Bell P-39K/N Weekend Edition
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Kit Review
This is a reissue of the kit first released in 2000, done here in the simplified Weekend Edition series without photo-etched or masks.
Inside the box you will find three sprues of a dark grey-coloured plastic and a single one in clear plastic. Surface detail is via engraved lines, with no rivets, plus raised ribs for the fabric-covered control surfaces. All colour call-outs are via Gunze-Sangyo Mr Aqueous Hobby Color and Mr Color ranges. Alternative parts are included for drop tank or 500lb bomb on the centreline rack, plus standard or 'weighted' main and nose wheel tyres. As before, the option to have one or both car doors open is included, plus the American and British style of exhaust stacks are included on the sprues, although only the former are used in this instance. The instructions have been modified to denote that weight is required in the nose, as the ProfiPACK kits had a die-cast metal weight included for this, however the amount needed is not quoted.
Markings
The kit offers two decal options:
• P-39N, 41-18805, flown by Capt. G.A. Hilbert, 41st FS, 35th FG, Tsili Tsili AB, New Guinea, September 1943
• P-39K, 42-4358, flown by Lt W. McDonough, 40th FS, 35th FG, Port Moresby, New Guinea, February 1943
The decal sheet, which is printed by Eduard, is excellent and has perfect register and colour density. It includes a set of airframe stencils as well as the wing root walkways, seat belts and instrument panel.
Conclusion
Still the best choice for the P-39/P-400 in this scale, the parts have remained crisp and well moulded with no sign of flash or other mould wear. The lack of the die-cast nose weight seen in the original is no great problem, although you will have to add quite a lot of weight into the nose area to ensure this one does not sit on its tail. Our thanks to Eduard (www.eduard.com) for the review sample, UK modellers can obtain this kit from Hannants here.
This is a reissue of the kit first released in 2000, done here in the simplified Weekend Edition series without photo-etched or masks.
Inside the box you will find three sprues of a dark grey-coloured plastic and a single one in clear plastic. Surface detail is via engraved lines, with no rivets, plus raised ribs for the fabric-covered control surfaces. All colour call-outs are via Gunze-Sangyo Mr Aqueous Hobby Color and Mr Color ranges. Alternative parts are included for drop tank or 500lb bomb on the centreline rack, plus standard or 'weighted' main and nose wheel tyres. As before, the option to have one or both car doors open is included, plus the American and British style of exhaust stacks are included on the sprues, although only the former are used in this instance. The instructions have been modified to denote that weight is required in the nose, as the ProfiPACK kits had a die-cast metal weight included for this, however the amount needed is not quoted.
Markings
The kit offers two decal options:
• P-39N, 41-18805, flown by Capt. G.A. Hilbert, 41st FS, 35th FG, Tsili Tsili AB, New Guinea, September 1943
• P-39K, 42-4358, flown by Lt W. McDonough, 40th FS, 35th FG, Port Moresby, New Guinea, February 1943
The decal sheet, which is printed by Eduard, is excellent and has perfect register and colour density. It includes a set of airframe stencils as well as the wing root walkways, seat belts and instrument panel.
Conclusion
Still the best choice for the P-39/P-400 in this scale, the parts have remained crisp and well moulded with no sign of flash or other mould wear. The lack of the die-cast nose weight seen in the original is no great problem, although you will have to add quite a lot of weight into the nose area to ensure this one does not sit on its tail. Our thanks to Eduard (www.eduard.com) for the review sample, UK modellers can obtain this kit from Hannants here.
