This is the re-boxed Eduard kit
issued by Accurate Miniatures as the first in a series of air racer kits.
Unfortunately, the kit is a combat ready P-39Q out of the box. The only
addition AM made was the inclusion of the resin belly scoop. The rest is up to
the modeler to make an accurate representation of the Cobra II aircraft.
All of
the flight control surfaces had to be sanded down smooth to eliminate the
fabric texture and fixed trim tabs must be added with thin strip stock. The
pitot tube was mounted on the spinner in place of the cannon. The pitot tube
is made from brass rod and tube. A new spinner tip was formed around the tube
with epoxy putty. Tex Johnston's aircraft had four aft fuselage stiffeners
added after there was a catastrophic failure of Jack Wollam's plane. These
were also added with thin stip stock. There are three sets of prop blades
included with the kit, which all are wrong. A sanding stick was then used to
square off the blades into their correct shape. Resin wheels from True Details
were then added to sharpen the look. Painting was slow due to the color
needed. It took six coats of thinned Testors Model Master Acryl Chrome Yellow
to achieve the effect. The flight controls were painted Semi-Gloss Black.
Panel lines were enhanced with The Detailer black wash. The kit decals were
good but missing the tulip petal detail around the nose. Red Pegasus Decals
make a set for this aircraft, they include the tulip petal detail. The final
clear coat of Future Floor Polish finished the kit.
Click on
images below to see larger images
There is a ton of lead
shotgun pellets in the nose of this model to prevent a tail sitter!
Overall this is a fantastic kit
with great detail. But I am a bit disappointed that Accurate Miniatures did
not do any extra research on this plane and make the changes. I have always
been a big fan of the racing planes and I am eagerly waiting for their next
release of the Super Corsair. I hope you have enjoyed the model and
article.
Mark
- ipms33206
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