Here’s that P-40M you mentioned KT. Whereas the P-51D’s shape was subtly “odd”, the P-40M is a bit Bugs Bunny-ish, IMO- and I’m squarely in the camp of Barney Builders.
This is a fun kit to build- nice engineering, good fit. I enjoyed it. But it really has some odd shape issues… the lower part of the cowl is too curved and I think a bit too shallow, the spinner is too bulbous, the props are “banana like”, and there is inconsistency in the engraving. (For example, the rudder has the trim tab engraved on one side, but not the other. One horz. stab. has full engraving on both sides, while the other only on one side.)
I know I sound like a shape Nazi, but I’m really not… it’s just a darn shame HB didn’t do 10% more work to get the basic shape right.
These guys could own the low-end market with just a little more work.
If you love P-40s like I do, just go ahead and get one and build it and enjoy it, like I did. It’s kind of like a Charlie Brown Christmas tree.
Just goes to show that if you “build it like a kid”, which is my motto, you can enjoy just about any kit! (And I did enjoy it!)
I saw that P-38J. Looks cool, but I’m such an OOB guy, I’ll probably pass on it. All the resin and p/e would be lost on me. Well, the p/e at least. If the resin fits good, that might be kinda cool. But unless p/e is required for something in a kit, I rarely use it. Find it too fiddly and frustrating.
I actually have the Academy kit in the stash, so maybe Eduard will release the resin repeatedly.
Very, very nice, not a paint scheme I see often on P-40’s you did a bang up job[B]. I also like to see another OOB builder, makes it a little more… challenging… and rewarding.
Its nice to see someone outside NZ paying attention to the kiwi schemes.
Youve done a bangup job of that, it looks good.
I dont mean to nitpick, but did you research the particular aircraft in question? Its got quite an interesting history. Its also meant to be a K, not an M.
News article from one of its many accidents over the years.
Thanks Reasoned! I find building OOB keeps it fun for me. A few years ago I had a bad case of AMS, and I realized it was wringing the fun out of the hobby. SO I decided I’d start building it like a kid, and I haven’t looked back!
Hey SM, thanks for the kind words.
Yep, I did see that article, actually. It’s why I picked that scheme. Quite cool, isn’t it? I guess I should have pointed out that it’s “built” as a K, not an M. Of course, there’s not too much visible difference! And with this kit, it’s kind of a toss up between a late K and M model. The grid for the carb by-pass is actually not molded on, and the canopy is not quite a K or an M.
I don’t think anyone actually kits a long-tailed K. (Kind of like if you want to build a late E-model with the big tail…, you have to use a big tailed K!)
I found a few other photos of it’s squadron-mates that helped me with weathering and stripes on the upper surfaces.
I actually have quite a few decal sets for Kiwi and Aussie schemes from the South Pacific. I like those schemes a lot. I did a recent commission build for a 485 Sq. Spitfire, too.
Nice. Ive nearly finished my first RNZAF aircraft that im going to keep. Ive done a couple n the past, but ive given them away. A good place to go is ventura publications. They do alot of RNZAF decals.
This is an earlier photo. Ive now weathered the cowl. Got the prop on. and got the flaps on.
