P39 Airacobra 1/72nd Airfix

[Savenosouls]

Following the Spits - Struggled with the kit (pretty poor) thought the kit looked sparce under the rear canopy - had seen picture of what looked like small radio box - so fashioned one out of some sprue.

Also what sort of colour should the antenae be?

The decals are way too big for the kit.

Hand painted with Humbrol, decal fix & matt coat.

Go easy! (I don't think it is as good as my spit offering) - can't get to grips with the photography - flash on/off macro on/off!!

Edited October 12, 2010 by Savenosouls

[keith in the uk]

Now theres a blast from the past , you dont see this kit built very often . Thanks for reminding me of my childhood.

[BasicModelling]

Yes, a true blast from the past.. Glad to see you did it in Russian colours as well,

after all they used more P-39's than any other user, I believe.. And to great effect too!

You've done a good job of a somewhat dated model kit, very nice to see..

[Savenosouls]

Yes, a true blast from the past.. Glad to see you did it in Russian colours as well,

after all they used more P-39's than any other user, I believe.. And to great effect too!

You've done a good job of a somewhat dated model kit, very nice to see..

"Dated" - I'd say that's the polite way of describing it!!!

Anyone have any idea of the colour of the antennae, I gave it a brief brush of silver (it was my first attempt sprue stretching, was surprised that I didn't set off the smoke alarm!!)

[Jon Kunac-Tabinor]

Hey - you know that looks good.

You should be pretty proud of your Kobra. I would be tempted to paint the aerial lines in a medium dark grey - that will make them visible without being too distracting.

Quite why Airfix havent retired these moulds is beyond me, but that notwithstanding - good effort. I'd check you matt coat varnish though as its seems a bit, errr... gloss

cheers

Jonners

[Savenosouls]

Hey - you know that looks good.

You should be pretty proud of your Kobra. I would be tempted to paint the aerial lines in a medium dark grey - that will make them visible without being too distracting.

Quite why Airfix havent retired these moulds is beyond me, but that notwithstanding - good effort. I'd check you matt coat varnish though as its seems a bit, errr... gloss

cheers

Jonners

I'm with you on the Matt Coat - It was brand new and well stirred!! Thanks for the heads up on the antennae colour - repaint pending

[AnonymousDFB1]

Nice work

[Paul A H]

Nice work - brings back fond memories!

[BasicModelling]

"Dated" - I'd say that's the polite way of describing it!!!

Anyone have any idea of the colour of the antennae, I gave it a brief brush of silver (it was my first attempt sprue stretching, was surprised that I didn't set off the smoke alarm!!)

The antenna looks ok as is, in my opinion.. or maybe a bit darker, like Revell no.9 or something.. Don't take my word for it though,

but go by your own preferrence..

Stretching sprue is an art I'm yet to master, even if I have manufactured a couple

of antennas for a Swedish S-103 B Tank that way.. You could always try and get hold of some 'elasticated thread', as that is ideal

for antenna making, being paintable, yet still flexible.. You can abuse it quite a lot and it still won't snap or come off, once secured

with a drop of superglue..

Having seen your model, I'm think if it couldn't be worth investing in an Airfix P-39 after all, as I'm quite tempted to convert a kit

into a 2-seat trainer version and this kit could be a very good starting point.. You can probably buy a resin

kit but why spend the money when converting is a lot more fun..

[Savenosouls]

The antenna looks ok as is, in my opinion.. or maybe a bit darker, like Revell no.9 or something.. Don't take my word for it though,

but go by your own preferrence..

Stretching sprue is an art I'm yet to master, even if I have manufactured a couple

of antennas for a Swedish S-103 B Tank that way.. You could always try and get hold of some 'elasticated thread', as that is ideal

for antenna making, being paintable, yet still flexible.. You can abuse it quite a lot and it still won't snap or come off, once secured

with a drop of superglue..

Having seen your model, I'm think if it couldn't be worth investing in an Airfix P-39 after all, as I'm quite tempted to convert a kit

into a 2-seat trainer version and this kit could be a very good starting point.. You can probably buy a resin

kit but why spend the money when converting is a lot more fun..

Word of warning - filler alert - on the Airfix kit I had, there was an enormous gap on the underside rear where the wings meet the fuselage. Also, stick a weight in the nose before you glue it together, it's tail heavy and does not sit on the undercarriage by default. (I ended up retrospectively jamming bluetack into the nose (thankfully I had not fixed the canopy)

I await your converted trainer version!

Edited October 11, 2010 by Savenosouls

[Nobby]

Try Revell Matt varnish mate. Go's on great with a brush and looks great!

[ChancerUK]

Lovely little P39 there, nice job on a long in the tooth kit.

[Maxidad]

These older, cheaper kits are a great way to hone your skills when returiing to the hobby. The P-39 looks great.

As for the glossy matt coat, I had this trouble with Humbrol matt cote - I think I know the problem, you are not mixing it enough. You have to get your stirrer (cocktail stick?) right down to the bottom - the gunge that makes it matt settles into a very solid mass at the bottom of the bottle; you must dig right down and stir for at least 3 or 4 minutes.

[Savenosouls]

These older, cheaper kits are a great way to hone your skills when returiing to the hobby. The P-39 looks great.

As for the glossy matt coat, I had this trouble with Humbrol matt cote - I think I know the problem, you are not mixing it enough. You have to get your stirrer (cocktail stick?) right down to the bottom - the gunge that makes it matt settles into a very solid mass at the bottom of the bottle; you must dig right down and stir for at least 3 or 4 minutes.

I shall stir for longer (piece of old sprue as opposed to cocktail stick) - Is there anything to be gained by thinning some before application?

[Maxidad]

Is there anything to be gained by thinning some before application?

No, I don't thnk so, if mattcote is well stirred it quite liquid enough. However, if I brush paint humbrol enamels, I always thin them and build up the coats, leaving 24 hours for drying between each. The first coat and possibly the second coat will be streaky, but by the third coat you'll have a lovely solid coverage, but no brush marks. (Applying a primer first may also help - I use Halford's Grey plastic primer - apply with one or two passes of the can and gently sand it with fine wet'n'dry to get a smooth finish.)

[Savenosouls]

No, I don't thnk so, if mattcote is well stirred it quite liquid enough. However, if I brush paint humbrol enamels, I always thin them and build up the coats, leaving 24 hours for drying between each. The first coat and possibly the second coat will be streaky, but by the third coat you'll have a lovely solid coverage, but no brush marks. (Applying a primer first may also help - I use Halford's Grey plastic primer - apply with one or two passes of the can and gently sand it with fine wet'n'dry to get a smooth finish.)

I have been thining the enamels - the Spit PRXIX's I did had about 4 ot 5 coats (along with a little sanding). Reasonably happy with the outcome - will get mixing properly with the Matt Coat

Edited October 12, 2010 by Savenosouls

[BasicModelling]

Word of warning - filler alert - on the Airfix kit I had, there was an enormous gap on the underside rear where the wings meet the fuselage. Also, stick a weight in the nose before you glue it together, it's tail heavy and does not sit on the undercarriage by default. (I ended up retrospectively jamming bluetack into the nose (thankfully I had not fixed the canopy)

I await your converted trainer version!

Thanks for the word of warning!! It will be a while before I will do any modelling, as I am otherwise busy right now.. But a 2-seat conversion is definetely on the list!!