Bell P-39 Airacobra and P-63 Kingcobra confusion but so interesting

rsv1cox Fri Jan 07, 2022 10:31 am

I love these things, and could go deep into their history but that would take pages. Think wiki if you want a deep dive.

The current issue of Air classics got me going again. Pictures from that wonderful magazine.

Bell P-39 Airacobra and P-63 Kingcobra confusion but so interesting Scan_113

Bell P-39 Airacobra and P-63 Kingcobra confusion but so interesting Scan_112

Bell P-39 Airacobra and P-63 Kingcobra confusion but so interesting Scan_114

P-39/P-63 two very different airplanes that looked very similiar. P-39 rounded tail/rudder, much smaller, 3 bladed prop. P-63 much larger, four blade prop, clipped tail/rudder.

Bell P-39 Airacobra and P-63 Kingcobra confusion but so interesting P-39_p10

I had ambitions of building a mid engine one using a BD-5 engine /drive but gave it away.

I have half a dozen Wen Mac models marketed as both a P-39 and P-63 but they were the same - modeled on the P-63

Bell P-39 Airacobra and P-63 Kingcobra confusion but so interesting 100_1011

But, I did not have the much better rendered Cox P-39. Cured that today.

Bell P-39 Airacobra and P-63 Kingcobra confusion but so interesting Cox_p-11

They do fly, successful take off and a pretty landing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjQ4aTQ2L7c

Another "wall of shame" inductee.

Kim Fri Jan 07, 2022 11:33 am

rsv1cox wrote:I love these things, and could go deep into their history but that would take pages. Think wiki if you want a deep dive.

The current issue of Air classics got me going again. Pictures from that wonderful magazine.

P-39/P-63 two very different airplanes that looked very similiar. P-39 rounded tail/rudder, much smaller, 3 bladed prop. P-63 much larger, four blade prop, clipped tail/rudder.

I had ambitions of building a mid engine one using a BD-5 engine /drive but gave it away.

I have half a dozen Wen Mac models marketed as both a P-39 and P-63 but they were the same - modeled on the P-63

Yeah, Air Classsics wreaks constant havoc on my ability to focus on projects...like a dog that doesn't know which car to chase.

Having been "imprinted" at an early age by Wen Mac's Ara/King Cobra, these issues hit me hard. I've started treating most of my printed magazine like newspapers---a read, then out---but the Cobra Issues will stay parked 'till I at least get them scanned into a hard drive.

rsv1cox Fri Jan 14, 2022 12:53 pm

Me - But, I did not have the much better rendered Cox P-39. Cured that today

I don't know now that I have it in hand.

Wen Mac's version despite the elongated nose moment is the better model for many reasons. For one thing it's larger and more robust and was offered in many different variations. It had options that would eject a pilot with parachute and fire spring loaded rockets. Also, it's screwed together not held together by rubber bands.

Wen marketed it as a P-39, a P-63 and and a RAF Day Fighter with the 39 and 63 in different paint schemes.

Bell P-39 Airacobra and P-63 Kingcobra confusion but so interesting 100_1118

I have more of them than I should, and I keep the worst boxed away up in the loft.

Bell P-39 Airacobra and P-63 Kingcobra confusion but so interesting 100_1014

Bell P-39 Airacobra and P-63 Kingcobra confusion but so interesting 100_1015

Size comparison. I like the Wen's but the Cox Airacobra does have something to offer. But not much compares with the Cox Stuka which by it's self is quite marvelous.

Bell P-39 Airacobra and P-63 Kingcobra confusion but so interesting 100_1119

GallopingGhostler Fri Sep 22, 2023 11:28 am

Nice, interesting how Wen Mac popularized an underdog WW2 fighter. Soviet Union made them work, but I gather they were not as heavily armored and made a good ground attack aircraft.

Advantage over others for better ground handling is the trike gear. Be interesting to see it modeled as a balsa C/L.

rsv1cox Fri Sep 22, 2023 12:07 pm

Air Classics continues to include these in almost every issue.

Bell P-39 Airacobra and P-63 Kingcobra confusion but so interesting P1016253

Also the Constellations, a favorite!

Bell P-39 Airacobra and P-63 Kingcobra confusion but so interesting P1016254

And the Owner/Publisher/Editor's - Cost of War is a continuing feature.

Bell P-39 Airacobra and P-63 Kingcobra confusion but so interesting P1016255

It takes me about a month to read it all. Thankfully by that time a new issue is in the mailbox.

roddie Fri Sep 22, 2023 12:48 pm

GallopingGhostler wrote: Be interesting to see it modeled as a balsa C/L.

Richard Kennedy (RKFlyer) designed his own little mid-engined P39 Airacobra for the 1st CEF "Reed Speed" contest of 2013/2014. I would love to try making something similar.

Bell P-39 Airacobra and P-63 Kingcobra confusion but so interesting 0051012

Bell P-39 Airacobra and P-63 Kingcobra confusion but so interesting Dscf0014

Bell P-39 Airacobra and P-63 Kingcobra confusion but so interesting Dscf0015

Bell P-39 Airacobra and P-63 Kingcobra confusion but so interesting Dscf0016

akjgardner Fri Sep 22, 2023 3:50 pm

That’s weird , just this morning before I even saw this , I was thinking about doing something like that

rsv1cox Fri Sep 22, 2023 4:55 pm

akjgardner wrote:That’s weird , just this morning before I even saw this , I was thinking about doing something like that

I'll expect to see something by the morning Joe. Smile

But a me-too ism. I would like to see what's inside that brass tube.

rsv1cox Fri Sep 22, 2023 5:02 pm

akjgardner wrote:That’s weird , just this morning before I even saw this , I was thinking about doing something like that

My poor man's version.

Bell P-39 Airacobra and P-63 Kingcobra confusion but so interesting P1016256

Perhaps my favorite mini build.

akjgardner Sat Sep 23, 2023 4:55 am

rsv1cox wrote:
akjgardner wrote:That’s weird , just this morning before I even saw this , I was thinking about doing something like that

I'll expect to see something by the morning Joe.

But a me-too ism. I would like to see what's inside that brass tube.

Maybe a Dornier 335 push pull ?

roddie Sat Sep 23, 2023 10:02 am

akjgardner wrote:
rsv1cox wrote:
akjgardner wrote:That’s weird , just this morning before I even saw this , I was thinking about doing something like that

I'll expect to see something by the morning Joe.

But a me-too ism. I would like to see what's inside that brass tube.
Maybe a Dornier 335 push pull ?

There was one more photo of Richard's P39 that I didn't post above.. because it shows two different shafts. One of them incorporates a U-Joint that Richard didn't end up using.. but it does show a "die" which I assume is a 5-40 that he may have used to thread the two ends of a 1/8" diameter music-wire shaft. I think that is "what's inside that brass tube."

Bell P-39 Airacobra and P-63 Kingcobra confusion but so interesting 0041011

Hey Joe, Here's some images that I had saved of the Dornier Do335. A scale model could be built using a pair of Cox .049 reed-valve engines using a prop-drive system like Richard's for the rear engine. Maybe use a ratchet/cam-style starter-spring to help in starting the rear engine.

Bell P-39 Airacobra and P-63 Kingcobra confusion but so interesting Dornie10

Bell P-39 Airacobra and P-63 Kingcobra confusion but so interesting Dornie11

akjgardner Sat Sep 23, 2023 11:34 am

Thanks Roddie, I’m definitely putting that on my todo list. I’ve always liked the looks of that airplane. I’m thinking maybe a 28” wingspan

rsv1cox Sat Sep 23, 2023 12:13 pm

akjgardner wrote:Thanks Roddie, I’m definitely putting that on my todo list. I’ve always liked the looks of that airplane. I’m thinking maybe a 28” wingspan

Well, why not!

Made an offer.......that I'm sure he will take. At least three more here:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/204224575418?hash=item2f8cbbb7ba:g:fyUAAOSwhNZicovd&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA4BWcLVJvrj9%2BPqbUpvFUm%2FcEN28qjgiZyJE%2FwMNHsrgalVwfzfxtxEzi2A1BcYFTKrd1GKGKObcQOMwTZQxRAFJJGH7Hih7sZ7T3H%2FBoVcISX0IS3rMH6TFJOytXo%2BZRhBweuGOW8PdgOtt%2FrPwk5Y1qwPg1BAmTyiQ2NuT9Z%2BkzBNm7hE4QXZ30tLbUbhSKrG3FpT2VG4N4%2FO%2B%2FXmytb4DV6JJ9WeABQqNzQyKk23qIFfQgFVegDK39QxqrR92LVyzVQZTamJbrWLUP9ywAYg8KegPqfmE88rd0iYxLODIu%7Ctkp%3ABFBMvKyOsNhi&autorefresh=true

If true- sounds good:

*Hand Selected Balsa *Color Peel and Stick Decals *9 inch Plastic Propeller *Full Size Plan *F.A.I. Tan II Rubber *Step by Step Instructions *Vacuum Molded Parts *Light Weight Colored Tissue

Ken Cook Sat Sep 23, 2023 12:50 pm

The last time I was at the Brodak Fly In , a fellow by the name of John Rist I believe made a profile 1/2A version of this plane using two Cox engines. It was just a piece of art. He did such a nice job machining the shafts and bearing perches for this plane. I saw the plane posted a few times on Stunthangar and never saw it again. Even if it didn't work, it was just inspiring.

rsv1cox Sat Sep 23, 2023 2:16 pm

Dumas kit. I don't think I have ever built one. If I do and that's a big if......I would plank it, a couple of .020 Pee Wees and control line. 30" span it would float. Reinforce it and a couple of .049's might offer some fun.

akjgardner Sat Sep 23, 2023 5:27 pm

rsv1cox wrote:Dumas kit. I don't think I have ever built one. If I do and that's a big if......I would plank it, a couple of .020 Pee Wees and control line. 30" span it would float. Reinforce it and a couple of .049's might offer some fun.

I just ordered one Bob, I definitely have a problem. I can’t not buy this stuff !!!! Lol

rsv1cox Sat Sep 23, 2023 6:15 pm

akjgardner wrote:
rsv1cox wrote:Dumas kit. I don't think I have ever built one. If I do and that's a big if......I would plank it, a couple of .020 Pee Wees and control line. 30" span it would float. Reinforce it and a couple of .049's might offer some fun.
I just ordered one Bob, I definitely have a problem. I can’t not buy this stuff !!!! Lol

Joe, we share the problem to our joy. Smile

So glad that you did, I'm reasonably sure that you will build your's. I may have to corner my son for mine. But you never know, it's going to be a long winter here in the hills of WV.

Bob

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Bell P-39 Airacobra and P-63 Kingcobra confusion but so interesting

Bell P-39 Airacobra and P-63 Kingcobra confusion but so interesting

Re: Bell P-39 Airacobra and P-63 Kingcobra confusion but so interesting

Re: Bell P-39 Airacobra and P-63 Kingcobra confusion but so interesting

Re: Bell P-39 Airacobra and P-63 Kingcobra confusion but so interesting

Re: Bell P-39 Airacobra and P-63 Kingcobra confusion but so interesting

Re: Bell P-39 Airacobra and P-63 Kingcobra confusion but so interesting

Re: Bell P-39 Airacobra and P-63 Kingcobra confusion but so interesting

Re: Bell P-39 Airacobra and P-63 Kingcobra confusion but so interesting

Re: Bell P-39 Airacobra and P-63 Kingcobra confusion but so interesting

Re: Bell P-39 Airacobra and P-63 Kingcobra confusion but so interesting

Re: Bell P-39 Airacobra and P-63 Kingcobra confusion but so interesting

Re: Bell P-39 Airacobra and P-63 Kingcobra confusion but so interesting

Re: Bell P-39 Airacobra and P-63 Kingcobra confusion but so interesting

Re: Bell P-39 Airacobra and P-63 Kingcobra confusion but so interesting

Re: Bell P-39 Airacobra and P-63 Kingcobra confusion but so interesting

Re: Bell P-39 Airacobra and P-63 Kingcobra confusion but so interesting

Re: Bell P-39 Airacobra and P-63 Kingcobra confusion but so interesting

Re: Bell P-39 Airacobra and P-63 Kingcobra confusion but so interesting