Hobby Master 1/72 - P-39Q Aircobra 42-19551, 48th FS, 15th FG, 7AF, Makin Island, Autumn, 1943 "Devastating Devil"

Hobby Master 1/72 - P-39Q Aircobra 42-19551, 48th FS, 15th FG, 7AF, Makin Island, Autumn, 1943 "Devastating Devil"

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 the Bell Aircraft company. 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.

The Aircraft

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.

Specifications :

Manufacturer:	Bell Aircraft.
Number built:	4,905
Armament:	1 X 37-mm cannon, 2 X .37 caliber machine guns, a single 0.50 caliber with 300 rounds of ammunition in a pod under each wing.
Powerplant:	Allison V-1710-85 1,200 hp
Maximum speed:	385 mph @ 15,000 feet
Rate of climb:	4.5 minutes to 15,000 feet
Ceiling:	35,000 feet
Maximum range:	1,100 miles
Combat range:	650 miles
Wingspan:	34 feet
Length:	30 feet 2 inches
Height:	12 feet 5 inches
Empty weight:	5,645 pounds
Gross weight:	7,700 pounds
Maximum take-off weight:	8,350 pounds
Maximum internal fuel load:	120 US gallons
Maximum external fuel load:	175 US gallons