COBI Building Set HC WW2 Bell P-39D Airacobra (COBI-5746)

Construction set of the American fighter aircraft with an unusual design, Bell P-39D Airacobra, in the colors of the 35th Fighter Group USAF. The assembled model has a rotating propeller, adjustable control surfaces, and a removable cockpit cover for comfortable seating of the pilot figure from the 8th squadron nicknamed the Black Panthers. The model can stand on its own landing gear or be safely placed on the included stand.

Number of figures: 1 pc
Scale: 1:32
Dimensions after assembly: 31.5 x 28 x 10.5 cm
Box dimensions (packaging): 34 x 24 x 6 cm
Number of bricks: 361 pcs
Package weight: 545 g
Recommended age: 7+
Bricks can be combined with another well-known brand: Yes
Contains glowing bricks: No
Material: Plastic
Collection: World War II

Interesting facts:
» Great aircraft or flop? Exactly into these two camps were their pilots divided. When designer Robert J. Woods completed the plans for Bell's first fighter, XP-39, the unusual design of the machine already had its supporters and detractors.
» The engine was mounted quite unconventionally behind the pilot's seat, and a long shaft was used to transmit the engine's power. This solution led to good aircraft balance and better maneuverability.
» The necessary armament could thus be installed in the empty front part.
» The landing gear was also non-standard, with a third landing gear wheel on the bow instead of the usual rear wheel or tail skid. Landing with such a machine required much more experience.
» The first test flight took place on April 6, 1938, at Niagara Falls airport. Tests showed good maneuverability, high speed, but also problems with the GE compressor.
» The first series of aircraft were deployed in the Pacific, but compared to Japanese Zeros, they were not very successful. Some sources even state that the P-39 was completely unusable at altitudes above 5,000 m.
» The situation was completely different on the Eastern Front. Allies supplied the Soviet Union with almost 5,000 aircraft, and Russian pilots couldn't praise them enough. The difference was that on the Eastern Front, the aircraft were mainly used to support ground troops, and air battles often took place at lower altitudes, where the Airacobra was very good.
» Another reason was something that cannot be described in any technical tables. The aircraft matched the character of Russian pilots. While machines like the P-51A Mustang or Hurricane were too sophisticated for Russian pilots and conditions, the P-39 was a simple workhorse in comparison.
» Approximately 9,584 units were produced in several versions.

Technical parameters of the original
Dimensions: wingspan 10.36 m, length 9.2 m, height 3.61 m
Empty aircraft weight: 2,480 kg
Takeoff weight: 3 530 kg
Power unit: twelve-cylinder V-engine Allison V1710-35 with a power of 845 kW
Maximum speed: 592 km/h
Maximum flight altitude: 9,785 m
Range: 2,360 km (with additional tank)
Climb rate: 19 m/s
Armament: 1x Oldsmobile M4 cannon caliber 37 mm (30 rounds) + 4x Browning machine gun caliber 7.62 mm (4,000 rounds) + 200 kg bomb or additional tank