Hobby Master 1:72 Air Power Series HA1701
Bell P-39N Airacobra Diecast Model
Soviet Air Force 9 Gv.IAD, Aleksandr Pokryshkin, 1944
| 1:72 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| Bell P-39N Airacobra | | 5" | | 5.75" |
Every country except the Soviet Union disliked the P-39. All wanted it to perform well above 20,000 feet but it didn’t because of a supercharger instead of a turbo-charger and weight. The Soviets liked the low altitude speed and maneuverability, excellent structural integrity, and heavy armament, everything they needed to fight the type of war on the Eastern Front. They were so pleased by these attributes that they nicknamed it “The Iron Dog”. There were 9,585 P-39s of all variants built with about 4,500 going to the Soviets.
Aleksandr I. Pokryshkin was a leading Soviet ace with 59 kills of which 48 came flying a P-39. He applied his own methods of attacking instead of the methods set out by the military. The military methods left the aircraft vulnerable to ground fire and German fighters but eventually Pokryshkin’s methods were adopted as standard practice. Aleksandr was also the C/O of the 9th GFD (Guards Fighter Division) formerly the 216th Fighter Division. This group had none less than 28 aces with a minimum of 15 kills while flying the P-39.
Hobby Master 1:72 Air Power Series
The Hobby Master "1:72 Air Power Series" presents detailed, ready-made diecast models of military aircraft.
Hobby Master "1:72 Air Power Series" diecast airplanes feature:
- Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
- Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
- Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
- Opening canopies, revealing detailed cockpit interiors.
Optional extended/retracted landing gear.
- Presentation stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
- Authentic detachable ordnance loads complete with placards.
- Accurately detailed underside with concealed screwheads.
Bell P-39N Airacobra
Designed as a single-engine high-altitude interceptor aircraft, the P-39 was first flown on April 6th, 1938. The main purpose of the engine configuration, placed behind the cockpit, was to free up space for the heavy main armament, a 37 mm cannon firing through the center of the propeller hub for optimum accuracy and stability. Unfortunately the Airacobra was vulnerable to any enemy fighter with decent high altitude performance, but its rear-mounted engine made it ideal for ground attack since return fire was less likely to hit the engine. The rate of fire of the 37mm cannon was rather slow for air to air combat. The Airacobra saw combat throughout the world, particularly in the Pacific, Mediterranean and Russian theaters.
Picture courtesy of www.tricatus.co.uk
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