1:48 Bell P-39Q Airacobra LooK

The real subject

The Bell P-39 Airacobra is an American fighter of the Second World War with an unusual layout. The engine sits behind the pilot's back roughly at the center of gravity of the aircraft, a shaft leads forward under the floor of the cockpit and a cannon fires through the center of the propeller hub. The aircraft stands on a nose wheel, which at that time was rare among fighters. The cockpit is entered not by sliding the canopy back but by automobile-style doors in the sides, so the interior is unusually clearly visible on a finished model. The Q version is among the late production forms.

What the set contains

The set concentrates on the instrument panel and replaces the part from the kit with a finished accessory that carries detail of the instruments considerably finer than can be molded into plastic. The extent of the set and the exact fitting procedure are described in the manufacturer's instructions.

Building and painting tips

First try the part dry in the place it belongs, and only then glue it. Remove the surplus material from the place left by the original panel and level the surface so that the accessory seats without play. Finish and fit the cockpit before you glue the fuselage halves together; after that you will not get into it. Before you start dipping, sanding or over-coating the part, verify in the instructions that its surface finish will take it. With the cockpit doors it pays to leave them open, or your work will stay hidden.

Who it is for

For modelers who want legible instruments in the cockpit without painting the dial faces with a brush. Unless stated otherwise, this is a separate accessory and the kit, paints and glue are supplied separately.