P-39 Airacobra Group Build

I have started mine the hasegawa kit is another good kit pretty detailed for just plastic, but I think my interior color is a little light, but we'll see how it turns out.  build away!

Unfortunately I have not been able to start for this GB yet but will be soon I hope.

Welcome to the build MPH34.... you are on the 1st page now too, and will be on the web page soon.

As far as perfect paint matches.... I doubt that will ever happen... or even be agreed on.  This can easily turn into the age old "correct paint color/shade" discussion that has been going on for a long time and will continue to do so.  Remember that when viewing a printed photo of a real a/c of paint sample.... you are viewing a printer's ink version of that color.  The ink, just like the real paint, will be have variations from batch to batch.  And a color sample on your monitor may be skewed by the color adjustment.  ALL colors will look different depending on what is around it too. So the best we can do is get close... and to use what we personally feel looks as right as we can get it.

The 1^st pic here is on a Bell P-59 nose gear painted with MM FS 34092 and just a little black dry brush.

And these are the same paint with varied degrees of an acrylic burnt sienna/gray wash, and then dry brushed with straight FS 34092.

Jeff:

Thank you for the pics and info. Of course having no standard for "Bell Green", your pics look great. It looks different enouch from the standard Interior Green, and from what most resoureces say, if you are in the Medium Green (FS34052) to Bronze Green (FS34092) realm, you can't be "wrong". I say go with it. The paint I have is FS34092, and from your pictures, it looks similar. I think I'll use what I have, and your pictures give me a little confidence to do so...thank you.

The Accurate Miniatures instructions and color call out sheet offer differing opinions of the exterior color. One calls for FS34079 and the other FS34087. I forget which is which off hand, but one of them is indeed RAF Dark Green. I like nhow this color looks in the exterior, happen to have a bottle, and will probably just stick with that...unless someone knows for a fact what the Old Crow actual FS# was.

Like Marc said, the same color can look a bijillion different ways depending on lighting, ink, fading, etc.

Marc,

Great picstures, thank you. Between your pictures and Jeff's, my FS34092 will be used on interior and wheel bay parts with confidence.

Thanks guys.

wing_nut wrote:

As far as perfect paint matches.... I doubt that will ever happen... or even be agreed on.  This can easily turn into the age old "correct paint color/shade" discussion that has been going on for a long time and will continue to do so.  Remember that when viewing a printed photo of a real a/c of paint sample.... you are viewing a printer's ink version of that color.  The ink, just like the real paint, will be have variations from batch to batch.  And a color sample on your monitor may be skewed by the color adjustment.  ALL colors will look different depending on what is around it too. So the best we can do is get close... and to use what we personally feel looks as right as we can get it.

Didn't FSM Magazine have an article about a year or so ago about this?  If I remember the article, during the war, the governement was so desprite for aircraft, and that getting the correct paint was a hard task due to the war; the 'paint regs' were relaxed.  If I remember correctly, you'd have more times than not, two aircraft come out of the same paint booth next to each other, and the colors were not 100% matching.  But the colors were good enough for aceptance.  In the field, trying to get the correct color  match was next to impossible.  If I find the article, I'll let all know the issue & date.  Paint colors also faded due to weather and flying.  So you would NEVER find two aircraft match.  The article goes into more detail about all of this.

Then, we are using photos for reference that are at least 60+ years old, so the color has deteriated since the original was taken (which was not a 100% proven technology back in 1945).  I agree with wing_nut, we need to do the best we can, and get a color shade that WE are happy with. Just my

mph34 wrote:

wing_nut wrote: As far as perfect paint matches.... I doubt that will ever happen... or even be agreed on.  This can easily turn into the age old "correct paint color/shade" discussion that has been going on for a long time and will continue to do so.  Remember that when viewing a printed photo of a real a/c of paint sample.... you are viewing a printer's ink version of that color.  The ink, just like the real paint, will be have variations from batch to batch.  And a color sample on your monitor may be skewed by the color adjustment.  ALL colors will look different depending on what is around it too. So the best we can do is get close... and to use what we personally feel looks as right as we can get it.  I agree with wing_nut, we need to do the best we can, and get a color shade that WE are happy with.

Amen, mph34. I couldn't agree more. Like 99% of the forum members, It doesn't bother me one way or another how another modeler enjoys the hobby. I just like to gather information so I am satisfied my build turns out how I plan it to turn out.

I'd be interested in hearing more about the article.

Got my office started but not enough for a pic. I will see how far I get this week

 

Thad

 

i need to order mine this week,,,,i had emailed Internet Hobbies about thiers(on sale at 24.xx) to see if they actually had them in stock,but they didn't reply....it all started when i ordered a sale item that shipped in 2-3 days that hadn't showed up in a month,when i called they said it wasn't even re;eased yet

Ok guys my first pic post. It should look like my p39 cockpit with the shade of green I talked about earlier. I hope the color translates well.

Well the color does look diferent. Its not as bright as it looks in the pic but I guess its a general idea. Anyway its what I am going to use.

Dave, the picture indeed looks very bright. Just for kicks, can you take the same picture without the use of a flash?

Oh, and by the way. congrats on the first pic post! Now we know you can do it, you'll have to post more!

ok one more (my second pic post)

Ok that looks the same....hummm.........well its not that bright , but its darker than interior green and lighter than olive drab so its going to have to do. Plus Hawxboss isnt in this group build LOL

davew6003 wrote:

Ok that looks the same....hummm.........well its not that bright , but its darker than interior green and lighter than olive drab so its going to have to do. Plus Hawxboss isnt in this group build LOL

haha. yes, I will not tell him...you might recieve an international ban from modelling for two years. Just in case: Which picture did you model that stand-alone cockpit from? Is it EXACT?

haha. He could use a serious chill-pill. I didn't chime in on that post, but i wanted to quote a line from "A Fish Called Wanda": Lighten up, Francis!

Looking good, Dave. As soon as I put the kids to bed I'm going to panel wash parts of the interior as well.

By the way, here's a neat link to a cockpit site with a few P-39's. I'll beusing this one I try to detail the IP

http://uscockpits.com/M-R.html

 

I like the way it looks Dave… nicely weathered too. Those are the 1st pics you posted in the forum? And in this GB…very cool. I was hoping to get some work done on the pit tonight but while dealing with a possible torn cartilage in my left knee… I may have nearly torn whatever it is that connects my right Achilles tendon to the muscle. As long as I have to stay off my feet…I am hoping it will hurt less tomorrow so I can sit at the workbench. So here I sit with me laptop on my… well… lap… and managed to get through the 4 pages of that thread. You will note that you not find a response from… I am not going to fuel that fire. Heard this same this too many time before and I think EVRYONE needs to relax. This is what I do this “hobby” for…relaxation. I would say though that there isn’t a modeler on this site that has not looked at a photo and kept that image in his mind when building whatever he is building. Our discussion about the right green for the interior comes to mind. I know I went in search of pit pics to see what the green should look like. Ahhh nuts…. I ended up on my soapbox anyway didn’t I… sorry.

mucker wrote:

Dave, the picture indeed looks very bright. Just for kicks, can you take the same picture without the use of a flash? Oh, and by the way. congrats on the first pic post! Now we know you can do it, you'll have to post more!

 

We want More Pics DAVE!!!

wing_nut wrote:

I like the way it looks Dave… nicely weathered too. Those are the 1st pics you posted in the forum? And in this GB…very cool. I was hoping to get some work done on the pit tonight but while dealing with a possible torn cartilage in my left knee… I may have nearly torn whatever it is that connects my right Achilles tendon to the muscle. As long as I have to stay off my feet…I am hoping it will hurt less tomorrow so I can sit at the workbench. So here I sit with me laptop on my… well… lap… and managed to get through the 4 pages of that thread. You will note that you not find a response from… I am not going to fuel that fire. Heard this same this too many time before and I think EVRYONE needs to relax. This is what I do this “hobby” for…relaxation. I would say though that there isn’t a modeler on this site that has not looked at a photo and kept that image in his mind when building whatever he is building. Our discussion about the right green for the interior comes to mind. I know I went in search of pit pics to see what the green should look like. Ahhh nuts…. I ended up on my soapbox anyway didn’t I… sorry.

That's not a soapbox, Marc. That's pretty much what we al feel. The difference in that thread and in this GB thread is that here we are discussing the individual information that each of the GB members has...sharing it with hopes that it may be helpful to other members. There is no destructive cirticism, no competing, and no name calling. After all, isn't this exactly the point of a GB: sharing our knowledge with each other as we build and having fun?

To be honest, I never really understood his point to begin with, which is why I stayed out of the post, as well. "Realsim" is in the mind's eye, and trying to standardize how to build or finish a model would actually detract from this great hobby.

I hope your knee heals soon. Thank goodness it wasn't your hands or eyes...something that would hinder your modeling!

 

I've started on the MPM P-63A. Thanks to whoever posted the cockpits link, I found a photo of a P-63 there. The P-63 instrument panel doesn't look like a P-39 very much.

Today I removed the pour blocks from the resin parts. The pour block on the instrument panel was scary, but I got it sanded off without breaking anything that I know of. The block is attached over the entire back surface of the panel, and you have to get most of it off, but when you get close it would be very easy to grind off the fit for the rudder pedals. I cleaned up the major injection molded parts, thinned down the wing trailing edges, thinned down the doors, thinned down the inside door panels and glued them to the doors, fit the left door to the fuselage, which fit pretty well after a little sanding work. Tried to fit the right door. OK, the left door on this one is going to be closed, and the right one is going to be open, because it would be a lot of work to get the right door to fit and I don't want both doors open.

I read a review on this kit, on Modeling Madness, I think, in which the reviewer ended up with a banana-shaped fuselage when looked at from above. I think I'll be able to avoid that by carefully fitting the cockpit floor which will stiffen up the fuselage some. Right now it is very bendy because of the door cutouts. Last thing I did today on the P-63 was to fit the vac form canopy. The right side of the fuselage is going to need some work here, as the aft part of the canopy doesn't fit the fuselage cutout, which is too low. It's going to have to be shimmed up with some sheet styrene to fit the vacform canopy. The curve on the fuselage is too low there compared to photos and the Monogram and Eduard P-39 kits.

That's all for now, folks!

John:

I anxious to see how your build progresses, not just becasue I like the King Cobra but also becuase I hope o build one someday. It would like nice next to a P-39 or P400.

I've read some reviews for your kit, too, and I can honestly say I respect your spirit of challenge to tackle this project. Please post pics when you can.

The first progress pics are up on the website

If your interested, the Hasawaga P-39Q/N has come out. I should be getting one in a couple days from VLS. I should be starting my P-39 Air-a-Cutie in the next couple days, once I wrap up my work on my FW190D9 "Red 3" From JV44.

 

 

So where are the pepole that were pulling out their hair waiting for Jan 1st?  The progress dawgs are starting to form packs.

 

I am hoping to get some work done on mine today as I wrap up the SSGB Boeing.

As a founding member of the "Progress Dogs" I can tell you that while I got off to a great start ,do to cicumstances beyond my control Progress was officialy halted wednsday at 6:00 pm central standard time. I will be holding a press conference later this week so I can relay any additional information on the situation. Untill then I would like to ask everyone to remain calm and double check your emergency supplies. As additional information becomes availible I will be compileing a report to be released after the press conference. I ask that any further questions be refered to our west coast office (hippy Ed). Thank you for your time.

davew6003 wrote:

As a founding member of the "Progress Dogs" I can tell you that while I got off to a great start ,do to cicumstances beyond my control Progress was officialy halted wednsday at 6:00 pm central standard time. I will be holding a press conference later this week so I can relay any additional information on the situation. Untill then I would like to ask everyone to remain calm and double check your emergency supplies. As additional information becomes availible I will be compileing a report to be released after the press conference. I ask that any further questions be refered to our west coast office (hippy Ed). Thank you for your time.

LOL... er... ahh... sorry. (ahem) 

We eagerly await the findings of this report.  And I believe I speak for the rest of the group when I say that we sincerely hope that reasons behind the recent cessation of modeling activities is not serious and in no way affects you health and well being.

 

(I remember when I was a "suit" and used to really write memos like that)

wing_nut wrote:

davew6003 wrote: As a founding member of the "Progress Dogs" I can tell you that while I got off to a great start ,do to cicumstances beyond my control Progress was officialy halted wednsday at 6:00 pm central standard time. I will be holding a press conference later this week so I can relay any additional information on the situation. Untill then I would like to ask everyone to remain calm and double check your emergency supplies. As additional information becomes availible I will be compileing a report to be released after the press conference. I ask that any further questions be refered to our west coast office (hippy Ed). Thank you for your time. LOL... er... ahh... sorry. (ahem)  We eagerly await the findings of this report.  And I believe I speak for the rest of the group when I say that we sincerely hope that reasons behind the recent cessation of modeling activities is not serious and in no way affects you health and well being.   (I remember when I was a "suit" and used to really write memos like that)

Actually I've made some good progress on the cockpit (yeah, right)...I just want to tidy it up with a wash and drybrushing before I post pics. Inspired by Bud, I think I'll make my first set of masking tape seat belts, too.

OK, you'll bnever believe that, so here's the truth:

I had a nasty bout of dislexia and ended up building the infamous 93-P, a rare but deadly jumbo ground attack float plane. It was really difficuly becuase I ended the build by trying to stuff the cockpit into the glued fuselage after adding the canopy.

 

 

Charles... did you see the article put up just today on HS about making tape belts.  I am gonna give this a try.

http://www.hyperscale.com/features/maskingtapeseatbeltsrf_1.htm

Yes, Marc. I thought with both the Hyperscale article (which I've already printed) and Bud's first try on his 339 Buffalo, I'd broaden my modelling horizons, as well. I actually even have both types of tape in my equipment box!

I should have something picture-worthy over the weekend. I am not sure how far you've gotten (I don't think you've started yet, no), but I think were bith using FS34092 for the interior...I really like how it looks. The blue tint really shows once it's dried.

Hey my decals just showed up in the mail !! They are just what I needed. Thanks.

Also I make my belts out of a heavy (kinda tissue ?) paper like what you might wrap a gift in. I have an old template for making racecar window nets that I use to cut the paper. It is very fragile but it works. Maybe I will post a pic later when I get time.

davew6003 wrote:

Hey my decals just showed up in the mail !! They are just what I needed. Thanks. Also I make my belts out of a heavy (kinda tissue ?) paper like what you might wrap a gift in. I have an old template for making racecar window nets that I use to cut the paper. It is very fragile but it works. Maybe I will post a pic later when I get time.

 

Git 'ER Done!!!

As for the memo, The west coast office never received a copy.  Corporate office screw up????

Hippy-Ed wrote:

As for the memo, The west coast office never received a copy.  Corporate office screw up????

 

Didn't get the memo huh?  What's that wadded up ball of paper stuck bewteen the rim and backboard of the mini B-Ball hoop on the bank of the waste basket?. HMMM?????

If it's not too late, I'd like to join this build. I just got my eduard dual combo in the mail, as well as an "airacobras at war part III" decal set. I'm planning on doing 1 a/c as a P-400 and the other as a P-39D. (by the way, anyone know which parts (plastic and PE) to use for the -D, since I know it was different than the Mk. 1/P-400? Oh yeah, 1 more thing: does anyone have an extra PE gun charging handle? Or know where I can get one? I dropped mine last night and no matter how hard I looked, it is now just another victim to chalk up for the carpet monster.