Hasegawa 1/48 P-39Q/N Airacobra Kit First Look

By Michael Benolkin

First Look

Bell designed an advanced fighter aircraft in 1938 that featured a 37mm cannon firing through the propeller spinner and different configurations of machine guns depending on the version. The engine was mounted behind the pilot, with the propeller shaft running under the pilot's seat and between his legs. The aircraft incorporated one of the first nosegear arrangements on an operational fighter.

The P-39N was first version of the Airacobra to be produced in large quantities. Powered by an Allison V1710-85 engine turning an Aeroproducts propeller, the P-39N would get extensive service in the South Pacific and in the Soviet Union, though it did manage to see action in almost every theater of operation during World War II.

The P-39Q replaced the four wing-mounted 30 caliber machine guns with two 50 caliber machine guns in pods under the wings. Both versions retained the 37mm automatic cannon in the nose that fired through the spinner.

It was no surprise that Hasegawa would quickly follow up their nice P-400 variant of the Airacobra with the most widely produced variants of the aircraft. For a look at how the Hasegawa kit stacks up to other 1/48 P-39s, look here.

The kit is molded in light gray styrene, and is impressive with its sharply-scribed detailing. There are six parts trees in the box and one additional tree containing the clear canopy, doors, etc.

Two different styles of exhaust stacks are provided to indicate the some of what is to come, and the notches in the wing to accommodate different gun installations also hint at future more versions.

Like the Eduard kit, the car doors are molded in clear to make it easier to represent the side cockpit windows. Unlike the Eduard kit, this release has no photo-etch parts nor the essential lead ballast included to keep the aircraft from becoming a tail dragger.

Even though some of the essential parts to render later versions of this aircraft are not in the box, there are quite a few parts you will not use to render the P-39Q/N, so you'll have some nice detail parts for your spares box.

The cockpit access doors are positionable. You have your choice of an external fuel tank or bomb on the centerline rack.

The markings included in this kit are for:

• P-39Q, 42-20746, 363 FS/357 FG, Oct 1943, 'Old Crow' as flown by Lt. Clarence 'Bud' Anderson
• P-39Q, 42-19447, 357 FG, Group Commander Edward Chickering, Oct 1943
• P-39N, unknown, 68 FS/347 FG, Jun 1943, Guadalcanal, as flown by Lt. Bill Fiedler

A very complete set of maintenance stencils are also provided for the aircraft.

Out of the box, this kit looks good and should build into a nice rendition of the Airacobra. Check out the quick-build of this kit here and the Airacobra kit comparison here.