[Airblake]

I just received some models from the "Mule" one of which is the IXO Cobra.

I like to display my planes with the landing gear retracted but there is no piece I can find in the box to cover the holes where the front wheel would fit with the landing gear down.

Am I missing a part? from the directions it appears there is no covering part for the front wheel section.

If this is the way the model is suppose to look what can be done to cover the front wheel section?

Help please.

[Epapazian]

No. The IXO folks just couldn't bother supplying that particular part. They did the same thing with other planes, more or less as the mood took them. While the IXO P-39 isn't as bad as its F4F or P-38, to name only a few examples, if you wish to display it in the flying mode--as I do-- you need to fabricate something to fill that open space. I used a piece of wood, cut to the right shape, which I painted and installed. Of course, as soon as my Hobby Master P-39s arrive, the IXO will go into storage.

[Airblake]

Thanks that helps. Now I know I'm not missing a part and I like your wood idea.

I really like the lines of the Cobra and I too look forward to the HM version.

[Shawn 507]

I just got one in trade from Fileasfog. Its a neat little plane, actually I was shocked at its size. Still landing gear bay doors aside I like it. I was thinking of doing a re-paint but I think I'll leave it alone.
Makes me wonder though, what the plane could have been with a Mustang engine in there. It has all the right lines, just a weak engine.
- Shawn

[Captain Eddie]

I agree with Shawn on the looks of the P 39. It goes against the saying that if it looks good, it IS good. the P-39 has great lines, looks like a thoroughbred...but wasn't. He asks a good question....what WOULD the aircraft have been like with a Packard built Merlin in it?

[ZS-VAN]

It is an interesting question. One which will probably remain unanswered, so then the question is, would more power alone addressed its shortcomings?

[leeG]

Originally Posted by ZS-VAN

It is an interesting question. One which will probably remain unanswered, so then the question is, would more power alone addressed its shortcomings?

The P-39 had a bad reputation with American and British pilots for various real and imaginary vices. Providing more power at higher altitudes may or may not have helped. Chuck Yeager considered it one of the best fighters he ever flew and would have been happy to take it to war. But then he was an excellent pilot who appreciated the P-39s performance and handling and wasn't afraid of it. Below 15,000 feet where the Allison was putting out good power, it was an excellent fighter - look at all the Russians who made ace in it!

[Shawn 507]

Oh some tech savy guy could probably punch in the data and come up with some idea of how it would've performed. Its just finding the guy who can do it. My only other change right now would have been to make the door open towards the rear. That would make bailing out easier.
- Shawn

[leeG]

Originally Posted by Shawn 507

Oh some tech savy guy could probably punch in the data and come up with some idea of how it would've performed. Its just finding the guy who can do it. My only other change right now would have been to make the door open towards the rear. That would make bailing out easier.
- Shawn

Pull the emergency release and the whole door pops off. Doesn't matter what side the hinge is on. Having the door open towards the rear would make it harder to shut the door if you got in with the engine running. It would also make it more dangerous if the door accidentally opened in flight.

The difference in performance between a P-39 with Allison and a P-39 with Merlin would be the same as the difference in performance between the P-51A with Allison and the P-51B with Merlin. No rocket science here, just engine power versus altitude performance curves. The original P-39 prototype had a turbo-supercharger and was a literal rocket, climbing to 20,000 feet in 5 minutes. Among the changes the Army made for production was to leave the turbo-supercharger off. Looks pretty foolish in hind-sight. The P-63 corrected that problem.

[Shawn 507]

Well I did not know about the door, but makes sense. We see it everyday yet forget about such things. Imagine a RR Packard Merlin equipped, 37mm spitting fighter taking on Jerry during the BoB. Supported by spits and Hurricanes. Would have help to make short order of the German bombers. Then providing top cover for the US II Corps in North Africa. Or in support of the Allies in France along side rocket firing P-47s.
Ah well one can wonder. But just think of the paint schemes, invasion stripes and the like...