P-39Q Airacobra Lt. Col. William Shomo, 71st TRS, 82nd TRG, 1944 (1:72)

The Q version of the P-39 was the one most produced with 4,905 being built. Russia received the bulk of the “Q”s where it was used mostly for low altitude air to air and ground attacks. The fact that the “Q” was equipped with a .50 caliber gun pod under each wing was exactly what they needed. In the Pacific the US military realized the P-39 was best used in ground attacks like the Russians so the Airacobra pilots became quite proficient at strafing Japanese airfields and supply bases.

William A. Shomo was sent to the Pacific Theater in June 1944 with the 82nd Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron and was assigned a P-39 he called Snooks and then Snooks II. Snooks was the pet nickname he had for his wife. Shomo became an ace while flying a P-51 and was the recipient of Distinguished Flying Cross and five Air Medals as well as the Congressional Medal of Honor. He received these awards for shooting down 7 Japanese aircraft in one mission. Shomo went on to fight in Korea and became a jet pilot.

P-39Q Airacobra Specifications

Manufacturer: Bell Aircraft.

Number built: 4,905

Armament: 1 X 37-mm cannon, 4 X .50 caliber machine guns

Performance
Powerplant: Allison V-1710-85 1,200 hp
Maximum speed: 385 mph @ 15,000 feet
Rate of climb: 4.5 minutes to 15,000 feet
Ceiling: 35,000 feet
Maximum range: 1,100 miles
Combat range: 650 miles

Dimensions
Wingspan: 34 feet
Length: 30 feet 2 inches
Height: 12 feet 5 inches

Weights
Empty weight: 5,645 pounds
Gross weight: 7,700 pounds
Maximum take-off weight: 8,350 pounds

Fuel
Maximum internal fuel load: 120 US gallons
Maximum external fuel load: 175 US gallons
True 1/72 scale.

Professionally painted.
Great attention to detail.
All markings are Tampoed (pad applied).
Option to display the model on a stand that is provided.
Model can be shown with the landing gear in the down or up positions.
Optional armament provided.
Canopy can be displayed open or closed.
Pilot figure included.
Extremely heavy metal with a minimum of plastic.
Highly collectable.