P39 Airacobra Mk1 by Rick - Decals and Dirt and DONE!

[Leon]

Nice results on the painting Rick!

[jpc1968]

Man, you are polishing up that turd nicely

[panzerjager2]

Count Choc-u-la cool.  Nice update

[wing_nut]

That looks great. Iv'e been thinking of tape masks and running something under the edge to lift it but that work really nice. What is that "thread" stuff you used?

[midnightprowler]

You are making a silk purse out of a sows ear foe sure.

[Rick]

Thanks all for the very kind comments.
Schwing-Wing, the thread I used was an ancient heavy duty quilting or industrial type thread. It was on a wooden spool and I found it in grandma's old sewing box if that gives an idea of how old it was. I think any thread about twice the thickness of regular sewing thread would work though.
Geez Prowler, never thought of myself as being fashionable!

[thug626]

That camo looks spot on to me Rick.

[Rick]

Update 4-21 - Decals and Dirt!

I am so ready to be done with this bird, you have no idea. I decided to put all other projects away and focus on getting the Airacobra across the flight line. First thing was to get some legs under it so I could quit breaking off the bellytank supports.





The landing gear is actually very nicely molded and fit very precisely into their attachment points. I didn't have to worry about alignment at all. I also did not worry about it becoming a tail dragger. Before placing the panel over the nose machine guns, I filled it with plenty of weight.

I purposely procrastinated on staring the decals due to the previous kit troubles this thing caused every step of the way with all the warped parts and lousy fit. I figured the decals may as well have been stickers. Once again, this thing surprised me. The decals were the best I've seen in quite a few years. After glossing and a light sand, the decals laid down and easily confirmed to panel lines with very little effort. Nice! Most of these pics were taken after the decals were applied and sealed so I could finally get the cockpit masks off to see If I'd completely botched them.






Stencils were plentiful and also adhered very well into the kit. These took the better part of an entire evening.


Weathering came next including some spot chipping on the belly tank




With the weathering complete, the final additions were added including the antenna wire and doors. These didn't disappoint either. Of course they didn't fit! Only thing to do is place them in the open position, this helped access the cockpit but I was hoping I could get at least one of them to fit.

[Rick]

With the last of the parts that would break off if you looked at them wrong finally added, I'm declaring "Not So" Special Hobby's P39 Mk1 Airacobra done. Finished in markings of 601 squadron and specifically Wing Commander Gracie. 601 was the only squadron to work up the Airacobra and it disappointed the Air Ministry so much, after 1 mission by 4 aircraft, these and all others received by lend lease were shipped off to Russia.
This kit has great detail, a complete cockpit, and very nice decals. The construction was full of setbacks due to warped fuselage halves and poor edges of key assemblies requiring a lot of filling and clean up. Otherwise, I am pleased with the final result. Here are her completion portraits:








Thanks to all that followed along on this long journey. Your comments helped me keep going through a number of very difficult stages.

[sturmbird]

looks nice. I hope the Kittyhawk kit goes together easier.
gary

[wing_nut]

Rick very schwingerific

[wbill76]

The final push did the trick there Rick, nice job beating this one into submission.

[Leon]

Outstanding Finish Rick!

[thug626]

Dang Rick! I would not have figure that for a "Not So Special" kit by your amazing end result there. Well built and well finished buddy.

[panzerjager2]

Gotta luv any aircraft that mounted a 37mm cannon.... Hell the A-10 dubbed by Islamic fighters as "raining death" only mounts a 30mm cannon. 
PJ2

[joelsmith]

Yeah, but the 30mm "Avenger" fires a whole lot faster than that Oldsmobile 37mm ever thought about.

[Rick]

Thanks guys for the very kind comments. This kit pushed back almost every step and only gave up just enough surprises to keep me from putting a big dent in the wall with it.
The 37 was a big gun but it was slow and so limited in ammo it was only good for a few shots per flight. Best use was later when the navy pulled the gun out of wrecks on Guadalcanal and mounted it on their PT boats.

[midnightprowler]

She looks great!

[dierk]

You've done a great job overcoming all the kit threw at you - RESULT!

[4bogreen]

A dog of a kit Rick! difficult to build correctly. Exelent work!