JRgraham

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This little gem got my attention a short while back. Ialmost didnt take it, but something kept me looking back at it!
Iwas kind of amazed to find very little talk to speak of on the RC community boards, so Ifigured Iwould post some images.

I am not real sure what Iam going to do with this thing yet.. Ihave a lot of other projects in the works as it is. But I am curious if theres anyone out there that has built one of these.. maybe some feedback on how they fly?

I would build this with full funtionality, with flaps, retracts... Iwas lucky enough to get the scale air retract for the nose.

Anyways, here she is;

Ram-bro

My Feedback: (101)

do a scheme outside the box, do a Russian version tank buster

N1EDM

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I like that Russian Tank Buster idea... or a Cleveland or Reno racer??

The Russians did amazing things with that P-39.

Bob

ronwc

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I have three scale books that I'm selling on the P-39 - here are pics - email me if you are interested -

matadco

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When I got into RCs back in the late '70 in Denver, several guys had this model and as far as I could tell they flew great. No one had it scaled out, just a fun warbird to fly. Should you decide to get rid of it, let me know.

JRgraham

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If Ido build it, Ithink Iagree with having it done in a russian scheme. The majority of warbirds Isee are done in a traditional american scheme, even those that may have been from other country fleet's. I have never built anything 'to scale' and never really been into warbirds enough to build them. In fact, Ihave a Hanger-9 red tail mustang I got for my step-son, but he had a falling out so to speak, with RC interest.. so Iflew the crap out of it. For a first experience with a mustang, even though it was not 'to scale' I have to say it flew terrific!

Well, still mixed thoughts on building this thing. Idont have any concerns about building it, Ihave built many, many planes from kit.. in fact Ihave only ever built from a balsa kit, or short kit, or fiberglass/foam short kits.. Iam only concerned with the wonder of how much Iwould enjoy the plane in the end, simply because Iam and always have been a pattern compitition flyer, that is now stepping into IMAC compitition.

Forum is still open to anyone with some feedback on this plane!Maybe theres someone out there that has something to say that will get me more interested in building it.. or maybe theres someone out there that has been wanting something like this and cant find one?

Ram-bro

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here

Ram-bro

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just a few pics

DavidAgar

My Feedback: (108)

Flying a P-39 in pattern or IMAC would not do it justice if the plane was able to fly the patterns needed in either of them. I do not think that it would do well in either of those events and it needs to be flown as a scale plane. I built and flew one of the original Top Flite's P-39, which is the lead in to the Gold Edition kit's, and it was a great scale flyer, but there is no doubt in my mind that IMAC is out of the question as well as some of the pattern manuvers. In my opioion, your kit needs to be built as a scale plane and flown as a scale plane. Good Luck, Dave

Gray Beard

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He is a pattern pilot wanting to know about flying a scale plane, not in pattern Comp. just flying a warbird.
Please do this!!!!!!!! Make a template of every part of this kit!!! Save the plans and instructions!! This way you can share with others like myself that would like to have this plane. I go to kinko's and get copies of the parts templates, plans and instruction and for people when I have something someone wants. I do charge for the price of the copies and shipping but it's how we keep these old kits still flying. I would love a set of templates and plans for this one myself.
I was taught to fly by a pattern pilot and fly the old school pattern planes like the Kaos, Daddy Rabbit and Dirty Birdy plus IMAC planes.
Once in a while I enjoy flying scale planes. The 60 size warbirds tend to have a higher wing loading then pattern and IMAC planes so they are a bit different to fly. The 39 is one I have never flown.
If you do decide to get some copies of the templates and plans made please send me a PM. That is one of the planes I would like to build right now for myself.

JRgraham

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Gray Beard is correct, that Iwas only meaning Pattern style flying is all Ihave ever done, besides the few sport planes in between.. and started to get into IMAC with a QQYak 54 recently. Ilove war birds, but Ihave always had the attitude that they were a lot more enjoyable to look at, than fly!

Yeah, Iwas really just interested in information on the plane, since Itried finding some, and there is very very little out there. No build threads, and very little mentioning on how they flew, what issues there were with them, etc. Iam assuming they were just not very popular, and ended up discontinuing them.

Well, Ihave only looked over the kit so far, plans are in great shape, and the wood seems fine still. If Iam reading it right, the date is 1991. The retract was also bought around the same time, yet still new in the box. There was a mouse Iguess that chewed into the corner of the box, and nibbled on the canopy slightly, but Iam pretty sure its on a corner area that gets cut out anyways.. or Ihope. Otherwise, its in terrific shape.

And, Iguess more than anything, Iwas anxious to see what kind of response Iwould get from posting about it..What Iend up doing with it is yet to be determined.. It seems that they are pretty rare, however Idid see a couple of the standard 'red box' TFkits that were being offered, Idont think they even sold. So interest seems very slim. Honestly, Itend to think it is a little small for my taste these days.. something in an 80 inch or so would be a lot more appealing to me..

For the moment, Iwill leave it in tact. There are some good copy places in the area, Iwill see what the cost is for that. As far as templates (Gray Beard), Ihadnt really thought of that, but if Ido, it might help to know what specifics are needed.. obviously wing ribs, and bulkheads.. spars, stringers, and other stick woods Iam assuming are not needed. TFdoes have an index listing for the kit still, in the archives Ifound the other day.

Gray Beard

My Feedback: (-1)

Yep, due to kits being discontinued and now the huge jump in price kits of any type are fast becoming a thing of the past. When I just a kit I just trace the parts onto bond or butcher paper. I try to lay out the templates on the paper to make having them copied as easy and cheap as I could make them.
I am an IMAC pattern plane builder myself but as I'm getting older I'm starting to build planes that I never gave a lot of thought to. Float planes and old timers. I have even dabbled into electrics a bit but still building performance planes like the Extra.
I'm just starting to relax a bit and an old school warbird sounds like a nice build. I have a few .91 OS four strokes on hand so a 60 size plane is fine with me.
Gene

JRgraham

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What Iwould like is something similar in a 50cc or larger size. Be it a mustang, Zero or something of the like. Ilike the idea of this P-39 simply because there are not 100 of them in any 100 mile direction from me....

Gray Beard

My Feedback: (-1)

I'm more then willing to have the plans and templates blown up on this kit for you as a trade. I'm also willing to make templates and have the plans and instructions of my Ultra Sport 1000 done for you as a trade. It's 80 inches.
The plans and templates I have on hand for pattern planes are in the 60 size, I think all I have is Daddy Rabbit and Dirty Birdy. I have plans for a 60 P-51 with templates already but it is just MAN plans for a small scale plane.
I also have the plans for the 92 inch Hots if you like BIG fun fly planes.
Let me know.

tailskid

My Feedback: (34)

I built and flew this kit and could not believe how stable it was! I tried to get it to stall, would just mush ahead. Flew in high winds - some flaps and it would hardly roll on touchdown! GREAT flying bird IMHO.

Grey1005

My Feedback: (4)

Im glad to see this thread started. I just picked up an unopened kit from a co-workers father in law for 70 bucks! I plan to get on it shortly, as Im in the middle of a Sig Kobra build that he let me have for $35 as well. There are a few good YouTube vids of ahe Airacobra. One guy had converted to electric, which I thought was nuts until I heard it. With the 3 blade ripping, sounded just like the real thing. Ill be looking forward to any updates you provide.

Mike

JRgraham

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Mike, Iwas contemplating an electric in this if Ibuilt it as well. The nose is quite slender, and it would seem a shame to hack it up and have a hunk of metal hangin out the side, with the way electrics are today.. and Iagree, Ihave heard some bigger electrics sound as good as some combustion motors, for sure.. seems around a .60 size is where the electrics start getting a good prop noise, too.

Was the kit you bought the gold edition, or the red box? The red box was the standard kit, with red around the outer box.

Airacobra

You will love this plane, I love mine, it flys with an old Saito 80 and I think it is a perfect match. Most will go with a larger engine, but you can use what you want, the plane performs flawlessly!!

tailskid

My Feedback: (34)

Nice flying shots there Aircobra!

Airacobra

Thanks Tailskid. This was my first real attempt with a warbird with retracts. The Gold Edition kit by Top Flight really made things very easy and there frankly was no surprises building it. I would highly recommend this kit to anybody wanting to get into a warbird. Great fun!!!

Mustang Fever

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There is a lot of fascinating info online regarding the Airacobra's service with the Soviet air force during WWII. Much of it was released fairly recently after the collapse of the Soviet Union. In comparison to what we have today, not much was known during WWII or recently because of the Stalin's paranoia.

The P-39 was a deadly air to air fighter in the hands of Russian pilots. At the low to medium altitudes where most combat took place, the "Little Cobra" could out turn a Spitfire, and had no problems with the Bf-109. The statistics aren't real clear, but it appears that the P-39 probably shot down more enemy fighters during the war than any other single allied aircraft. The second top scoring Soviet ace had most of his victories (57) in a P-39.

The P-39 as a "tankbuster" is mostly myth. The U.S.A. refused to supply the Soviet Union with the armor piercing ammo for the Oldsmobile cannon, and in any event, the cannon's muzzle velocity was too low for effective use as an anti armor weapon. The 39 excelled at medium altitude air to air combat, and was a formidable close air support platform for Soviet troops.

The "Kobrushka" was much loved by Russian pilots because of it's well armored cockpit, heavy firepower, serviceable radio, and the fact that the fuel tanks were in the wings instead of the fuse, which meant a crash landing wasn't followed by death in a fire.

JRgraham

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Iwas talking with a fellow club member the other day about the Aircobra, and he had a couple little tidbits to share on why the P-39 didnt last long with the United States. Unfortunately the Aircobra was not fitted with self sealing fuel tanks. The self sealers were made up of a material that could reseal a puncture created by a bullet. They also did not have a very good rate of climb, and a low service ceiling.

Because of these two issues, and several other aircraft that were being developed, it was dumped.

JRgraham

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Bob,Ilike your signiture. Ihad the pleasure of flying RCplanes with Chuck Yeager's son, Mike years ago here in Eugene OR. Mike was a great guy, just a red blooded American through and through. Unfortunatly, Mike passed away about 6-8 months ago. Ihad quit flying about 15 years ago for awhile, and within that time there was some falling out with some club members, and he created his own airfield on his land. Idont know how he died, but from what Iheard, it was unexpected.

Some of us got a chance to meet Chuck Yeager when he came to town to visit Mike back in the late 90's. God Bless them.

JRgraham

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Thought id share this. My Dad on the left, discussing how his Dash-5 is reacting in the air.. Mike Yeager listens to maybe offer some assistance.
Mike is, you guessed it, on the left with the Camo hat.

Bob Yeager

My Feedback: (5)

Great photo, thanks for sharing. Old school all the way with those Custom Woodcraft Flight Boxes and great looking pattern ships. Not an electric, or a Yak anywhere in sight!