This is Academy's very
nice P-39N/Q kit. I used Verlinden's detail set for the
kit. The overall quality is good with nice surface detail and finely
engraved panel lines. Some details are simplified such as the
cockpit, landing gear and shallow main wheel wells. The Verlinden set adds
a resin cockpit, gun bay, engine, radio compartment and control surfaces.
There is also a photo-etch sheet that adds flaps and landing gear detail
and doors. The photo-etch also has the access panels for the engine,
gun and radio bays BUT these are etched the wrong way around! they
are for the right side of the aircraft and the open bays are on the left.
One day I will use these pieces as patterns to build panels out of plastic
sheet.
Click on
images below to see larger images
The resin parts
fit quite well. The big complication was that the gun bay
insert reduced the amount of space for adding weight in the nose. I
used lead and smashed it thin and then folded it into little squares to
fit in the nose, under the seat and behind the seat. I filled every
space I could forward of the main gear and it just barely sits on the nose
wheel, but it does. This was an enjoyable project
and the first time I have done surgery on a kit, I usually build 'out of the
box'.
Cheers!
Bill
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