Airacobra, anyone?

[Tulio]

From B'stormers:


RARE WARBIRD FOR SALE • $445,000 • FOR SALE • Bell P-39Q-15, Serial # 44-2911, manufactured 11-23-1943. This aircraft was discovered in Northern Russian in July 2004. It is in very good condition and is one of the finest aircraft that has been recovered out of Russia. One of the advantages of being in a lake in Northern Russian is the cold and lack of oxygen which prevents corrosion. In has over 100 combat missions, complete logbooks were found in the cockpit. The airplane is unique in that it is complete, something that is very rare in today's warbird world. At least 95% of the aircraft would be original after restoration. This aircraft is a true time capsule. Stock aircraft such as this have not been on the market for years. The P-39Q represents America's support of the Soviet allies through the Lend Lease Program. Several of the Soviet top aces flew the P-39 during the major part of WW II. The top scoring Airacobra pilot was G.A. Rechkalov with 50 victories. • Contact Mike Walton - located Cave Creek, AZ USA • Telephone: 480-861-4658 • Posted August 20, 2005


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Tulio

[RMAllnutt]

This must be the one that was covered in a recent Classic Wings article. If so, it was also recovered complete with the pilot's body IIRC. It was in remarkable condition though! Hope someone picks it up and does a sympathetic restoration... to be honest, it really deserves to be done as a static, since the skin would be replaced in an airworthy restoration. Thanks for the info. Tulio.

Cheers,
Richard

[Glenn Wegman]

[img][img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v647/Fighter1/P-39Q-1542-911cockpit2.jpg[/img]
Just got this image the other day.

Glenn

http://home.bellsouth.net/p/PWP-Fighter

[tom d. friedman]

great cockpit shot!!! instruments in remarkable shape!! any pics available of the rest of the fuselage??

[DaveM2]

This must be the one that was covered in a recent Classic Wings article. If so, it was also recovered complete with the pilot's body IIRC. It was in remarkable condition though! Hope someone picks it up and does a sympathetic restoration... to be honest, it really deserves to be done as a static, since the skin would be replaced in an airworthy restoration. Thanks for the info. Tulio.

Cheers,
Richard

Richard

Yes it is the same aircraft featured in CW. All that remained of the pilot were some bones in the bottom of the cockpit, and he is now laid to rest in a military cemetary after receiving full honours.

Dave

[Glenn Wegman]

[img][img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v647/Fighter1/P-39Q.jpg[/img]

Images compliments of Mike Walton.

Glenn

http://home.bellsouth.net/p/PWP-Fighter

[B-29 Super Fort]

[img][img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v647/Fighter1/P-39Q.jpg[/img]

Images compliments of Mike Walton.

Glenn

http://home.bellsouth.net/p/PWP-Fighter

Thats in amazing shape thanks for the photo. I wonder how difficult it would it be to pass through US customs these days?

[Randy Haskin]

Glenn -

How realistic is that claim that the original skins could be used??

[Glenn Wegman]

Hello Randy,

Can't really tell from the images what shape the skins are in, but I did see one of the Lake Michigan Wildcats and it was pretty amazing. Still like new inside, you could read the stenciling inside the rear fuselage and the paint was still good after pressure washing the slime off.

Glenn

http://home.bellsouth.net/p/PWP-Fighter

[tom d. friedman]

many thanks for additional pics!!! she would make a great display unrestored as well as flying!!!

[Aircraft Mech Paul]

Hi All,

Amazing that this bird is in nearly intact as the photo's indicate. Very rare find indeed. And one would hope that if and when a restoration is done it will retain the Russian markings. Simply fine potential there.

Thanks for posting the photo's

Paul

[bdk]

... to be honest, it really deserves to be done as a static, since the skin would be replaced in an airworthy restoration.

I've seen a recent freshwater recovery and while there were a few skins corroded through, most of the skins looked to be in excellent condition. In fact some of the bare metal skins still had a shine and many of the internal components looked like new. I'm not sure I agree with your assessment.

Last edited by bdk on Mon Aug 22, 2005 10:31 am, edited 1 time in total.

[DaveM2]

Hi All,

Amazing that this bird is in nearly intact as the photo's indicate. Very rare find indeed. And one would hope that if and when a restoration is done it will retain the Russian markings. Simply fine potential there.

Thanks for posting the photo's

Paul

Paul

Been some really nice Russian P-40 finds, but they always seem to end up in AVG markings..certainly would be nice to see at least one wearing its operation markings at the time of loss.

Dave

p.s. Did you receive my PM ?

[Mick Grinter]

It may have survived this far but it will go to powder real quick
A bit of oxidization even the rubber sufferes not on the floor though there must have been a bit of sludge on it.
Nice photo,i wondered where that bit went now i.
Where's the seat.

[Mick Grinter]

It may have survived this far but it will go to powder real quick
A bit of oxidization even the rubber sufferes not on the floor though there must have been a bit of sludge on it.
Nice photo,i wondered where that bit went now i know.
I wanted that under the seat shot.
Where's the seat.