1/48 Hasegawa P-39N Kobrushka, Red Air Force

Gallery Article by Ian T.M. Holahan on May 13 2011

 

The model depicted is a Red Air Force P-39N. The kit used was the Hasegawa 1/48th scale P-400 and all the relevant parts were used to convert the model into a P-39N. Assembly was trouble free and the model was truly fun to build. Seatbelts made from tape were added to the seat in the cockpit area of the model.

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The model was heavily weathered to depict the wear and tear inflicted on it from service on the Eastern Front. Fading was done with an airbrush equipped with an extra fine tip. Panel lines were drawn with a Micron ink pen and then accented with Tamiya Smoke applied with an airbrush. MIG Pigments were added to the wheels to depict the build up of mud and dirt.

This aircraft changed hands several times so markings had been painted out and reapplied repeatedly on the real airframe. Aeromaster decals were used to depict a P-39N "Kobrushka"  from the 100th GIAP that had been flown by Grigorii Dol'nikov and Ivan Babak. The plane was painted to honor another pilot, Pyotr Guchyok, who was killed in action. 

"HAPPY MODELING,

Ian T.M. Holahan

Photos and text © by Ian T.M. Holahan