FGMM Aviation P-39 Wahl-Eye II (Pat)

**cjwalas** · #1 03-13-2010, 11:40 AM

This is a stock build (with the exception of the clear canopy suggested in the instructions) of the P-39 flown by Lt. Pat Wahl in New Guinea. I had printed this one out before I noticed its scale, 1:30. I'm trying to keep as much in the 1:33 scale as I can for stuff that's going to go up on the wall, so this was a little boo-boo! I'm going to do a modded version of the "Snook's 2nd" P-39 scaled to 1:33. As I had this one already printed, I thought it would be a good trial run and I'm very glad I did it. I've drawn up a list of changes I want to make on the next one.
The fuselage went together very easily;

FGMM Aviation P-39 Wahl-Eye II (Pat)-img_3512.jpg

And while the wings are all easy to do, I had trouble with the alignment and one of the tail wings is at the wrong angle.

FGMM Aviation P-39 Wahl-Eye II (Pat)-img_3518.jpg

FG has taken some liberties with the basic shape of the plane for the sake of simplicity and they've done a good job of it, as usual. The model comes out looking pretty decent and I appreciate the designer's ability to simplify the model and still get the essence of the prototype.

FGMM Aviation P-39 Wahl-Eye II (Pat)-img_3519.jpg

FGMM Aviation P-39 Wahl-Eye II (Pat)-img_3521.jpg

FGMM Aviation P-39 Wahl-Eye II (Pat)-img_3522.jpg

FGMM Aviation P-39 Wahl-Eye II (Pat)-img_3523.jpg

FGMM Aviation P-39 Wahl-Eye II (Pat)-img_3524.jpg

FGMM Aviation P-39 Wahl-Eye II (Pat)-img_3527.jpg

FGMM Aviation P-39 Wahl-Eye II (Pat)-img_3530.jpg

This build has really gotten my interest up for doing the "Snook's 2nd" version. I'm gathering all my reference material now!
Chris

**cmdr199212** · #2 03-13-2010, 01:55 PM

awesomeness! Great work!

**cdwheatley** · #3 03-13-2010, 02:41 PM

That looks REALLY good! I gotta build one of these sometime.

**rmks2000** · #4 03-13-2010, 03:02 PM

Looks good! Nice job with the canopy.

**cjwalas** · #5 03-13-2010, 03:14 PM

Thanks guys. Actually, the canopy is the sore spot on this one. I suspect it's less of an issue if you build the paper canopy, but there are some alignment problems when you go for the clear one that are not easy to fix. On my next P-39 I'm going to have to make a heavier, formed canopy to build the frame over to get a good look to it.
At 1:30 scale, this is an impressive model for such a simple design. FG does it again!
Chris

**jagolden01** · #6 03-14-2010, 12:42 PM

Chris, that is downright beautiful. The finish is just great!
Canopy looks just fine to me.

**Tapcho** · #7 03-14-2010, 12:58 PM

Absolutely nice looking flying canon. This is a must for me someday. Brilliant work.

**BARX2** · #8 03-14-2010, 02:57 PM

Excellent job! Looks great.

**willygoat** · #9 03-14-2010, 04:55 PM

That looks great Chris! Can't wait to see what you do for the next one.

**rockpaperscissor** · #10 03-14-2010, 05:15 PM

That really came out nice. The FG P-39 is definitely on my short list - seeing how your's turned out moved it up a few notches.