[Cruver Collecter]

Originally Posted by djjeffhall

Cruver,
Hey there.

I've got a couple of Airacobra's on the way and I was considering doing something like taking a piece of really thin wire, cutting it down and putting it in with a (small) drop of white glue. (Because I have NO modelling skills whatsoever.)

My idea wouldn't be as good as your idea, but since you have the bird in front of you, do you think I can reasonably pull something like that off?

Not sure, but wire may just be a little to thick. I had to bevel the edge for the end were the barrel comes out of the fuselage pretty thin. For this project white glue is the way to go, no sence taking any chances marring the fuselage.

[ZS-VAN]

That bird sure looks cool, great job! Why didn't HM just do that in the first place?!

[Cruver Collecter]

Originally Posted by ZS-VAN

That bird sure looks cool, great job! Why didn't HM just do that in the first place?!

Thanks, my best guess is that if they had tried to incorporate it into the mold, it probably would not have looked right. Tacking on little tiny gun barrels would also be an assembly line nightmare in that it would probably slowed up the process. Have a feeling that HM probably went with the better choice in going with just the gun troughs. For the project the biggest challenge was sanding down the gun barrels to fit just right, and it was a bit of a chore. Overal it did come out looking good though. HM does put out some nice looking P-39s.

[Hornchurch]

Originally Posted by HotTrap429

I wouldn't mess with the guns as they look really good as is.
That's a really sharp looking P-39.

Originally Posted by djjeffhall

I've got a couple of Airacobra's on the way and I was considering doing something like taking a piece of really thin wire, cutting it down and putting it in with a (small) drop of white glue. (Because I have NO modelling skills whatsoever.)
My idea wouldn't be as good as your idea, but since you have the bird in front of you,
do you think I can reasonably pull something like that off?

Originally Posted by Cruver Collecter

Not sure, but wire may just be a little to thick. I had to bevel the edge for the end were the barrel comes out of the fuselage pretty thin. For this project white glue is the way to go,
.........no sense taking any chances marring the fuselage.

Originally Posted by ZS-VAN

That bird sure looks cool, great job! Why didn't HM just do that in the first place?!

Originally Posted by Cruver Collecter

but one of the critiques for the HM P-39s is the absence of gun barrels in the nose. So a little over a week ago I started to make some gun barrels to place in the gun troughs in the nose of the model. I really had to sand down the barrels as thin for more of a flush fit in the troughs (Well at least close to a flush fit). They are slightly over scale in length so as they can be seen better. If closer to scale, well might just be a bit hard to see. This is my first crack at it and might do a second set of barrels to see I can improve how it looks.

Whilst I take my (figurative) 'Hat' off to Cruv' for being brave enough to attempt it...........

I've Highlighted (you guys !) reasons why I WOULDN'T attempt this brave move......!!!!!!!!!

I've taken the liberty of inserting a (decent) photo of a 601 Sqdn P.39, between Cruv's shots.

Check out the .303 'Gun-Port' (barrel)-area on the 1941 picture (it's clear enough)

To risk, or NOT to risk ?????????

Me personally, I wouldn't risk it on this one.......( the 'RAF' 601 Sqdn machine)

Whether it's more pronounced on a Soviet-machine (or not ?) I wouldn't know....!!!!!!!!

I 'tip-my-hat' to those of you, brave enough to WANT to try it - thereby risking a 'sweet' model........

[Cruver Collecter]

Originally Posted by Hornchurch

Whilst I take my (figurative) 'Hat' off to Cruv' for being brave enough to attempt it...........

I've Highlighted (you guys !) reasons why I WOULDN'T attempt this brave move......!!!!!!!!!

I've taken the liberty of inserting a (decent) photo of a 601 Sqdn P.39, between Cruv's shots.

Check out the .303 'Gun-Port' (barrel)-area on the 1941 picture (it's clear enough)

To risk, or NOT to risk ?????????

Me personally, I wouldn't risk it on this one.......( the 'RAF' 601 Sqdn machine)

Whether it's more pronounced on a Soviet-machine (or not ?) I wouldn't know....!!!!!!!!

I 'tip-my-hat' to those of you, brave enough to WANT to try it - thereby risking a 'sweet' model........

You make a good point, fortunately they are only on with white glue so no chance of marring the surface. I could not find any real decent close ups of the cowling on the Airacobral Mk.I . I did have one of the Detail Drawings by L.H. Clark in an old Aeroplane Spotter pub as an example and the depictions in Squadron in action pointed towards exposed gun barrels. Surprised that L.H. Clark depicted it off, his illustrations are usually spot on. Will keep the gun barrels on for the time being though.

[11SQNLDR]

You've done a fine job there Cruver, making a great model excellent. I doubt that i'd have the patience or dexterity!!

[Cruver Collecter]

Originally Posted by 11SQNLDR

You've done a fine job there Cruver, making a great model excellent. I doubt that i'd have the patience or dexterity!!

I am getting to the point where I think I need new glasses too.

[Hornchurch]

Originally Posted by Cruver Collecter

You make a good point, fortunately they are only on with white glue so no chance of marring the surface. I could not find any real decent close ups of the cowling on the Airacobral Mk.I . I did have one of the Detail Drawings by L.H. Clark in an old Aeroplane Spotter pub as an example and the depictions in Squadron in action pointed towards exposed gun barrels. Surprised that L.H. Clark depicted it off, his illustrations are usually spot on. Will keep the gun barrels on for the time being though.

Don't blame you, being foxed.

You can only 'Go' with the reference source(s) you've got - it's inevitable that someone else will/OR may pull out an angle/shot not seen before, or from a totally different source.......

Takes skill & courage to pull off a mod' like you've done, whichever way you book it.....!!!!!!!!!

Me, I guess I'd be happy with the way H.M. produced it - BUT; till I read your previous post on the 'other' (main) thread, I was always under the impression that RAF P.39's had .303's in the nose ??????? (Guess not ?)

What was the Russian/Soviet nose - M.G. configuration......... 2 x 12.7mm ??????? (to augment the central-cannon ?).