Piper PA48 Enforcer

[K5054NZ]

G'day all
Out of the blue, Lana's pop gives me an old, partly-started Monogram 1:48 Ghost Squadron P-39. Mmmmm..........thoughts begin to swim around in my head.......



this is just the sprues BTW, I'll post airframe pics when progress happens. And in case you've ever wondered what happens when a Vampire and Aermacchi 339 have a mid-air, the result is on the left-hand side......

PIPER PA48 ENFORCER[/size]

While the 1980s wore on, the Piper Aircraft Company sought out an aircraft to be "modernized" for the increasingly profitable counter-insurgency role. British company Hawker Siddeley had major success a decade earlier with their TurBeaufighter and HS.1415 Fury II, and Piper executives looked for an American equivalent.

The nation was scoured for suitable World War 2 airframes to be converted. Among those assessed were the P-47 Thunderbolt, P-51 Mustang, P-40 Warhawk and, the design accepted for redesign, the P-39 Airacobra. The Piper team took to the aircraft with almost a fanatical fervour, giving it stronger wings, a Lycoming turboprop, and enough hardpoints underwing to annhilate any band of rebels.

The completed aircraft took to the Kansan skies in early 1983, and orders were immediately received from all over the world for the design, given the designation PA48 "Enforcer". Although the initial prototype was lost in a disastrous crash (put down to pilot error), two more were built and by 1990 more than 200 had been sold worldwide.

Today the Enforcer continues to serve in the air arms of many South American nations, and a handful are active with various Air National Guard wings around the continental USA. Most recently the ANG aircraft have seen service in Operation Anaconda and Operation Iraqi Freedom.





You like? I'd like to do some work on her today, but not until I've got the shopping done. Til then, enjoy! I'll elaborate the backstory when I feel creative enough.

[Shasper]

Put the AF bird in MAP or revive the Air Commando sqns. as the "Regular" AF would use A-10's...........................


Shas B)  

[Brian da Basher]

I'm really looking forward to seeing this one Zac! I've always loved the P-39 and I can't wait to see how you whif it!

Brian da Basher

[K5054NZ]

Thanks Bri, it certainly will be interesting.....


Shas, great idea - I'll do that!


Anyone got a spare 1:48 Skyraider prop? Please PM me if you don't need it.

[elmayerle]

one small correction, Piper was never in Kansas (Cessna and Beech are, but Piper never was0.  They were in either Pennsylvania or Florida (as I remember, the Enforcer was developed in Florida).

I can't wait to see how this one turns out.  Feel free to PM me if there's anything I can do to help.

[Ollie]

Piper are in Florida right now.

And just make it in RCAF colours, thank you, have a nice day down there.

 

[cthulhu77]

Crikey...moves into new digs, and suddenly is sprouting planes left and right!  These look to be great builds...keep the pics coming !

[K5054NZ]

I know Greg, I can hardly believe my production rate!


Ollie, if you send me the decals, I promise that's what I'll do.


Evan, thanks! I'll correct the backstory when its complete and I'll most definitely PM you for advice, thanks for the offer. Much appreciated  B) .

[K5054NZ]

Greg, before I forget, I have another two in the works, one is a companion for Bryan H's build, and the other for Ollie, Toad, Alvis and all those of a Canadian persuasion......which I think everyone will like. Major work, major secrecy, but you'll like it.


All I'll say for now is that it involves an Airfix kit.