The Modeller's Guide to
Bell P-39 Airacobra
In RAAF Service

by Gary Byk
 

Red Roo

Reviewed by Dallas Gavan

HyperScale is proudly supported by Squadron.com

This book is number 4 in a series of aircraft monographs, concentrating on aircraft that served with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), prepared by Red Roo Models. The series to date covers the Boston, Buffalo, Kingfisher, Kiowa, Mustang, Mirage and a book on understanding RAAF colour schemes.

The books are specifically written with both the modeller and enthusiast in mind, covering not only the history of the aircraft, but also tips for building the relevant models. Anyone interested in RAAF aircraft of WWII, or the P-39 family of aircraft, should be interested in this book. The book is available from Red Roo Models ( http://www.redroomodels.com ). The book sells for $18.50AUD and shipping is at cost.

History

The history of the P-39 is fairly well known. And it's also dealt with, in detail, in the book- so I won't repeat it here. Instead I'll give a quick overview of the aircraft's history in RAAF service. Most Australians wouldn't know that the RAAF flew P-39's in WWII. Loaned to the RAAF by the USAAF, at a time when Australia was desperate for any sort of modern fighter, these aircraft never saw combat. Instead they were allocated to squadrons tasked with patrolling around major cities, protecting against Japanese intruders such as the one that reconnoitred Sydney, prior to a midget submarine attack, in 1942. Eventually the P39's were replaced by the more favoured P-40 and CAC Boomerang. The surviving aircraft (some had been lost in crashes) were returned to the USAAF.

Format

The book is in a soft-bound, A4 format and contains 94 pages. Each copy is individually numbered and signed by the author and the book first appeared in 1997. Obviously the work of a "desk top publisher", this is nevertheless a well-made and study addition to my library. While it would be nice to see the book in hard-cover format, the probable cost of such means I probably couldn't afford to buy it. By staying with the desk-top publishing method, Red Roo have made the book available to anyone who wants it, at a reasonable price.

Contents

The book is broken up into nine chapters and three appendices. These cover:

• The history of the aircraft,

• US nomenclature and markings

• Aircraft structure and construction,

• P-39 camouflage and markings in RAAF service,

• Building the available models,

• A gallery and a folio of plans and aircraft service cards.

The appendices cover the RAAF's general camouflage instructions and fleet list, P-39D and -39F specifications and model development and FS and BS numbers for matching (as closely as possible) RAAF paints.

The P-39 has long been a source of debate among Australian aircraft modellers. Colour schemes were poorly documented and with many aircraft rushed into service after minimal preparation, the colours and patterns that were used are open to all sorts of interpretations. Where there's some debate on what colours an aircraft sported, Gary discusses the matter and then (probably wisely) leaves the reader to decide.

The aircraft profiles given show a number of schemes- the common, early Olive Drab over RAAF Sky Blue (the only undersurface colour used, apparently) predominates. Others are Foliage Green and Earth Brown, Foliage Green and Olive Drab and an aircraft that is Olive Drab and either Medium Sea Grey or Dark Sea Grey camouflage. Some unusual schemes appear before you start looking at the markings. 23 Squadron's aircraft, for example, had a two letter code (squadron letter and aircraft letter) painted on the nose.

Also included are colour chips for Foliage Green, Earth Brown and Sky Blue, for those who want more than an approximate FS number to go by.

There's numerous scale plans and B&W photo's of the various P-39's in service with the RAAF, as well as some shots of USAAF aircraft and some useful shots of an aircraft undergoing restoration- showing plenty of detail. Most of the photo's have well written, comprehensive captions explaining possible colours of the aircraft, the markings and any unusual features.

The chapter on the various models that have been made of the P-39 gives details of shortcomings with the models, tips to improve them and also looks at after-market accessories and decals. Produced before the excellent Eduard kit hit the market, the book necessarily concentrates on the Monogram 1/48 kit as well as the 1/72 scale offerings from Airfix, Revell and Heller. Surprisingly neither Hasegawa nor Tamiya seem to have kitted this aircraft in any scale.

Is the book worth the price? No doubt at all. If you're looking for a scheme that's a little different from the usual USAAF or USSR examples then you'll find plenty of material in this book. There are early paint schemes, with blue and white upper wing markings but red, white and blue markings elsewhere. Aircraft with two-letter codes on the nose and others with the usual RAAF markings, but unusual camouflage, are detailed. On a table full of "Air-a-Cuties", USAAF and USSR types, an OD, foliage green and sky blue P-39F, with RAAF blue and white roundels, will surely stand out.

Highly Recommended