mach1aviation example but "United States Air Force" rather than "US Air Force".

Edited March 30, 2008 by Mandrake

[GreenDragon]

Here's a link to the one in the Kopro box art. http://www.warbirdregistry.org/jetregistry...l39-n602mc.html

Was operated by MAC Flightlease Inc, unfortunately destroyed in 2001.

Paul Harrison

[Osher]

Wow! Talk about an impressive armoury of information. Thanks guys! Guess I'll actually have to build the thing now! I'd have never have guessed that it was a real aircraft! How extraordinary.

[dahut]

Id just like to see a decent L-39 in 1/48

[upnorth]

Id just like to see a decent L-39 in 1/48

Agreed, the MPM one has potential but a fair bit of work is required to get the best from it.

I wish Eduard would upscale their 1/72 L-39 to 1/48. I also wish they'd tool a 1/72 L-159 ALCA out of them, but thats another thread completely.

[J35 Draken]

I also wish they'd tool a 1/72 L-159 ALCA out of them, but thats another thread completely.

Me too, although I'd prefer a 1/48 L-159!

[GreenDragon]

I can't remember where I saw it but I'm pretty sure one of the Czech companies is doing a 1/72nd L159. I'll have a look around to see if I can find it.

Paul Harrison

edit: I found it but it's sold out. It was a resin kit by Legato.

Edited March 31, 2008 by GreenDragon

[upnorth]

I can't remember where I saw it but I'm pretty sure one of the Czech companies is doing a 1/72nd L159. I'll have a look around to see if I can find it.

Paul Harrison

edit: I found it but it's sold out. It was a resin kit by Legato.

Yep, and it was a so-so rendition of a prototype not a production version. I'm not even sure I'd bother tracking one down to convert an Eduard L-39 over to an L-159.