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This 1/72 scale Bell P-39 Airacobra Hobby Master model features the paint scheme flown by the Marines at Makin Island.
As told by the HobbyMasterCollector.com, The P-39Q has the distinction of being the most produced series with 4,905 built. The Q also was the last version of the Airacobra to be made by Bell. The main difference between the Q version and earlier versions was the replacement of the 4 wing-mounted 0.30 – inch machine guns with a single 0.50 –inch machine gun mounted inside a pod attached to the bottom of each wing. The P-39Q-1-BE also regained the additional 231 pounds of armor of the P-31N-1.
US Marines recaptured Makin Island in the Gilbert Islands chain in the Fall of 1943 and immediately built an airbase. It became the home base for the 15th FG, 46th FS and their P-39s on December 18, 1943. The “Devastating Devil” pinkish sand paint scheme definitely was a stand out among all the greens. This P-39 was painted with the intention of it going to North Africa but it managed to find its way into the PTO. As well as escorts for the Makin A-24s on their bombing raids the P-39s bombed and strafed ground targets
Like all Hobby Master models, this piece comes with a highly detailed paint scheme, movable canopy, retractable gear, movable rudder and rolling wheels. It has so many movable features that it almost seems more like an RC model than a pre-built diecast display. |