Kirby70 - I got you down. Group builds are very helpful, you get loads of advice and help. I used to a brush painter. Then a friendly forum member sent me a airbrush.
Please put me down with a 1/48 P-40. Haven’t decided what company or P-40 model but I’ve got some AVG ‘Flying Tigers’ decals I really itching to use so she’ll probably be an early model P-40 and probably from Hasegawa.
BTW: Found this website while looking up which versions served with the AVG:
Red Baron, I haven’t decided on a kit or scale yet. I believe that I’ve got something like 10 different P-40s in multiple scales so we’ll see. I just know that I’ll be in on this build.
The P-40 most associated with the AVG is definitely the P-40B/C (apparently the lend-lease P-40s they got were serialed as Cs, but actually equipped more like Bs…).
They received P-40Es in the spring of 1942, but I believe that was after they’d been integrated into the USAAF.
Hasegawa makes a sweet P-40E, but if you’re after a -B it’s the old Revellogram or the newer Trumpeter (which I know the rivet-counters hate because the angle of the rear stabs is off, or something).
Thanks! I was leaning toward the P-40E but I need to look at the decal sheet to see which version I need. I’ll give the Revell or Trumpy kit a look if it says P-40B or C.
Edit: The AVG decal sheet doesn’t say which version but yeah I’m assuming either a B or C. I’m going to have to do some more research.
Have a second sheet from Zotz with some really nice nose art for a P-40N.
I’ll make up my mind one way or the other by June. [:D]
The AVG received its fist P-40E models on 22 March 1942. These were in the standard US Army Dark Olive Drab 41 over Neutral Gray 43. The fuselage stars were painted over with dark green paint and Chinese roundels were applied directly over the US stars on the wings. The US ARMY was left on the bottom of the wings. These did get Sharks mouths and some got the Disney decals of the tiger. Most did not receive the squadron bands, pilot names or kill marks with at least one exception to that. They also did not receive CAF tail numbers either. Numbers from 101 to 134 have been verified from period photos.
For what it is worth the Revel P40B Flying Tigers decals are sort of a mix of two planes piloted by R. T. Smith. The Angel and kill marks are from #77. The tail number is from #47 that latter became the 23rd FG #14. The wheel decals and fuselage band are also wrong. The yellow should be blue on the wheels and the band should be red. Also the spinner should be either the brown or green of the camo scheme most were brown.
Thanks! My decal sheet didn’t say which model so I’m going to have to do some more research. As Doogs said I think the aircraft is a C model but these were intended for export to the UK as Tomahawk Mk II and were built with some features from the B model. I’m still a bit confused.
Leaning now toward building a N model but we’ll see.
They should be for a B/C model unless the number is 101 or up. I am not sure the exact differences between the model manufactures B/C models so I do not know if decals for one will fit well on another.
Doogs is correct that these were C models that got some B stuff. All of the differences are internal except that C models could carry a drop tank and the AVG models could not.
I would recommend the book “American Volunteer Group Colours and Markings” from the Osprey Aircraft of the Aces series. There was a good deal of variations on the AVG aircraft so if you want to get accurate period photos are a must have here. Also if using the Revel P40B the wings need to be sanded down and re-scribed. The rivets and panel lines are for a E or latter model. The early P-40s were flush riveted and the panel lines were slightly different. The IP is also for an E model on this as well since the ends of the two nose 50s protruded into the cockpit. The windscreen also is not framed but the AVG did have reflector gun sights added and this looks like framing.
Here are some links to some pages with period pics.
I was thinking that if I go with the AVG version of picking up the Academy P-40C/Tomahawk II model which I understand is the old Hobbycraft kit. I’ve heard it has it own problems but it’s cheaper than the Trumpeter kit and I don’t have to replace a bunch of raised detail after I sand it off like the Revell kit. I’m hoping the C won’t be too far off the mark if I leave off the mounts for the drop tank/bombs and putty over the holes.
I’ll give the Osprey book a look, love their stuff.
Six months to go- I’ll have something figured out by then [;)]
I just saw the one…but if it’s the markings with that boxing you’re after (versus just any P-40N) I’d be happy to send along the decal sheet. I’m thinking of going with the Zotz markings. Maybe the NMF one…
And I have this P-40C Flying Tiger from Academy in my stash!
Only one ‘problem’, I allready started with it, I have build it as far as this
I still have to sand it, paint it, make the wheels, wheel wells and the landing gear, decals (offcourse), that sort of stuff.
I really would like to join in, so is that okay with you guys?
