P-39 Airacobra takes shape

Flight Journal, Dec 2003 by Germain, Scott

WITH JUST ONE flyable P-39 in the world, the imminent addition of another P-39 to the civil register will be exciting. Although no completion date has been published, Stephen Grey's P-39Q, thought to be serial number 42-19993, is currently under restoration at Steve Hinton's Fighter Rebuilders in Chino, California.

Recovered from Papua New Guinea, the aircraft was one of several airframes brought out of the jungle by a group headed by David Tallichet. The fighter-or what was left of it-was acquired by Don Whittington and then David Price's Museum of Flying. While there, the aircraft was cosmetically finished for public display, but it was far from airworthy.

At Fighter Rebuilders, restoration of the aircraft is now coming together nicely; the wing has been mated to the fuselage and the landing gear installed. The Allison engine is also under rebuild.

Planes of Fame Chris Fahey states that the airframe is approximately 93 percent new; the parts that arrived for restoration were badly corroded but usable as patterns. The entire right wing is from another airframe, but the chain-driven landing gear and flaps are original, as are the steel fittings.

Grey already decided on a paint scheme. The cockpit will be a rather authentic restoration, with modern radios for increased flight safety.

Scott Germain

WarbirdAeroPress.com