The P-39 was much
maligned by many operators except for the Soviets, besides being deployed in
every theater it also served as a training fighter for future USAF aces. This is
P-39Q-10 of Lt. “Bud” Anderson”, 363rd FS / 357th FG out of Oroville, Ca.
The first “Old Crow” and it would appear on all future fighters including
his Viet Nam F-105. Like his friend Chuck Yeager, and squadron mates, they
appreciated the P-39 as a trainer. All units of the 357th were assigned the
Airacobra for training, then they were the first group in the ETO to get
Mustangs, beginning operations in Feb. of 44. The 357th scored a higher number
of air-to-air kills than any other unit in the 8th AF. Making up about one
fourth of all Mustang kills, second only to the 354th FG. One picture has the
P-39 of Anderson and his P-51 from November of 44, in the OD scheme. Used the
SuperScale 48-1067 P-51B/D Mustangs of Bud Anderson and is a Tamiya kit.
Click on
images below to see larger images
|
|
I also had the distinct
pleasure of meeting “Bud” Anderson about 5 years ago at the “Wings of the
North” air show at the Flying Cloud Airport in Eden Prairie, Mn. I was
fortunate to have him sign my Osprey Aircraft of the Aces “Mustang Aces of the
Eighth Air Force”. The picture of that signature also shows a picture of his
P-39 from Aircraft of the Aces “P-39 Airacobra Aces of World War 2”.
This version still
retained 3 bladed Aerodynamics prop. The two 30 caliber guns per wing were
replaced by single under wing 50 caliber gun pods, plane also could carry a
single bomb on the belly rack.
This is the 1/48
Eduard P-39Q weekend kit, it is well designed, instructions are clear and
concise. The kit contains decals for the “71st TRS, 82nd TRG
Snooks II”. I used AeroMaster 48-593 Airacobra’s at War Pt 1, they
were well printed and had no issues with transferring them to the model.
Used Model Masters Olive Drab spray paint and Tamiya USAF AS-7 gray spray
paint
References:
-
Eduard
instructions
-
P-39 Airacobra
in action – Squadron/Signal Publications
-
Osprey
Aircraft of the Aces:
-
#1 – Mustang
Aces of the Eight Air Force.
-
#36 – P-39
Airacobra Aces of World War 2
Thanks
TCAH
Mark L. Rossmann
Click on
images below to see larger images
|
|
|
|
|