P-39 Airacobra - Rare Part on Ebay

[shelldrake]

Saw this listed on ebay;

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll ... :IT&ih=003

and was wondering a couple of things and hope someone on this site could clear things up:

a) is this item rare? and if so is this one of the reasons why its apparently difficult to restore P-39s; and

b) is the syncronised gear for the nose guns on the P-39?

thanks

Shelldrake
Play it LOUD!

[ww2John]

...inquiring minds want to know...

[jet1]

now all I need is................................

[6trn4brn]

If that is all a one-piece unit, that is very impressive machining...especially when done before CNC machines!

[jet1]

If that is all a one-piece unit, that is very impressive machining...especially when done before CNC machines!

\

in a griffon/merlin case.

[bluehawk15]

I can't access E-bay from work, could someone describe what the part is and what the bid is? It's always good to have spare parts for your P-39, if the price is right!

[SPANNERmkV]

Bluehawk... here you go:

Genuine Bell Factory P-39 Airacobra Propeller shaft plus main gear and bearings with gun synchronizer drive gear.

SPANNER

[hang the expense]

Well,I guess its rare but not as rare as the magnesiun casings that this lives in.The nose case is the reason why only two of all DTs 39s ever had any work done on them.Beautiful airplane but would cost twice what a P-40 does to put in the air.

[shelldrake]

Hangtheexpense;

My point exactly, is the difficulty in getting the 'hardware' such as gear drive and under carriage etc as against the software ie the skins etc, the main reason for so few P-39's being restored to fly?

I understand this particular seller has more items like this for sale so one must ask would such parts determine the difference between a restore to static as against a flyer?

I love the Airacobra and feel there could never be enough of them but as its been stated, there are quite a few P-40's flying now and probably just as many under restoration to fly - is this directly related to the expense and ease of rebuilding each type?

shelldrake

[hang the expense]

Yes.Airworthy landing gear is very hard to find.Flap and gear drives dont exist and that goes for the nose cases as well. I dont know what you can use for a prop either.Back in the early ninties there was a little bit of spares but thats all dried up.The cockpit tub is a lot,lot,lot of work.Much more complicated than P-40 or anything else for that matter.

[Dan K]

...I dont know what you can use for a prop either...

Personally I've grown partial to the look of the four-blade units carried by the Q-21 and Q-25. Jay Wisler still advertises such a unit if any potential Cobra restorers are interested.

X-4 P-39Q/P-63A prop assembly with spinner assembly, serviceable condition, complete assembly, mfgd. by Aero Products $16,500.

[shelldrake]

No sure if its relevant but has anyone noticed who is selling this item?
I've got some background details via a third party but the link didn't click until I recognised the seller, here's a reminder.......Ebay and Wirraway.

Just curious as to what's happening to the P-39D this collector had.


Shelldrake