RS Models 1/72 P-39Q Airacobra Kit First Look

By David L. Veres

First Look

Originally designed as a high-altitude interceptor, Bell's P-39, with its potent 37mm canon, forged fame as one of WWII's premiere ground-attack aircraft. Relatively unsuccessful in US and RAF use, it proved particularly popular in Soviet VVS service.

RS Models' crisply molded 1/72-scale P-39Q reissue features 95 components on 3 trees in gray and clear styrene. Two more resin details, decals, and assembly instructions complete contents.

Moldings sport everything you'd expect from an RS kit, including:

• crisp moldings
• fine, recessed scribing
• clear canopy with fine, raised framing
• superbly detailed cockpit with instrument panel, bulkheads, joystick, bucket seat, console, floor, and gun sight
• separately molded, detailed wheel-well inserts
• separate cockpit entry doors with finely raised interior detailing
• delicately rendered fabric-covered control surfaces
• stunning decals

RS clearly intends styrene components for multiple Airacobra packages. All kit subjects, for instance, sport 3-bladed props. But you also get parts for 4-bladed units – and multiple exhaust options.

Easy-to-follow, 6-page instructions include a capsule history, parts map, 10-phase assembly sequence, painting details, and stencil location directions. In addition to the stencil suite and wing walks, decals cover 4 colorful schemes:

• USAAF P-39Q-6, 82nd TRS, 71st TRG, New Guinea, 1944
• USAAF P-39Q-1-BE, 72nd FS, 21st FG, Marianas Islands, 1944
• Soviet Bell P-39Q, 9th Guards Fighter Air Division, Poland, 1944
• USAAF P-39Q-1, 46th FS, 15th FG, Canton Island, 1943

RS beautifully illustrates all on its full-color, box-top markings guide.

With better out-of-box detail than many "mainstream" kit manufacturers offer, RS Models remains a world benchmark for outstanding "limited run" product quality.

Love P-39 Airacobras? Snag this little gem.

With thanks to RS Models for this review sample.