P-39 Airacobra 1/32 Scale – Special Hobby
This is a model of a P 39 Q that was stationed on Makin Island in the Gilberts in 1943. The aircraft were originally painted in olive drab and whilst on the island they were re painted in a sand colour which used to weather quite extensively from the prop wash from the aircraft and the conditions on the island. The aircraft were mainly used for ground attack and strafing of shipping in the area.
The Special Hobby Kit needed quite a bit of work, I opened up the engine bay and added an engine from my spares box, I got detail sets from Eduard and Aires for the cockpit and gun bays.
This is a kit I built 2 years ago, and every time I look at it I feel I could have done more.
I am leaving the Congo on the 17 July to get back home and do some serious building again, cant wait.
Hope you enjoy the pictures Guys
Marc
11 additional images. Click to enlarge.
Rob Pollock said on July 16, 2015
What you need, Marc, is a bit more weathering, haha. Seriously, nicely rendered. I see Kitty Hawk is about to release a new-tool P-39Q in 1/32. I haven't been modelling many aircraft for awhile, but the KH kit has tweaked my interest.
Marc Barris said on July 16, 2015
I would like to try the Kitty Hawk kit, it looks real good, as for the weathering, I TRY, Ha ha. Thanks Rob.
George Williams said on July 16, 2015
From the information you've given it looks pretty convincing to me, Marc. Are you taking this home from the Congo, or is it something you built before going there?
Marc Barris said on July 16, 2015
Hi George, I built this before going to the Congo, I am a project Manager here on one of the mines for a South African based company, I don't have much time for any thing here except work. so I look forward to getting home and getting on with my building projects. Thanks for the comment though.
Mike Maynard said on July 16, 2015
I always thought that this plane, with it's cockpit doors, was a Piper Cub with a gun in it's nose. Really a nice build, very good attention to detail.
Marc Barris said on July 16, 2015
Thanks Mike, always great getting a comment from you.
Bernard E. Hackett, Jr. said on July 16, 2015
Marc, supposedly the color was to blend in with the crushed coral they used to make the airstrip. Myself, I suspect the engineers did it to keep from going rock happy. These and the P-40Ns they also painted are real standouts in any group of P-40s.
I saw a P-40N at an airshow years ago, painted in a vivid pink, piloted by a lady. I made it a point to tell her how I enjoyed the planes paint job. She was good looking, too.
Marc Barris said on July 16, 2015
Hey Bernard, I would give all my models away to meet a lady in a pink P 40, don't care if she was good looking. Ha Ha. Thanks for the comment.
Bernard E. Hackett, Jr. said on July 16, 2015
Marc, she was a cutie, but her husband, who had his own airplane, was bigger than I was. Plus, with her own P-40, she was outa my league. Curses!
Richard Mcstay said on July 16, 2015
Very impressive weathering Marc, It looks like it's done a few flights!
Marc Barris said on July 16, 2015
Thanks Richard. I wanted it to look a little beaten up.
Greg Kittinger said on July 16, 2015
Really like it Marc. I like the scheme (and weathering) and may try that on one of my 1/72 Aircrobras.
Marc Barris said on July 16, 2015
Hi Greg, Did all the weathering by hand with Olive Drab, It worked out ok, Lots of hand painting though, need to try that liquid mask next time. Thanks for the comment.
Tom Cleaver said on July 16, 2015
I'll join the crowd about that weathering. It looks great.
Marc Barris said on July 16, 2015
Thanks as always for the comment Tom.
Simon Whitney said on July 16, 2015
Great work Marc, you got that weathered look right off.
Well done mate.
Marc Barris said on July 16, 2015
Thanks Simon.
Terry Schuler said on July 16, 2015
I've always liked the P-39, especially when they are done well. This one is done very well. Nice work Marc !
Marc Barris said on July 18, 2015
Thanks for the comment Terry.
Craig Abrahamson said on July 16, 2015
"...down and dirty..." - I can see a lot of thought went into this. Good work!
Marc Barris said on July 18, 2015
Hey Craig, thanks for the comment, it is a bit down and dirty, the reference pictures I have show the P 39's on Makin looking really well used.
DE4EVER said on July 17, 2015
Greetings :
Nice work Marc, very good weathering.
Thanks for the images, hope too see more of your work.
Marc Barris said on July 18, 2015
Thanks a mil, having looked at the quality of your models, the comment is appreciated.
Morne Meyer said on July 20, 2015
Uitstekend ! Kan nie wag om jou volgende projek te sien nie! Weathering is spot on!
Marc Barris said on July 20, 2015
Dankie Morne, ek waardeer dit. Marc