realworkingsailor

A bit more fun for everyone:
 
 
Andy

A bit more fun for everyone:
 
 
Andy

Welcome! Glad to have you along for the journey!
 
Andy

Thanks James! Don’t worry, you only missed the trailers, the main feature hasn’t yet begun!
 
I got everything from Hannants, they have a pretty good selection of aftermarket bits.
 
Andy

A bit more fun for everyone:
 
 
Andy

Welcome! Glad to have you along for the journey!
 
Andy

A bit more fun for everyone:
 
 
Andy

Welcome! Glad to have you along for the journey!
 
Andy

Thanks James! Don’t worry, you only missed the trailers, the main feature hasn’t yet begun!
 
I got everything from Hannants, they have a pretty good selection of aftermarket bits.
 
Andy

Did Mini-me bring a camera? I’m sure he’s had an adventure! How many model ship decks has he walked since he left?
 
Or is the next piece of electronic equipment that he’s going to get an ankle monitor?
 
Andy

Love this plane! I'm in.

Thanks James! Don’t worry, you only missed the trailers, the main feature hasn’t yet begun!
 
I got everything from Hannants, they have a pretty good selection of aftermarket bits.
 
Andy

Thanks James! Don’t worry, you only missed the trailers, the main feature hasn’t yet begun!
 
I got everything from Hannants, they have a pretty good selection of aftermarket bits.
 
Andy

Thanks James! Don’t worry, you only missed the trailers, the main feature hasn’t yet begun!
 
I got everything from Hannants, they have a pretty good selection of aftermarket bits.
 
Andy

Thanks James! Don’t worry, you only missed the trailers, the main feature hasn’t yet begun!
 
I got everything from Hannants, they have a pretty good selection of aftermarket bits.
 
Andy

Did Mini-me bring a camera? I’m sure he’s had an adventure! How many model ship decks has he walked since he left?
 
Or is the next piece of electronic equipment that he’s going to get an ankle monitor?
 
Andy

Okay, the canopy is all done and mounted. Here's a couple of in-progress shots.
 
I got the canopy freed from its mold without too much difficulty. I did, though, in my efforts to clean the thing up accidentally scuff the interior glazing with my emery board. Oops! I also mounted and painted the interior grab handles, as well as the frame for the armored glass. I didn't actually add the armored glass, because a. it is a pain, and b. you can't really see it inside the closed cockpit. Apart from the scuffing, this is actually one of the better canopies I have done.
 

 

 
While bits of the cockpit were drying here and there, I finished up the propeller hub and blades. To try and make a cleaner, neater hub, I did a little sanding and filling of the basic assembly.
 

 
I then sprayed the hub with satin-finish spray paint. Unfortunately, it's the kind that takes a looooong time to dry, so I will probably have to wait until tomorrow for the final assembly. The black of the hub and blades is now quite different shades, so I may end up painting the blades a darker black as well.
 

 
And that's all for now!

If you just want to replace the IP, try Yahu models. Here’s an example from a Canadian retailer:
 
https://thunderbirdmodels.com/en/132-aircraft-accessories/446-yma3210-yahu-models-132-mosquito-nf-iifb-vi-instrument-panel.html
 
They’re relatively inexpensive, and ready to use.
 
Andy

A little late joining, just catching up on the fascinating fighter discussions. 
Some interesting aftermarket purchases Andy, by manufacturers that I haven't seen before in the UK. I'm in for sure. 👍🏻

I’ve seen a build video on YouTube of this kit. Interesting project!
 
 
Andy

I think, too, it’s worth looking briefly at Curtiss’ production order book. Not only did they have the USAAF’s purchase orders to satisfy, but they were sending planes to the French (before mid 1940), the British, including Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders and South Africans, the Russians, and even Brazil got a few as well (among others I may have missed). Delaying production to retool for a new plane could have been disastrous. NAA was not as burdened with orders (sure they were making T6s, but their loss rate was significantly less than a frontline fighter), so they could take the time needed to tool up without risking critical output.
 
Oh, and aside from the P40D, P40L, and some of the early P40Ns, the rest of the latter P40s had six .50 cals too. But yes, the P51 was just that half-generational step ahead of the P40, so a much more worthwhile investment in the long term.
 
Andy

And now for part 2!
 
The Kit
 
Armed with the information I uncovered, it was now time to find a kit. I was immediately drawn to the selection of P-40 kits offered by Special Hobby. I had a great experience building their Blackburn Skua a few months ago. That particular kit is definitely not meant for beginners, but it is nonetheless a great kit. For those not familiar, SH has a rather extensive line up of later model P-40s to choose from, most of them are recent toolings. There are options for anyone looking to build a P-40E, D, K, M and N (and their RAF name equivalents), based on a tooling dating to 2017, for the more adventurous there is a P-40 F or L based on a 2008 tooling. Focusing on the 2017 tooling, Special Hobby has designed the kit along a frame of parts that are common to each variant, along with a selection of alternative parts specific to each variant. The subtle differences in fuselage are accounted for by the addition of a small separate frame comprising the proper fuselage for the variant selected.
 

 
The kit itself is packaged in a rigid top opening box. This is one of the ways this kit is a generational step away from SH’s earlier offerings. You can see the differences clearly when compared to the package that came with the Skua. The lower tray is made of good stiff cardboard, even thicker that some kit boxes from other popular hobby brands. If you’re a stasher, this kit will happily (?) survive at the bottom of your stack.
 

 
The plastic parts are contained in a single plastic bag, however there is a smaller bag for the clear parts and a tiny bag containing a pair of fragile resin parts to use on one of the kit variations.
 

 
The clear parts are thin and very clearly moulded with minimal distortion. The canopy frame detail is well defined and for those who wish, they could cut their own masks relatively easily. There are two cockpit canopy options, so is can be posed open or shut, another nice change from their earlier models.
 

 
The rest of the kit comes as three grey sprues. The two moulded in a darker grey contain the “common” and optional parts. Three separate IPs, two different seats, and two different rear bulkheads, among others. For the most part the moulding is crisp and the moulded details are up to an acceptable standard. There is a small amount of flash here and there, but no other defects such as short shots or mould misalignments.
 

 

 
The fuselage halves come on a separate sprue, moulded in more of an “Airfix Grey” plastic and are specific to this variant. In this case, this represents one of the earlier P-40K variants. One of the issues pilots began to encounter was the P-40 could become unstable in a high speed dive. The first attempt to rectify this problem was to add an extended fillet on the leading edge of the vertical stabilizer, where it transitioned to the fuselage. While this helped a bit, it did not solve the problem entirely. A permanent fix was made by extending the fin and rudder aft, resulting in the “long tail” variant (it’s worth noting that only the fin and rudder were moved back, the tail plane stayed put). This modification was carried forward in all subsequent P-40 variants until the end of production.
 

 

 
The details on the fuselage, like the rest of the parts are crisp and finely moulded. The panel lines are very finely moulded, with the more prominent screws and fasteners well shown. The cockpit sidewalls are separate pieces, so the moulded interior detail is minimal. Of note, SH is now including locating pins and other moulded tabs and slots to aid in assembly!
 

 
The kit instructions come in a small booklet. They are printed in partial colour and include a sprue map which clearly shows which parts will not be used for this version. (the sprues also include numbers moulded beside the parts, yet another upgrade). There are paint callouts for Gunze paints, but the colour name is written out to ease choosing paints of a different brand.
 

 
The instructions are fairly clear, although there is a lot going on with each step.
 

 
The final pages of the instruction manual include full colour 4 view diagrams for each of the included paint schemes. In this offering there are three American schemes and one Soviet version. The last page comprises another 4 view diagram showing the stencil placement.
 

 
The included decals are much better than their earlier offerings. I’m not sure who printed them, but they're almost Cartograph quality. I say almost as the stencil writing isn’t really legible where I’ve seen some impressively fine writing on the Cartograph decals included with Airfix’s kits. If you’re not worried about reading the various minute warning labels, that shouldn’t prove to be too much of a problem. The registration is accurate and the colour separation clear.
 

 
Overall, this looks to be a very impressive offering from Special Hobby. Everything looks to be a significant improvement over their earlier offerings. While not a “shake the box” kit, it should prove to be a nice kit to build, and I am looking forward to the challenge.
 
In the next part, I will go over the extras I have bought to upgrade the kit to build the model I wish.
 
Andy
 
 
 

If you just want to replace the IP, try Yahu models. Here’s an example from a Canadian retailer:
 
https://thunderbirdmodels.com/en/132-aircraft-accessories/446-yma3210-yahu-models-132-mosquito-nf-iifb-vi-instrument-panel.html
 
They’re relatively inexpensive, and ready to use.
 
Andy

Thanks, just found it here in the Netherlands (1/48 scale) at less than 5 euro. I just ordered it, together with an 'in action' publication about the Mosquito (you know, just to achieve an amount worthy of the order).
Cheers,
Dan

If you just want to replace the IP, try Yahu models. Here’s an example from a Canadian retailer:
 
https://thunderbirdmodels.com/en/132-aircraft-accessories/446-yma3210-yahu-models-132-mosquito-nf-iifb-vi-instrument-panel.html
 
They’re relatively inexpensive, and ready to use.
 
Andy