Skuzzy, can you clarify the skinning rules for the 39s?

[Guppy35]

If we only have the D and Q, can the skinners do other versions on them, in particular the D model since the F was a D with a different prop etc?

The variations in skin possibilities increases or decreases dependent on what you guys will allow.  There are desert Camo N models, Coral colored F models.

And can the P400 be skinned onto the D model with 20mm?  All those Guadalcanal birds were 400s with the shark mouths,  Air-A-Quitie was more then likely a 400, many of the early PTO birds were 400s as well.

Figured it couldn't hurt to ask

[Greebo]

While we are on the subject, would an La-5F or an Sd Kfz 251 Ausf D be acceptable substitutions?

The La-5 has a completely different rear fuselage shape so I'd guess would not be acceptable, but the La-5F only has a slightly different airscoop to the La-5FN.

The 251 Ausfs A-C were very similar in shape but the D was a bit different. Of course most of the best camo schemes are for Ausf Ds.

[oboe]

Given the 20mm loadout option on the 39D, HTC must intend the 39D to represent the P-400 as well - its the only interpretation I can think of.   

I'm also wondering about the '39L and N skins I've run across...the wings seem to have the 4 30s in them so I assume skinning these onto the D would make the most sense, if allowed.

My guess and hope is that it will be permitted, in the same way the 38E, F, and H skins are skinned onto 38G.

[Squire]

The P-39D-1 also had the 20mm. *Not just the P-400*.

Also, some units swapped out the 37mm in the P-39D for the 20mm in the SW Pacific.

Its not as simple as saying "20mm armed P-39 = P-400". Thats not accurate.

For info.

[Tilt]

While we are on the subject, would an La-5F or an Sd Kfz 251 Ausf D be acceptable substitutions?

The La-5 has a completely different rear fuselage shape so I'd guess would not be acceptable, but the La-5F only has a slightly different airscoop to the La-5FN.

Would we skin a Yak9 as a Yak 3??

[Guppy35]

The P-39D-1 also had the 20mm. *Not just the P-400*.

Also, some units swapped out the 37mm in the P-39D for the 20mm in the SW Pacific.

Its not as simple as saying "20mm armed P-39 = P-400". Thats not accurate.

For info.

This of course leading to the original question

If the 400 can't be skinned, you eliminate the Guadalcanal 67th FS birds,

 and many of the shark mouth birds in the early PTO time frame.

There is some question as to whether "Air-A-Cutie was a 400 and that's probably the most over the top fighter nose art of the war.
Placement of the serial is where the 400s were stenciled.  other white tails have the serial block on the tail. I've seen it identified as anything from a 400 to a D to a Q.  Based on the serial placement I'd go with 400.  Hate to not see this one done

[chase4]

But, But, we want shark mouths   

[oboe]

It does get confusing - all the designations and changes.    I thought the P-400 was the export version of the D-1, but apparently the P-400 preceded the P-39D-1, Bell's designations being Model 14 and Model 14A, respectively.

And there appears to be an almost 200 hp increase in engine power between the D-1 and D-2, if my source is correct.

Just curious, do we all agree the best answer for skinners is that all pre-Q marks, including the P-400, be allowed on the P-39D?   And the Q is just the Q?

Does anybody know which D we have?

[Krusty]

Its not as simple as saying "20mm armed P-39 = P-400". Thats not accurate.

Yep, it IS that simple!

Note that Citabria/Fester (the guy working with HTC to skin these planes) made "Airacutie" -- a P-400 paint scheme -- but it was too risque for the default skin. Expect it as a secondary skin option in the next skin pack release.


There was little to no difference between P-400s and P-39Ds with 20mm. Aside from the nose gun itself, there's little difference between them and the 37mm armed P-39Ds. Seeing as the HTC skin team member made a -400 skin for it, I say that answers the question. 


IMO, It's like skinning a 109G6 skin that historically had a 30mm on our 20mm-only 109G-6 in-game. The rest of it is practically identical.

[Squire]

Im simply pointing out that a 20mm armed P-39 is not "by definition" a P-400, which many posters seem to insinuate or declare directly, in threads here, and elsewhere.

...HTCs policy on skinning aside.

Im not "for" or "against" im just clarifying for info.

[Guppy35]

Im simply pointing out that a 20mm armed P-39 is not "by definition" a P-400, which many posters seem to insinuate or declare directly, in threads here, and elsewhere.

...HTCs policy on skinning aside.

Im not "for" or "against" im just clarifying for info.

I get that part

Tis why the question was asked to begin with cause a 400 isn't a D, but as with the P38G, they weren't doing an  F or H so skins based on those were allowed on the G as they flew F, G and H's together in the squadrons at the same time.

[Squire]

If I had a vote, I would say P-39D/F/M and P-400s as one grp, and P-39N/Qs (later varients) as another. The D/F/Ms and 400s all have wing guns, and are earlier models, where the P-39Ns often had the wing guns removed, so they are really identical to P-39Qs.

...As for "Air-A-Cutie" ya, nice skin, I think the serial # does identify her as a P-39F, as per the other sources listed.

[BaDkaRmA158Th]

Does anybody know which D we have?

I would like to know this also, widewing?!

[snowey]

the p 400 was suposd to be sent to britain but they didnt like it because it was suposed to be the original version but we sent them the d so they were sent to rusia or to the pacific and a couple stayed to be used by the eagle squadron

[Fencer51]

the p 400 was suposd to be sent to britain but they didnt like it because it was suposed to be the original version but we sent them the d so they were sent to rusia or to the pacific and a couple stayed to be used by the eagle squadron

Wow.