Trumpeter 1/32
Curtiss P-40B Warhawk
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Background
The P-40 was an evolutionary development from the Curtiss drawing boards
which started with the Model 75. Curtiss' Model 75 created the basic wing
and fuselage that would distinguish this unique family, but equipped with
a radial engine, this prototype would lead to the earlier P-36 Hawk. As
engine technology continued, an Allison V1710 liquid-cooled engine was
mounted on the firewall, and the resulting streamlined cowling led to
the now-familiar P-40 silhouette.
The P-40B was armed with two 50 caliber machine guns in the nose and
four 30 caliber machine guns in the wing (the previous P-40 versions were
armed with two 50s and two 30s). The P-40B also featured improved radio
equipment over its predecessors.
A number of P-40Bs were deployed around the world by the time the Japanese
attack on Pearl Harbor brought the United States into the war. Two of
these aircraft managed to get airborne in the midst of that attack and
were credited with four kills. 110 P-40Bs were delivered to the RAF as
Tomahawk IIAs. The major deficiency in this aircraft was the lack of self-sealing
fuel tanks which would be corrected in the P-40C/Tomahawk IIB. It would
be these later versions that would ultimately equip the American Volunteer
Group, better known as the Flying Tigers.
The Kit
Trumpeter is listening! The changes in this kit are quite impressive.
The problematic ejector pin marks that have plagued some of their kits
are not present in any visible places that I could find save the inside
of the flaps. Perhaps Eduard will release a set of photo-etched flaps
for this kit as they have for many other kits. More importantly, virtually
gone are those photo-etched hinges that have been a trade mark with previous
kits. This model features more conventional plastic tabs to install the
control surfaces. The only exception being a single photo-etched hinge
at the base of the rudder.
The kit is molded in the usual light gray styrene, with only a hint
of flash present on the more complex shapes such as the radiator ducts.
The fit of the fuselage halves is quite nice with no evident need for
filler from what I can see. The lower wing mounts to the fuselage through
an ingenious mounting scheme molded into the fuselage and lower wing,
with just enough play built-in to be able to slide the wing fore and aft
a little to achieve the right fit.
There is a nicely detailed Allison V1710 engine included with the kit,
but in a rare move, there are neither provisions for removable cowl panels
nor a clear nose alternative to show off the engine. Only the upper cowl
panel is molded seperately and will not reveal the beautiful duct work
and plumbing under the engine. On the other hand, with the cowl flaps
wide open, there will be ample detail for the pickiest IPMS judge to see
with his trusty dental mirror and flashlight.
The kit includes two choices for cowl flaps - open and closed. The
open flaps have gaps between the petals (as was previously done on the
recent F4U Corsair kit). In reality, the petals had another layer of petals
that overlapped the first layer, blocking off those gaps between the petals
and creating the increased suction to draw more cooling air through the
cowling, primarily for take-off and climb. The fix for this on both the
P-40 and F4U is very simple - cut some small petals roughly the same size
as the kit's cowl flap petals out of Bare Metal Foil. These will have
the scale thickness as the secondary petals and are very easy to work
with.
There are no provisions for external stores in this kit as external
options were not available until the P-40C.
Markings are included for two examples:
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P-40B, 18th Pursuit Group, US Army
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Tomahawk IIA, RM-E, AH781, 26 Sqn, RAF (though the photo of this
aircraft in Koku Fan shows the registration number as AH791)
Comparison
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Craftworks' P-40B/C
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Trumpeter's P-40B
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Reality
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In Bert Kinzey's P-40 Warhawk In Detail, he held the Craftworks 1/32
P-40B/C resin kit up as accurate down to the smallest detail. I just happened
to have that kit and compared it with the Trumpeter release. The overall
fuselage shape and outline is almost identical, as are the wings. There
are a few minor differences where there would be interpretations in translating
two-dimensional drawings into three-dimensional shapes. As I went through
the two kits, it appeared that Trumpeter nailed this one spot on - then
I spotted a major inconsistency. The shape of the air duct that runs from
inside the cowling down along the bottom of the fuselage was different,
especially around the area of the cowl flaps.
The as the Craftworks duct moves forward toward the cowl flaps, it flares
out to almost the width of the cowling. The Trumpeter duct does not flare
as much and in fact recesses part way down inside the cowling. With the
cowl flaps closed, you'll hardly see the difference, but with the cowl
flaps open, there are some noticeable differences.
I rummaged through my references to see which one is more accurate.
While the drawings in the P-40 in Detail were inconclusive, some good
photos and drawings in both the Walkaround P-40 Warhawk from Squadron/Signal
and the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, Famous Airplanes of the World by Bunrin-Do
show the Trumpeter interpretation to be more accurate. Then in a blinding
flash of the obvious, I remembered taking a shot of that area on a P-40E
and it too supports the Trumpeter shape. Score this one for Trumpeter!
Conclusions
The Trumpeter kit is definitely a beauty. I would have guessed that
there would be a Flying Tiger P-40C in the works given only the need for
an external fuel tank and some cool decals are needed, but there are no
tell-tale flashed-over holes in the wing centerline to hint that such
a kit was intended.
I've read several reviews stating that the decals are a disappointment,
but in reality, this version of the P-40 didn't get that much variety
in colors and markings, though at least one of the Pearl Harbor defenders
might have been nice.
Does this mean you need to dispose of your Craftworks P-40 kits? Absolutely
- send them all to me! You won't find a better detailed kit as the details
have been thoroughly researched. The duct is the only discernable flaw
and parked on the landing gear, that won't even be noticeable. In fact,
the extra parts in my Craftworks kit will help me convert my Trumpeter
kit into a Flying Tigers aircraft, especially with the beautiful decal
sheet that is included in the Craftworks' kit.
With the virtual elimination of those photo-etched hinges, I can easily
recommend this kit to modelers of all skill levels! I can only hope that
this won't be the only version of the P-40 that Trumpeter releases in
this great scale!
My sincere thanks to Stevens International for this review sample!
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