Can someone educate me as to the major differences between a Curtiss P-40B and a P-40E. I am putting together a Pearl Harbor project and the P-40B and -C were the ones there on December 7th. Finding a P-40B has been a pain in the you know what. If there is a B or C out there to be had, please help an frustrated old Grandpa. thanks
Externally the main differences are teh engine and armament. The E had a more powerful engine with a deeper chin scoop. The nose mounted .50s were deleted and wing guns were changed from 4 x .30s to 6 x .50s. I am surer ethere were internal differences as well, but those were what you would see on the outside.
Well, from one Grandpa to another…
Technically, the E-model was known as the “Kittyhawk”… Besides the major visual difference of the cowl, as Stik pointed out, the windscreen also has a different shape & depth, with the resulting canopy change, and a slighty narrower fuselage that incorporated an improved cockpit, more armor, and the addition of a reflector gunsight that replaced (OR was added in addition to) the Ring & Bead system found on the B/C/D models. The engine was a bit more powerful, and with the addition of bomb racks, it was more effective as a ground-attack fighter. If you’re thinking of back-dating an E to a B/C, forget it…
BUT!!!
For your Pearl Harbor Project, the 1/48th Revell (Ex-Monogram) P-40B is still one of the best kits out there, offers you the decal options of an AVG P-40, RAF No. 112 Squadron, or USAAC 8th Pursuit Group P-40, with separate flaps, a nicely detailed cockpit which, for a 1960s-era kit, is outstanding. Although some minor sheet plastic-work needs to be done to hide a “see-through” effect from the cockpit to the flap wells, and a slot in the seat-back that needs closing (if you opt not to use the excellent pilot figure), you have a choice in using a two–piece canopy in the “closed” position, or a four-piece “open” one. It’ll cost you about 12.00 bucks and should be available just about everywhere that Revell/Monogram kits are sold… IMNSHO, it’s the P-40B kit to have in your stash… Actually, you should have at least three, just to be able to build all three versions, lol… Kit-pickers will poo-poo its “1960s” raised panel lines, but for the price of one of the new “Shake & Bakes”, you could build all three versions of the Revell kit…
Frankly, and my bias is showing, I’ve built it at LEAST a half-dozen times (I think about everyone else who ever built a P-40 has too) and have three or four sitting in the closet still… Plus, just to brag a bit, I built one for the late General Tex Hill back in 1996 or so…
I’ll second Hans’ comments about the Monogram P-40. I just finished it in AVG markings and it is a good solid simple build. The raised details are finely done once you lay the paint on your really can’t tell without getting close. Some seams need to be filled and sanded particularly around the nose area and care must be taken to not sand off too much detail, but overall fit is good.
There is an Academy P-40C. I have it but haven’t worked on it yet. As for the price, well you will spend more on the Pearl Harbor decals that you will on the Monogram kit.
A quick search shows Squadron has the Academy 1/48 P-40C in stock & Sprue Brothers has the Trumpeter 1/48 P-40B in stock.
Regards, Rick
thanks so much for the help. Again, this has become my favorite modeling website because of people like you who care. i hope one day to be able to help other fellow modelers with the knowledge i receive here. doc bailey
When one looks at close up photos of the P-40, the raised panel lines and rivets look right. Since the “smooth” flush rivets did not really appear until the next generation of US fighters- Thunderbolt, Lightning, and Mustang.
Yupper…
I have the Academy/HobbyCraft P-40C Tomahawk myself as well but mine is the AVG version. Didn’t know about the Trumpeter kit though.