1/48 P-39Q Airacobra USAAF

The Bell P-39 Airacobra was one of the most spectacular American fighter aircraft of World War II - literally. Its Allison V-1710 engine was located not in front of the cockpit, but behind it, in the middle of the fuselage, where it drove the propeller through a long cardan shaft running through the cabin. This unusual arrangement freed the nose for armament: the central element was a 37mm M4 cannon firing through the propeller axis, supplemented by .50 calibre machine guns. The Airacobra also became the first mass-produced American fighter with a nose wheel landing gear, an arrangement that was a complete novelty on a combat aircraft at the time.

The P-39Q variant represented the most numerous and most advanced version of the entire series. Compared to its predecessors, it received an improved Aeroproducts Hydromatic propeller with faster pitch control and an Allison V-1710-85 engine. Although the Airacobra underperformed at high altitudes, where it was limited by the lack of a turbocharger, it performed well at medium and low altitudes, excelling especially in glide speed and handling in dive flight. The USAAF deployed it in the Pacific (e.g. Guadalcanal in 1942) and in North Africa, with the most famous chapter of the P-39 being its mass deployment with the Soviet Air Force under the Lend-Lease program, where VVS pilots at low altitudes built up an exceptional record with the type.

The Hobby 2000 48047 kit is based on the proven Hasegawa moulds, which belong to the quality standard in 1:48 scale and guarantee good accuracy of outline and detail. Cartograf's decals are printed with high colour accuracy and sharp edges, so they adapt well to the model surface. The package offers three USAAF marking variations, allowing the modeler to select a specific machine to match his interest in a given battlefield or unit. The package does not include the paint or adhesives needed for assembly.