Model Airplane News Cover for February, 1966
Multi-Channel Radio Control Bell P-39 "Airacobra" Click to Enlarge

Here is what the blurb about the cover has to say:

"... Our cover [photo is of] of Tony Bonetti and his P-39 pages 26-28 .. [The photo] is by Ron Scalera... [who is] ne of the freshest new talents to enter our field in many years. His scale picture story on Page 17 represents some of the finest model photography to be presented in these pages. A professional photographer and quite young, we can see a good future in model aviation for MAN's latest addition to the staff ..."

About the Model

Mr. Bonetti designed this model to combine the "good looks of a scale ship with one that is fun to fly." The plane is intended for Class III unlimited multi-channel radio control. Briefly, this means that the aircraft may have as many elements under control as he wants or can support. In order to perform aerobatics (and to fly inverted) wings had to be symmetical and broad. Mr. Bonetti's plane incorporates thes, so the model bears a "resemblance" to the Bell P-39 "Airacobra" but it is not a true scale model. It did have anumber of interesting features such as a servo-actuated brake on the nosewheel; rudder, elevator and throttle were also controlled. You may read more about Mr. Bonetti's model by clicking to enlarge the photos below.

     

Tony Bonetti's Model P-39
Click to Enlarge

Ron Scalera's Photographs of Scale Models

Mr. Scalera's debut as a MAN staff photographer was indeed spectacular. Below, you will find his article based on photos of the scale "beauty contest" at the Johnsville, Pennsylvania AAA competition.

     

Ron Scalera's Debut Photo Shoot
Click to Enlarge

About the Full Size Airplane

  

Bell P-39 "Airacobra"
Model Airplane News Cover Art for July, 1939 and February, 1960
by Jo Kotula
Click to Enlarge

The Bell P-39 Airacobra was one of the principal American fighter aircraft in service at the start of World War II. Although its mid-engine placement was innovative, the P-39 design was handicapped by the lack of an efficient turbo-supercharger, limiting it to low-altitude work. The "Airacobra" has much of the same design concept as the Koolhaven F.K. 55

The P-39 was used with great success by the Soviet Air Force, who scored the highest number of individual kills attributed to any U.S. fighter type. Other important users were the Free French and co-belligerent Italian air forces. Together with the derivative P-63 Kingcobra, these aircraft would be the most successful mass-produced, fixed-wing aircraft manufactured by Bell.

     

The Bell P-39 Airacobra
Design Patent D-122,564
Click to Enlarge

Because the pilot was riding above the shaft he was placed higher in the fuselage than most contemporary fighters, which, in turn, allowed Bell to use a raised cockpit enclosure, giving the pilot a good field of view. The plan had unusual sideways opening "car doors" (actually manufactured by the Hudson Company) with wind-down windows. While this sounds nice, it was very had to get into the plane (or to get out of it...) while wearing a parachute.

Here is a video of the P-39 in action:

Click here for more information about the Airacobra.

Cleveland made three types of kits for the P-39, including a Master Kit, one in the "T" series and one in the "IT" series. Here is the Master Kit. (This is the most desirable of the three. Do not pay "big bucks" for the "T" or "IT" version)

  

Cleveland Model of the The Bell P-39 Airacobra
Look for the Master Kit!
Click to Enlarge

You can buy the plans and patterns that will enable you to make this model right now. Click Here to go to the exact location on the Cleveland Website to get them.

  

Bell P-39 Airacobra on the Cleveland Site

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