1/48 Eduard P-39Q-10

Gallery Article by Mark L. Rossmann on Nov 16 2011

 

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.  

 

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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

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Photos and text © by Mark L. Rossmann