I just finished building one of these. The cockpit is inaccurate and if I build another I'll add a resin cockpit. Not liking the kit's decal options, I built mine as a Free French example from 1943 Tunisia. All in all, a good kit with zero fit problems, but I had to scrounge propellor decals from a Hasegawa kit.
I could see a big problem with the kit, just looking at the parts. If you compare the Lines of the upper engine cowling in the kit (fore-aft) with the photo the boxart is based on, you will see it too. Because the P-40F & L used a Merlin engine (the reason for the revised nose) the upper cowl has a very much flatter line than there is in the kit. On top of that, one of the problems is that either the spinner in the kit is either a standard P40 spinner or it is too big (I kind of forget which is which & which is wrong.. (Problems with skimming a Hyperscale post, looking for something else!) I gather that someone is doing a 3D print of a corrected nose and a new spinner & propeller, for sale on Ebay, soon.
Yes there are numerous accuracy issues with the kit, I personally think the spinner looks fine once the join line is dealt with, there is scope to sand down the top of the cowling too which improve the overall shape. The cockpit is sparse but I’m sure the aftermarket guys will sort that out. The complete lack of stencils and absolute cock up on the markings and decals is my greatest concern, I’ve ordered a set from kits world. Thanks for watching 👍
You should not go through with your plan for the prop and spinner. There should be a panel line where the two halves of the spinner come together. On the real aircraft, how could you remove or add the propeller?
Unfortunately there shouldn’t, we have the molded in line which is correct but where the two halves meet it should be smooth, the join is around the holes on the kit, see here www.alamy.com/stock-photo-curtiss-p-40e-kittyhawk-plane-warhawk-air-museum-nampa-idaho-95672595.html
Remember this kit represents the "F" which is merlin powered. Well it should be Merlin powered. The version you are citing is the "E". So the spinner/hub assembly may be correct or maybe not. Did the "E" version use a different prop than the "F" . Allison and Merlin have different prop shafts. Trumpeter is very lazy, the 1/32nd P-47 kits all have the same pit. Which the floor did change after D-25, then switches, fuel selectors, ect., etc., the "N" version even had arm rests which Trumpeter was too lazy to replicate. As they say the devil is in the details. Good luck with the P-40!
Quite right it was just a clear picture, here is a better one and of an F model. Thanks for watching 👍 www.worldwarphotos.info/gallery/usa/aircrafts-2-3/p-40-warhawk/p-40f-warhawk-18th-fighter-group/
Very nice level of detail buddy! Don’t think a perfect kit exists mate.Look forward to the build 🍻👍
Nice and big, nice looking aircraft, thanks for the review!...Bill
I just finished building one of these. The cockpit is inaccurate and if I build another I'll add a resin cockpit. Not liking the kit's decal options, I built mine as a Free French example from 1943 Tunisia. All in all, a good kit with zero fit problems, but I had to scrounge propellor decals from a Hasegawa kit.
Big beautiful beast! There's something about the Curtiss P-40....that tell-tale 1930s technology! 😉
P-40F 4114102 was a short tail wearing the boxart colour scheme minus the 209 on the fuselage and with tail number 114102.
Nice. I wish they'd have made the long tail version though.
This kit is a very easy kit... cockpit is not correct, but easy kit for a weekend or two. Great fit
Love the 1/32 stuff. 1/72 is a little small for me
Thanks for the review
I like the box art.
Just bought the kit. When are you publishing your build?
Just about to crack the box, I’ll put multiple part videos up so in a week or so the first part should be up 👍
I could see a big problem with the kit, just looking at the parts. If you compare the Lines of the upper engine cowling in the kit (fore-aft) with the photo the boxart is based on, you will see it too. Because the P-40F & L used a Merlin engine (the reason for the revised nose) the upper cowl has a very much flatter line than there is in the kit. On top of that, one of the problems is that either the spinner in the kit is either a standard P40 spinner or it is too big (I kind of forget which is which & which is wrong.. (Problems with skimming a Hyperscale post, looking for something else!) I gather that someone is doing a 3D print of a corrected nose and a new spinner & propeller, for sale on Ebay, soon.
Yes there are numerous accuracy issues with the kit, I personally think the spinner looks fine once the join line is dealt with, there is scope to sand down the top of the cowling too which improve the overall shape. The cockpit is sparse but I’m sure the aftermarket guys will sort that out. The complete lack of stencils and absolute cock up on the markings and decals is my greatest concern, I’ve ordered a set from kits world. Thanks for watching 👍
You should not go through with your plan for the prop and spinner. There should be a panel line where the two halves of the spinner come together. On the real aircraft, how could you remove or add the propeller?
Unfortunately there shouldn’t, we have the molded in line which is correct but where the two halves meet it should be smooth, the join is around the holes on the kit, see here www.alamy.com/stock-photo-curtiss-p-40e-kittyhawk-plane-warhawk-air-museum-nampa-idaho-95672595.html
Remember this kit represents the "F" which is merlin powered. Well it should be Merlin powered. The version you are citing is the "E". So the spinner/hub assembly may be correct or maybe not. Did the "E" version use a different prop than the "F" . Allison and Merlin have different prop shafts. Trumpeter is very lazy, the 1/32nd P-47 kits all have the same pit. Which the floor did change after D-25, then switches, fuel selectors, ect., etc., the "N" version even had arm rests which Trumpeter was too lazy to replicate. As they say the devil is in the details. Good luck with the P-40!
Quite right it was just a clear picture, here is a better one and of an F model. Thanks for watching 👍 www.worldwarphotos.info/gallery/usa/aircrafts-2-3/p-40-warhawk/p-40f-warhawk-18th-fighter-group/
@@ChampionScaleModelling Yup, Just plane old laziness by Trumpeter
Please build this Kit 👍
The box was opened in anger yesterday 😉
El Tigre is spanish for The tiger
Nice decals. Too bad you can't use any of them
Soon as I saw the box art... also thought it's about 2ft off the ground, too early to bring the undercarriage up.. so it's about to crash 🛬🔥
they lifted gear at 10-15 feet during a scramble