Zac And Lana Get A P-39!

[K5054NZ]

Hi all

Courtesy Classic Wings magazine:

THE YATES' AIRACOBRA
Blenheim's Zac and Lana Yates have purchased a Bell P-39 Airacobra project from David Tallichet. The aircraft, recovered from Papua New Guinea during the major recovery at Tadji in 1974, is believed to be a former RNZAF example, making it the only such P-39 to be earmarked for airworthy restoration.
After its recovery the aircraft was shipped to the US for storage pending sale, sitting in a fenced compound at Chino, and it is at Chino that restoration by Fighter Rebuilders will soon commence. The goal of getting the aircraft to Oshkosh in two years time has been set, and going from past experience the Fighter Rebuilders team are more than capable of doing it. We'll bring you updates on this exciting new project as and when they happen.

Pics when she;s done! Almost there, just need Lana to do the wheels and then I can paint her. Got a killer scheme lined up!

Cheers,

Zac

[K5054NZ]

Hi all

Here's a sneaky lil update for yas:



No, its not the final paint scheme. I'm letting the eight or so coats of White (AAAAAAAARGH I HATE GLOSS SOOOOOO MUCH!!!) dry for a few more days, maybe a week, before I mask and apply the RNZAF camo. Here's another pic which shows you some more.



You can see the L-39 ZK-CZK is getting her long-awaited paintjob. Stay tuned for updates on both soon!

Comments as always welcome.

Cheers,

Zac

KIWI AIRACOBRA AIRBORNE AT LAST!
The Bell P-39 of New Zealand's Zac and Lana Yates, N3255Y, made an historic post-restoration flight at Chino in the United States on January 12. The former RNZAF aircraft, recovered from Tadji in Papua New Guinea in 1974, flew for 40min on a clear afternoon, and pilot Steve Hinton commented that the aircraft was the nicest example of the mid-engined fighter he had flown. High praise indeed!
The as-yet unpainted aircraft is scheduled to appear at Oshkosh in July, and is expected to draw many more enthusiastic comments due to its amazing details and accuracy. A glimpse into the aircraft's innards will show all the original wartime equipment, including its complement of machineguns and cannon, practically ready to go into battle. A contender for Grand Champion Warbird? We'll see come July, however before then the RNZAF colour scheme has to be applied, and from the plans shown to CW it will most certainly be worth the wait!

[B777LR]

Thats nice! Youre skills are improving! (just like mine) B)  

[Brian da Basher]

Yowsa Zac, that's some excellent work! I am waaaay impressed with your detailing! You're really getting good at it! It's a real demonstration of your skill and patience! Thanks for the update. You know I'll be looking forward to seeing more. The P-39 is one of my favorites!

Brian da Basher

[cthulhu77]

Waiting to see what you do with the scheme on this one...

[John Howling Mouse]

I see that it will soon be time for you to construct your own lightsaber...

Yeah, ain't white paint a charm?  I build my white and yellow requirements up using matte paints.  That way, I can paint many more coats in half the time and without some of the hassles that seem to come with gloss paints.  Then a bit of brushed on Future if a final gloss is needed.  I read in FSM once how some of the best automobile models are done this way, too!

[lancer]

Looking very good Zac mate, very good indeed.

[Rafael]

Marvelous, Zac and Lana!! I like the interior decoration.
What scale?
And that white paint is hinting at a stunning paintjob. I also hate white. More than grey!!!

Congrats,
Rafa

[B777LR]

What scale?

1/48, you missed the title        

[John Howling Mouse]

Oh, another thing I recalled about painting white with less hassle: when you use the matte paint to speed up drying but you're also handbrushing, separate some of your white paint off into another container and add a drop or two of flat black to this.  Mix well.  This slightly off-white paint will be more opague than just white alone.  Your final topcoat can be brushed with your pure white paint.

HTH.

P.S.  What scale is this?      

[retro_seventies]

looking good kids - and you're productivity is something fierce (like your backstory creation - always something for every model!).

ummm....what scale did you say this was?    

[K5054NZ]

Hi all,

1:48!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks one and all for your kind words. The scheme will be the standard seen on RNZAF P-40s in the Pacific, so if you want to ruin the surprise do a Google image search   .

Ben, re: backstories, I take an immense amount of pride in my backstories. I just looooooove writing them, and its the only way I can express my creativity these days (God I hate my job). Got some great stuff lined up for my other two current "warbird" projects.

More pics when I feel brave enough to mask the white and do the camo.

Cheers,

Zac

PS - You guys won't *believe* the project Lana's working on...........  - ZY

[K5054NZ]

Hey guys!

Hopefully I'll be able to post some more positive progress as, shock horror, I think after three, four days the Gloss White  may finally be dry! Updates when I at last get the signature camo on! I can't wait to unveil her to you guys, and from the looks of the weather it'll be perfect for some static shots!

See ya all soon!

Cheers,
Zac

[K5054NZ]

Hi all,



(courtesy Classic Wings magazine) KIWI AIRACOBRA AIRBORNE AT LAST!
The Bell P-39 of New Zealand's Zac and Lana Yates, 42-27787 N3217Y, made an historic post-restoration flight at Chino in the United States on January 12. The former RNZAF aircraft, recovered from Tadji in Papua New Guinea in 1974, flew for 40min on a clear afternoon, and pilot Steve Hinton commented that the aircraft was the nicest example of the mid-engined fighter he had flown. High praise indeed!
The as-yet unpainted aircraft is scheduled to appear at Oshkosh in July, and is expected to draw many more enthusiastic comments due to its amazing details and accuracy. A glimpse into the aircraft's innards will show all the original wartime equipment, including its complement of machineguns and cannon, practically ready to go into battle. A contender for Grand Champion Warbird? We'll see come July, however before then the RNZAF colour scheme has to be applied, and from the plans shown to CW it will most certainly be worth the wait!



(courtesy Classic Wings magazine) COBRA HOMECOMING
August 24 saw a shipping container arrive at Nelson, New Zealand, which when opened revealed a mint condition P-39 Airacobra. The Grand Champion trophy award-winning aircraft, 42-27787 (now registered as ZK-CBR), made the short flight from Nelson to her new home at Omaka, near Blenheim, soon after being unpacked and arrived to a very appreciative crowd.
The highly original aircraft is set to star at the Warbirds Over Wanaka show next year, making her Kiwi airshow debut. Owner Zac Yates is currently undergoing conversion training with experienced P-39 pilot Steve Hinton (who carried out the test flights and the ferry home) at Chino before making his first flight in his newest mount sometime in November.
The Airacobra, serialled NZ3217, is the sole ex-RNZAF P-39 currently airworthy, and is the first to fly since 1948 (look for a feature on this truly stunning aircraft in a future issue). Two more survive – one at the RNZAF Museum at Wigram, and another in the private collection of John Smith at Mapua. The aircraft was one of many significant (and largely complete) fighters recovered from Tadji in Papua New Guinea in the mammoth recovery effort of 1974, and is the second P-39 from that haul to take to the skies once more (the other being The Fighter Collection's example). Another Tadji refugee, P-40N A29-448/ZK-CAG escorted NZ3217 on her short ferry from Nelson to Omaka, and the two are set to be permanent hangar-mates following a new syndicate move (see News, p.14 last edition).
Our coverage on the very successful EAA AirVenture begins on page 48.



(courtesy CONTACT, newsletter of the Marlborough Warbirds Association) A 'COBRA FOR ZAC'S LOGBOOK
Omaka's Zac Yates has made his first flight in his splendid Bell P-39, this event occurring at last on September 27. His flight lasted only 20min, but left a lasting impression if his irremovable smile is anything to go by!
Zac's now actively planning a routine for Warbirds Over Wanaka showing off the aircraft's superb low-level performance and its highly attractive RNZAF camouflage scheme. The aircraft, which was restored at Steve Hinton's Fighter Rebuilders (based at Chino is the US), is amazingly original, from the totally complete weaponry right down to the fully working gunsight and even an original map holder!
MWA members have a chance to take a closer look at ZK-CBR (and see exactly why she took home Grand Champion Warbird at Oshkosh) at the next Hangar Round in January, and this is one not to be missed as none other than the legendary Steve Hinton will be in town! Zac's asked him to talk us all through the restoration and he is willing to oblige – call Marty or Graham for details.



All comments, as always, warmly appreciated. I must say now that I'm very pleased with how this bird has turned out. Very much contemplating an MM review. My thanks to Lana's dad for the kit. Monogram 1:48 P-39 Airacobra, Confederate Air Force "Ghost Squadron" boxing. Ventura and Gekko Graphics aftermarket decals used. Tamiya acrylics and Revell Contacta Professional cement.



Cheers,
Zac

[BlackOps]

Bail out, you've got a giant scrubby on yer six!  

I like it, sure white is a pain but the stripes, nose and tail paint really do add to the overall look quite a bit.