Top Flite P-39 ( Gold Edition )

I recently acquired a Gold Edition kit, with retracts, an offer which I couldn't refuse.  This kit has been discontinued for awhile now ( 2010? ).  The original was designed by Dave Platt for Top Flite, I'm going to guess around 1970-1972.  Dave left Top Flite to start his own business.

It had decals for an airplane that served in North Africa with the 93rd Fighter Squadron ( P-39L-1-BE serial 42-4558, "The Pantie Bandit" ).

Then, somewhere around 2000, the Gold Edition hit the market, designed by Ernest J LeClair.  He also did the Stinson, Bonanza and DC-3 for Top Flite.  Many scale improvements were made.  The control surfaces were ribbed, tail surfaces were airfoil shaped, split flaps and retracts were incorporated.  The wing used the new Selig airfoils, first introduced on the P-47, if I recall correctly.

This airplane has markings of a J model flown by Leslie Spoonts Jr. in the Aleutians ( Alaska ) with the 57th Fighter Squadron ( serial 41-7073 ).  As such, it didn't have the olive drab and tan paint scheme, as shown on the box.  Airplanes were painted that way for operations in the Med theatre.

I always thought it would be cool to put the engine behind the cockpit in the model.  Well, cooling might be a problem, but it could be done with some modifications.  Take the Thompson Trophy racers, for example.

They had an extra scoop under the center section of the wing, which would be ideal for cooling an inverted engine.  Likewise, the radiator exit flap was in the center wing trailing edge and so the model would have to be similarly constructed.  Then, there's the problem of an extension shaft and how to prevent it from loosening off the propeller shaft.  The model will be heavier, due to having to balance the airplane without an engine in the nose and so more power will be needed.  I'm thinking an RCV 130 CD might be ideal.  I also like that engine for the Sea Fury, being sleeve valved and all, just like the real thing!