Hey guys,
I was fiddling around with Academy’s 1/72 scale P-40E Warhawk. I noticed that the rudder, tail flaps, and outer wing flaps are “ribbed” suggesting they were fabric covered. Is this a correct assumption? Just wanted to check before fading the paint for the fabric. Thanks!
Matt
They were in fact fabric covered. Every model of the P-40 had fabric covered flight control surfaces.
You’re correct, the rudder, elevators and ailerons were all fabric covered and painted with dope. After the cloth was applied it was painted with 3 coats of clear, 3 coats of silver (aluminum powder mixed with clear dope) and usually two coats of colored dope. Because of the differences between the formulas for the dope and the formulas of enamels/laquers, the dope tended to weather quicker than the other types of paint.
Does this look somewhat right for the underside? I’m building a 1942 New Guinea based P-40E, and the paint scheme calls for FS 36173 and I used FS 36176 (F-15 Dark Gray) with FS 36231 (Dark Gull Gray) for the undersides of the control surfaces. I intend on drybrushing along the seam lines in a Dark Ghost Gray for highlights…
Looking good, dont forget to put a wash in those seam and hing areas.
Yeah, this is just the first coat on the bottom…I haven’t even started the Armor Sand and Euro I Green camo on top… Did I mention this thing has a 6 1/4" wingspan… Geez, I’m gonna go blind!
Lookin’ good mate. What decals are you going to use, is it an Aussie bird from 75 or 76 Squadron at Port Moresby or Milne Bay?
Cheers…Snowy