Arma P-39Q Airacobra 1/72 scale
With all the (apparently well-deserved) excitement about the release of the long-awaited 1/48 scale Arma Hurricane, I submit the following to show what really terrific kits Arma makes in the smaller scale, too.
This is my third Arma kit. Some of the parts are very tiny and very easy to lose, so caution is necessary. The detail of the parts is exceptional. I was fortunate to order the kit prior to its release, so Arma included some 3D printed parts the best of which is a detailed 1/72 scale seat with belts. It may be the most detailed aftermarket part I have ever had the pleasure of using.
Arma supplies three steel ball bearings to weight the nose so the model will not be a tail-sitter. As I was getting to the end and attaching all the small bits and pieces, I came to a place where I had only the prop and the cockpit doors to attach. And the model was sitting on its tail! I was not pleased. But once I glued the prop and the doors on, it sat on its tricycle landing gear. That is great engineering on Arma's part to weight the model so precisely.
I liked the unusual color scheme for an Airacobra stationed on Makin Island in the Gilberts. The color was unusual; however, I could not find a match for it anywhere. I settled for Vallejo Model Air 71.143 UK Light Stone.
These Arma kits are a real pleasure to build and display. The finished models have exceptional presence on the display shelf.
Very nicely done. The detail, at that scale is truly amazing. I like that they included the "correct" amount of weight in the kit so you don't have to guess. I built an early 1/48 Eduard P-39Q and they included a weight that made up the nose gear bay. Little touches like that mean a lot to me.
Thanks, Tom (@trod348). I agree. I hate it where the directions only have a note saying "Add Weight" and an arrow pointing to the nose. They should know that we already knew that.
Great build, Matt. Really dig the overall look of your model. It is special.
Thanks, Bob (@bails). I think the Airacobra was one of the most attractive designs to come out of the war.
Looks great! I'm just finishing up the Arma Hobby P-39N in the same scale. They are beautiful kits, though a tad over-engineered in my opinion. They build up into beautiful models, as yours shows so well!
Thanks, Greg (@gkittinger). To me, Arma 1/72 scale kits are really shrunken 1/48 scale kits. And the take as long (for me)!
Very nice. Looks bigger than 1/72. The Arma 1/72 kits really are the best 1/72 kits out there.
The color was "desert tan," which faded rapidly under sunlight, with the fading going into the red range, which resulted in it being called "desert pink." It was whatever color that particular airplane had faded to, so that's how you get it - take the color you used, then add however much red you want to get the shade you like.
Thank you, Tom (@tcinla). I will keep your info in mind for when I finally get around to my Academy B-24D I would like to make in desert camouflage. With these Makin P-39's, I wonder where they were painted. Certainly not in the Gilberts. Who had the time and facilities for that? Maybe they were destined for Africa and came in that color or were painted at some depot in Australia? And as you say, rapid fading under tropic sunlight. Thanks again for the information./
Fantastic build, Matt! Looks bigger than 1/72 for sure! Love the chosen scheme, which you replicated very realistically.
Thank you, Spiro (@fiveten)! Arma kits are such a joy to build.
Nice work, Matt!
Thank you, John (@j-healy).
Very nice! 👍
Thank you, Gary (@garybrantley)!
Nicely weathered and finished.
Thank you, John (@jdtruby)
Very nice Airacobra - looks good in tan.
Thank you, Chas (@chasbunch).
Well done, Matt (@matthewfdyer). The Airacobra can be a difficult plane to build, especially in 1/72, but you have clearly mastered the model. I have built several Arma kits, and they are really nice to build.
Thank you, George (@gblair). I am glad you enjoy Arma kits as much as I do. I wonder what the next American WWII aircraft will be.
Good question, Matt (@matthewfdyer). I don't really do many 1/72 models anymore, but the Arma kits seem to work well despite my old eyes. My Dad was stationed on Adak in the Aleutian Islands at the start of the war, so a P-39 in the markings used there is on my list to do. I wonder what they would do with a series of 1/72 Venturas, or how about a nice series of B-10s?
It is funny you would mention the Ventura, George (@gblair). I just started the Revell 1/48 PV-1 Ventura a few days ago. It has been in my stash since 2011 when it was first issued. Surprisingly good kit. Good part fit, nice surface detail, and the clear parts are pretty nice. For a Revell kit, it is okay. (Molded in Korea, and maybe the molds were made there too.) Not sure which markings yet. I have an Xtradecal sheet. I built the Academy 1/72 Ventura years ago. Not a bad kit in its day. Happy Labor Day!
I have some photos of Aleutian Venturas that were a slightly different version than those in the Revell kt. A little kit-bashing is in store when I do that one. It does look like a good kit. You also have a good holiday.
Neat plane and great scale!
Thank you, Emberson (@embersonfedders).
Excellent result, Matt @matthewfdyer
Hard to believe this is 1/72, with all the details and building quality it looks much bigger.
I do love the applied scheme.
Thank you, John (@johnb). I zeroed right in on that scheme as soon as I opened the box.
The kit may be good, but it takes skill to get it looking like this.
Thank you, George (@chinesegeorge).
Very good work! Nice colors!
Thank you, Lis (@lis). I built two Eduard P-39's previously, one o.d. over grey and one sand & spinach over grey. The sand color was just too different to pass up.
Sand color is specific. I used for my P-40 deck sand Mr color.
Matt, I've always like the looks of the P-39, especially when its built well like this one !
Thank you, Terry (@shoobiz). The P-39 has a timeless coolness.
Nicely done, might have to get me one.
Tail end Charlie here. Matt I can parrot what others have said . . . however, some strong work on P-39. Arma kits are real Jewels with levels of detail found in 1/48 scale kits. That is my first impression of this build. Something to be proud about and write letter to home about. Looking forward to seeing your next build.
Thank you, Stephen (@stephen-w-towle). Arma certainly does a lot to set one up for success. OpiVISOR needed for some of us "experienced" modelers!
Very well done, Matt. It is a really awesome kit, and one you won't see too often in those markings. Excellent!
Thank you, Frederick (@fjs3). I wish I knew more of the history of how those P-39's came to be that color.