Frog F415 P-39D Airacobra

[Crashpilot]

Hey, seems there´s an interest in reviews of old kits?!
After a review of some Monogram´s and Aurora´s and a Johan by some other members of uamf,
I thought, I share with you shots of my old Frog:




For a Frog kit, it´s detailed: there is a clear landing light, two car doors, the wheel wells are shut
At first sight, it seems the front well is open - but there´s an insert for it, to close it up:





I got the kit just like that, w/o any instructions.
I´m not sure, if it´s really one of the test shots, or if it´s just one out of a Novo boxing of the P-39?
Looks a nice kit for it´s vintage, dunno yet, when I´ll build it?
maybe, some Frog GB is due?

[fireblade]

I bought one of these out of a Comet Miniatures odd bin at Duxford, many years ago. Comet had a deal with Lines Bros on excess stock and when they went bust Comet had loads of unboxed kits and loose decals. The Lines/Hellstrom book says that 100 test shots were run and a few decal sheets printed, but no boxes were manufactured. It's a pity it was never released, it demonstrates that Frog were upping their game and it would have been the best available P-39 in 1/72 (even now there is no definitive kit in 1/72). I've never seen Frog Spawn, a bit strange considering the number of Russian schemes that could be applied to a P-39, but Scalemates indicate that some have been released.

[ShaunW]

Nice to see this, Crash. Looking at the pics though it looks like there is provision for the landing gear to be displayed in the down position as I can see the requisite wheels, oleos and doors. The landing gear bays look to be a little shallow from what I can see and that is not altogether unusual for a kit of this vintage, but they do look to be "open".

[gnomemeansgnome]

That's pretty cool; I didn't know that FROG ever did a P-39, and it does look like it would stack up rather well, certainly better than the Airfix one at any rate. Looking forward to your build.

[Crashpilot]

Once i'm back home, i'll compare the kit with photos and plans of the real thing.
And comparing it with the Heller one, will be interesting!
About those wheel wells: I mean to say, they are "boxed-in", "shut" don't put it right

[Gregers]

Great find. I am sure somewhere in the deep stash I have a very rough copy of this kit. It is so bad that if it had any more flash it would look like a vacform.
I too am looking forward to your build.

All the best.

Greg.

[splash]

Thanks for the review, I like the old Frog kits, Frog did a lot of Fleet Air Arm a/c and subject other manufacturers didn’t.

Although Frog kits were basic with little detail their shape and profiles were generally quit good.

[Crashpilot]

I'd like to make a start on the Cobra , but time doesnt permit :-(
Wing to fuse joint is problematic, I'll show, once Im back 'ome.