SBS MODEL [ MORE REVIEWS ] [ WEBSITE ] [ NEW STORIES ]

In-Box Review
148
P-39 Airacobra Propellers
  • move

by: Rowan Baylis [ MERLIN ]

Among the latest aircraft upgrades from SBS Model are a pair of resin propellers designed for quarterscale P-39 Airacobras. Sets #48030 and #48031 feature Aeroproduct and Curtiss airscrews respectively, and are suitable for both Hasegawa's and Eduard's Aircobras (and quite probably the classic vintage Monogram kit too, although this isn't specified by the makers).

The two set share a common core set of 5 x parts for the spinner and cannon muzzles, to which are added a separate casting for the different style propeller blades. Both sample sets arrived in perfect condition, packed in zip-lock bags with a card liner for protection. The casting in each case was perfect, with not a bubble or other blemish to be seen, and no "flash" to clean up.

My Eduard P-39s are buried deep in the Stash, but Hasegawa's excellent P-400 and P-39Q/N were readily to hand for comparison. As good as the kit parts are, the new resin blades are much finer and more delicate, and have a much more pronounced aerodynamic "twist". Having only been used to the kit interpretations of the propellers until now, I was initially slightly non-plussed by the slightly raised lip at the base of each blade, but checking against the close-up photos in Detail & Scale Vol. 63, low and behold - there it is.

If the propeller blades are good, the cannon muzzles are exquisite. The barrels are deeply hollowed out, and the flash suppressor has wafer-thin walls - possibly among the most delicate castings I've ever seen. A perfect example of the kind of detail possible in resin that simply can't be matched by standard styrene parts.

Each set is accompanied by a simple set of instructions that provide an exploded view, along with a list of which Airacobra variants the cannon types are appropriate for (but ideally you will still want to check photographic references for individual aircraft).

conclusion
SBS Model's P-39 Airacobra propellers are beautifully cast, and their simplicity makes them suitable for anyone wishing to try a resin upgrade for the first time. Their delicacy and detail provide a definite visual improvement over standard kit propellers. Highly recommended.

Please remember, when contacting retailers or manufacturers, to mention that you saw their products highlighted here - on AEROSCALE.
SUMMARY
Highs: Perfectly cast and finely detailed, with simple to follow instructions.
Lows:
Verdict: SBS Model's P-39 propellers provide a perfect bit of "eye candy" up front on any quarterscale Airacobra, offering significant improvements over standard kit airscrews.
Percentage Rating
90%
  Scale: 1:48
  Mfg. ID: 48030 & 48031
  Suggested Retail: 6 Euros each
  PUBLISHED: Feb 13, 2012
  NATIONALITY: United States
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 88.37%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 90.97%

Our Thanks to SBS Model !
This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

View Vendor Homepage  |  More Reviews  

About Rowan Baylis (Merlin)
FROM: NO REGIONAL SELECTED, UNITED KINGDOM

I've been modelling for about 40 years, on and off. While I'm happy to build anything, my interests lie primarily in 1/48 scale aircraft. I mostly concentrate on WW2 subjects, although I'm also interested in WW1, Golden Age aviation and the early Jet Age - and have even been known to build the occas...

Copyright ©2021 text by Rowan Baylis [ MERLIN ]. Images also by copyright holder unless otherwise noted. Opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AeroScale. All rights reserved.



   
ADVERTISEMENT


Photos
Click image to enlarge
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
ADVERTISEMENT