XP-39 original blueprints, info from Bell and parts.

[P-39 Tom]

Hello, my name is Tom and I am totally new to this site. My father was a P-39 expert. (I'm sure some are saying "yeah, yeah") thats ok. He worked at Bell, lead the static restoration of a P-39, helped a shop in Australia by making a complete, correct stencil set for a plane they were doing, helped several other people with other planes, helped write several books and provided hundreds of pictures for other people who wrote books on the subject. Perhaps that may sound a bit"cocky" to some, but you didn't know my dad or his knowledge. Some people he helped because he once saw, and showed me, a magazine cover which had a P-39 being restored and noticed they had the incorrect tail numbers compared to the nickname painted on the plane. He knew this because he had a photo, given to him by the pilot of the airplane that was on the cover. Yes, I saw the picture. He passed away two years ago and I still have several things to sell of his. I am asking for help determining the value. I am not going to try and rip off anyone, but I don't also want to get ripped off. My dad was to kind to several people(to kind) in this arena of "airplane guys" and got taken advantage of in this area. I did find an auction house that gave me a decent reserve on some of the documentation. Maybe some are interested, maybe not, but, Here's what I have:
1. (2) original NOS right rear cockpit glass/plexiglass pieces still with the factory waxy coating. Not sure if it's cosomoline - I'm a car guy and thats what we call it.
2. The ONLY original handwritten notes/diary of when they first started testing the FIRST the xp-39 from 1938.
3. (2) original bound proposals that Bell gave to the military with the photos of the mocked up wooden prototypes of Model #3 and #4
4. 11" long blueprints that correspond with each of the above books
5. a rearview mirror, one exhaust pipe( not sure of the exact name) wing tip light sockets(i believe) a landing light? and I believe a fuel gauge(I'm at work and don't remember exactly)
6. many other blueprints of different prototypes and areas of the plane. Can't exactly say for sure because I haven't opened all of them up.

I don't have pictures of the glass/plexiglass right now. Pictures are a bit our of order compared to my list but you should get the idea. So If anyone can help with ideas on value or place to sell that would be great.

Finally, I also have over 100-125 model airplane kits of all kinds of planes. I use to build models with my dad when i was little and became quite good by the time I hit my teens. However, I'm just keeping ones I did with him. These are ones he got from various places. I'm not going to sell them one at a time because it will take forever but I will sell them lots of 15. If someone is serious we can exchange numbers and make arrangements for pictures. I also have directions, some decal and a couple boxes of planes that have either been broken, missing parts or partially started tht I'd be glad to make a deal on.

Sorry for such a long intro.
Thank You
Tom

 

[fubar57]

Welcome to the site Tom

 

[GregP]

Again, welcome, Tom. I have not read all of the above yet so I might be premature, but ... in your original XP-39 notes, are there any performance numbers that you are willing to share? There have been many threads on the original XP_39 and wild speculation about the actual test airspeed and climb numbers. It would help set decades of arguments aside if there were any real notes about actual performance versus calculated performance.

Thanks in advance and, again, welcome. Please join in!

 

[vikingBerserker]

Welcome aboard.

 

[P-39 Tom]

Welcome aboard.

I will look and see if I can find anything.

 

[Zipper730]

P P-39 Tom , welcome aboard

P-39 Expert , you might want to have a talk with this guy.

 

[vikingBerserker]

I was wondering what is taking him so long.

 

[P-39 Expert]

P P-39 Tom , welcome aboard

P-39 Expert , you might want to have a talk with this guy.

He messaged me yesterday. Said his Dad was a P-39 expert. Guess I need to change my handle.
Looks like he has some interesting stuff there, but I have no idea of the value of any of that. Sound like his Dad was a great guy.

 

[P-39 Expert]

I will look and see if I can find anything.

Tell you right now I will give you $100 just to read those manuals for two weeks and then give them back. Like GregP said, there could be very important information in there.

 

[P-39 Tom]

I finally took a look at that diary and here's what i make of it. It seems as though it's about the plane first being delivered, unassembled, and them putting it together. Running the engine for various times and RPM's to test oil pressure, manifold temp's water temps, vibrations and also testing different scoops. The guys that wrote it talk about the problems and trying different solutions to oil leaks, gauges - lots of mechanical stuff basically. I have added a photo of the one paragraph where they talked about airspeed and have added another picture where they talked about some plane that crashed (possibly one of the prototypes)?? That was on March 23rd Previous to that on Feb 11th is when they wrote a speed of 390 MPH. Sorry if that disappoints some, but, I would think most of you guys may find it interesting.

 

[P-39 Expert]

Fascinating original documents. The crash appears to be of a Seversky (Republic) AP-4 which was a precursor to the P-43.

The 390mph figure appears to be for the prototype P-38 that was on the record breaking flight that crashed at MItchell Field in NY.

Great stuff.

 

[P-39 Tom]

Fascinating original documents. The crash appears to be of a Seversky (Republic) AP-4 which was a precursor to the P-43.

The 390mph figure appears to be for the prototype P-38 that was on the record breaking flight that crashed at MItchell Field in NY.

Great stuff.

Glad you found it interesting. Here are pictures of the NOS rear cockpit plexiglass. I have 2 I want to sell.