P-39 kit bash it can be done . But should it?

pickelhaube · Post by **pickelhaube** » Mon May 05, 2008 3:45 pm

I went to Kinkos today and enlarged a set of Squadron Signal prints of the P-39. I am always thinking of future projects. I always thought this could be done. But it will be a challange modyfing another P-40 to do a P-39 this time. Is it worth doing?

P-40 wings on top of the P-39 prints

The P-40 wings need to have about 3/4 of an inch cut off of each wing.

The P-40 fuse on top of the P-39 fuse.

The fuse laying on the prints . It is hard to see. But everything is off. The only thing that is close is the rear fuse. Cockpit , stab locaton and of course the nose need to be majorly reworked.

Shot of the front of the 39.

So is this worth doing?

GooglyDoogly · Post by **GooglyDoogly** » Mon May 05, 2008 5:30 pm

I'm not a big fan of the P-39, but I bet you'll make other people drool over your P-39 custom.

Especially if you painted with Soviet markings. I believe there are a couple of Soviet aces who used the P-39.

olifant · Post by **olifant** » Mon May 05, 2008 7:33 pm

PH:

For my viewing pleasure: YES

For your sanity: NO

VMF115 · Post by **VMF115** » Mon May 05, 2008 8:13 pm

olifant wrote:PH:

For my viewing pleasure: YES
For your sanity: NO

I agree

Trust me if you do you will have to add the engine compartment, the gun bay along with both cockpit doors that open, even if you don’t add those nice little extra I say do it. You might loose your mind in the process,

J/k……… you are one hell of a talented guy.

hint...hint....Try using a wooden buck mold to make the main Fuselage parts.

Airacobra · Post by **Airacobra** » Tue May 06, 2008 2:27 pm

I was blown away by the transformation of your KI-61 and P-36. I think you're plenty talented enough to do it, but since you have experience building large scale R/C planes I would recommend a scratch built balsa model. Either way, I would follow this build thread from start to finish.

pickelhaube · Post by **pickelhaube** » Tue May 06, 2008 6:05 pm

VMF115 wrote:
olifant wrote:PH:

For my viewing pleasure: YES
For your sanity: NO
I agree

Trust me if you do you will have to add the engine compartment, the gun bay along with both cockpit doors that open, even if you don’t add those nice little extra I say do it. You might loose your mind in the process, J/k……… you are one hell of a talented guy.

hint...hint....Try using a wooden buck mold to make the main Fuselage parts.

If ever I was to do this I think that I would make the prop spin the doors open and probably that would be the only working parts. It so much more work for each detail to work. I guess that is why it takes as long as it does for the big three to put something out there. They need to make there details robust and able some what to take abuse. Kind of like the Corsair wings breaking and landing gear breaking. To make a landing gear move scale like is a major task. That is why most of the landing gear I will do will have 2 sets. Because casting epoxy is not as robust as injection molded plastic and will only take a few times to snap.

As far as engine and gun bay yikes !!! I tell you I'll make the plane and let somebody else make the custom parts. That would be another niche. Have somebody make engines for all of the 1/18 made. A BMW motor for the 190. A Merlin for the 51. Allison for the 39,38 and 40. I think the only scale motor out there is the Pratt and Whitney for the BBI Hellcat. That is a little beauty.

RED · Post by **RED** » Wed May 07, 2008 5:06 pm

Hey brother!!! Yes it should be done---in Guadalcanal colors too!!!!

---RED---

immeww2 · Post by **immeww2** » Wed May 07, 2008 8:20 pm

Go for it!!!!