thierry laurent Posted October 28, 2008 Share Posted October 28, 2008 Hello Gents, I just received the very nice Zotz decals for the Airacobra. I was particularly interested in the terrific "Air a Cutie" nose art. Unfortunately, some research activities brang a lot of conflicting info about this plane. I believe that only one plane was named "Air a Cutie". Nose art modification was quite common but I seriously doubt such a large and complicated nose art was painted on two different planes (even in case of plane change by a pilot). Accordingly, I think that the plane was modified along her life. My research seems to demonstrate that the plane 41-28267 had at least two markings periods for the 1942-1943 timeframe: - first period: port side nose art with the right arm up, stars without bar, OD tail with white fin top, no external MLG doors and 12 exhausts stacks - second period: port side nose art modified (right arm down), stars with bars, full white tail & wing front edge and 6 exhausts stacks (MLG doors?) Unfortunately, I've only found one good wartime picture of "Air a cutie" (the one in the "in action" book). Does anybody know other pictures of this plane? I guess they should exist as Zotz produces decals for the 2nd period whereas the aforementioned picture corresponds to the 1st one. If my memory's right someone mentioned a 8th FG group book many moons ago? Conflicting info emerge regarding the plane type: P-39D or P-400 (with a 20mm nose gun)? Re-engined or not? This plane was not camo painted as were normally the P-400s used in New Guinea (at least in 1942). However, the picture shows the 12 exhausts stacks that were typical of P-400s. Moreover, I also think that the plane had the 20mm gun and the small hub NLG wheel. Hence, is it a P-400 that has been overhauled and re-equiped with a P-39D type engine? This is possible and would explain the late six exhausts stacks but in this case why was the plane initially re-painted in plain OD? Or is it a plain OD P-39D that has been re-equiped with a P-400 engine? This is possible but as Zotz only shows six exhausts on this plane, this is neither logical or would imply it has been again re-engined later but with a six exhausts stacks P-39D engine (if I did not inverted the two time periods...)! Moreover, this would mean that either I misidentify the gun muzzle type or that the 37mm gun has been replaced as well! The 8th FG surely demonstrated that necessity is the mother of invention as they even rebuilt planes from wrecks. This may explain the seemingly odd features combination. Does anybody have additional information regarding this intriguing plane? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbrundt Posted October 28, 2008 Share Posted October 28, 2008 Will this help? http://www.hyperscale.com/features/2001/p39rl_1.htm Jeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
didiumus Posted October 28, 2008 Share Posted October 28, 2008 Jeff, Great Link. Thierry, I think there were more than one Air-A-Cuties. I would recommend a shout out to Steven Eisenmann over on Hyperscale on the "Plane Talking" forum - he is a regular there, and, if I am not mistaken - he helped do the research on the decal sheet you are holding in your hands... HTH Scott Gentry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thierry laurent Posted October 29, 2008 Author Share Posted October 29, 2008 Thanks guys! I checked on Hyperscale and Steve already replied to a similar question. Seemingly the mystery is not going to be dissipated easily... Nonetheless, I got some interesting info: Even if they were exceptions, there were P-400s with what appear to be single tone paint jobs but all P-400's appear to have a recognition flare tube on the starboard gun access panel. "Air-a-cutie" doesn't have this vent that does not seem to be present on other P-39 variants. This seems to indicate that the P-400 hypothesis is probably wrong. Moreover, some P-39D (the P-39D-1s) had the 12 vent exhausts with the 20mm M1 gun and were used in squadrons flying the P-400s. Last but not least, this complies with the serial as Bell P-39D-1-BE used the 41-28257-28406 range. Such planes used .30 wing MGs rather than .303s. Consequently, I think that the P-39D choice begins to make more sense. According to this hypothesis, "Air a Cutie" would simply be a plain OD P-39D variant similar to the P-400 one (12 exhaust stacks & 20mm nose gun) that has been re-engined with a 6 exhaust stacks Allison engine when/before/after it was repainted. I'm not sure this is the final word but at least this is plausible! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fastzx Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 I have read that most P-39 pilots did not like the 37mm gun and when they could they had it replaced in the field with the p-400's 20mm weapon. besides having more ammo, the 20mm was less prone to jamming after only 1 or 2 rounds. Jon Payne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AirACutter Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 New publication about Air A Cutie coming soon!!! It will answer following questions: - correct version? - number of aircrafts named Air A Cutie? - comouflage and marking variants? Also will contain: - 4 available photographs with comments, - 3 camouflage schemes for all marking versions, - modeller´s section with decal reviews in 1/72 and 1/48 scale. Order it now for free in pdf-format here: airacut@gmail.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eli Raphael Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 some pics used on my decal: Tnarg 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmayhew Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 lovely pics Eli thanks for sharing N Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thierry laurent Posted August 24, 2009 Author Share Posted August 24, 2009 Thanks a lot! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
t.valdez Posted August 25, 2009 Share Posted August 25, 2009 I can't recall the publication but i seem to remember reading about the early war conflict in the SE Pacific where the mechanics in Port Moresby and in Australia would try and assemble the incoming and crated aircraft with whatever managed to make it through from the States, sometimes without instruction manuals, and to repair and keep the planes flying, mixed and matched parts from various editions of the Airacobra. I seem to recall one Frankenstrin build where the plane had a P-400 right wing, P-39 left wing, different engine, cannon, etc. I wouldn't rule out anything for early war aircraft and trying to identify the various marks based on a single visual clue. Add in battle damage and subsequent repairs, and it can be anyones guess as to what is what. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docdodj01 Posted June 21, 2019 Share Posted June 21, 2019 On 8/20/2009 at 10:24 PM, Eli Raphael said: some pics used on my decal: I’m sorry if this topic had been discussed 10 years ago, but am I correct in assuming that the aircraft doesn’t have main landing gear covers? Out2gtcha 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thierry laurent Posted June 22, 2019 Author Share Posted June 22, 2019 Yes, that is what I wrote in the initial post of that thread... docdodj01 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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