P-39D "Eloise" 345th FS

[Devil 505]

Not sure I like this scheme on the Q. Because the gondolas are mounted inside where the stripes are, they also needed to be painted yellow. But that makes the plane look like a toddler at the pool with floaties on it's arms.



 

[oboe]

LOL I see what you mean.  What prompted you to make it a Q version though?   With that serial number, indicating manufacture in 1942, its unlikely that plane would be a Q variant?

[Devil 505]

For whatever reason, P-39N 'schemes go on the our Q model. 42-9399 is a P-39N-1 BE

To muddy the waters some more regarding P-39 serial numbers, the 43- prefix was never used. A large number of P-39Q's are in the 42- prefix range with 42-21250 being the final one before continuing with 44-2001.

So P-39N production began sometime in 1942 (there is a recorded incident on Dec 7, 1942 involving P-39N 42-4944) At some point in mid 1943, production switch to the P-39Q.

Here is an early production P-39Q with the simple U.S. roundel.

[Vraciu]

Move the stripes or unpaint the gondolas and take it as a concession.   

On some Mustangs the pylons match the theater markings while on others they don't.   Call it artistic concession in this case. 

Nice work.

[oboe]

May be better skinned as a D model?  The N model did not have underwing .50s, but then it did have the more powerful 1325hp Allison as opposed to the 1150hp motor in the D. 

[Devil 505]

May be better skinned as a D model?  The N model did not have underwing .50s, but then it did have the more powerful 1325hp Allison as opposed to the 1150hp motor in the D.

Yeah, it makes we wish that we had the .30 cal wing guns on our Q to make an N, or that a stand alone N model was made for AH.

Since "Eloise" is already in game as a D, I think I'll leave it there and update it with the correct serial number. There's other N models from the 350th FG which don't have wing stripes in line with the gondolas that I'll skin for the Q.

[Vraciu]

What's the story on the P-38 named something Jo?  Mary Jo?  Lady Jo?  My Jo?

I might be interested in that one as a subject.

I'll try again before starting a new thread. 

Guess Guppy ain't interested in helping me out on this one.

[Devil 505]

I updated "Eloise" with the correct serial number on our P-39D.

[lyric1]

 

[Vraciu]

Great looking machine. 

[Guppy35]

Just saw this.  Trust me, Earl would have loved it.  Back in Airwarrior, we did a scenario based in Italy where the 345th FS, 350th FG Jugs were included.  In those skinning days we had one done of Earl's Jug and he flew it.  The line was long to fly with him.  Not often you can say you flew wing on a WW2 fighter pilot