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Tom Bebout
142 articles

1/48 Monogram P-40B

March 26, 2018 · in Aviation · · 41 · 3.2K

Finished this model a couple of weeks ago and just now getting around to posting it. Picked this old kit up at of all places a model train show for $5. After I purchased it wondered what I was going to do with it. Consequently, I purchased a cockpit upgrade from Marks Models, it's a cleaned up version of the Medallion Models upgrades, took a seat from my stash, added some True Detail wheels and parts and pieces from an Iliad decal sheet representing early 's. The paint was from rattle cans and I used AS-12, Bare-metal Silver, and TS-17 Gloss Aluminum. Cockpit was brushed painted with a combination of Model Master acrylic paints.

Antenna wire is nylon thread. I also lightly sanded some of the numerous rivets that are represented all over this model. in trying to make it appear more realistic. The prop was finished in bare medal foil. Still working on perfecting that skill. Markings are of an early P-40, that was unarmed, assigned to the Army Air Corps Technical School,10th Air Base Squadron.

Reader reactions:
8  Awesome

13 additional images. Click to enlarge.


41 responses

  1. Good work, Tom, on an old oldie. Applause to your willingness to take it on.

  2. Wow, outstanding work on an old blue box Monogram !

  3. Good clean build, sir...nice job !

  4. Looks great, Tom! I have the same kit just waiting in my stash. It makes a nice model of a short-tail P-40.

  5. Simple and sublime. So pretty.

  6. Looks Fantastic, Tom! This is one of the first models I built, and you have really done it some justice!

  7. I really like these early P-40's. Yours turned out great!

    The "old" Monogram kit is still pretty good if you add the upgrades like you did. Well done my friend...

    How did you like the Bare Metal Foil on the prop ? I do that quite often now... I use it for the landing gear oleo struts too.

    • Got to keep trying on the foil technique, but it does seem to add to the over all presentation.

      • I'm planning on building a new Airfix P-40 and using bare metal foil to cover the majority of the airframe with. That way it would look like it was highly polished like the very early planes during this time / pre war era were. I have the decals for it and some great reference photos. I like the P-40's and yours is another great example why they're so cool to build. There's a ton of paint schemes for these planes. You could probably build 75 or so planes and still not have two alike.

  8. Tom, way to go !, an old kit, some good add on's, some good o'l building technics and you came up with a very nice looking build. Nicely done !

  9. Hey Tom, Now that is a really nice looking P-40! I've built this kit many times since I was a kid and know the work that goes into making it look this good-thanks for posting it.

  10. Profile Photo
    said on March 27, 2018

    Nice one Tom. I built this kit about thirty years ago and still remember it as a no fuss fun build.

  11. Very nice Tom, how wonderful you gave this kit a second "active" life for 5$! Well done!

  12. Thanks Michel, had fun doing it as well.

  13. Good work, Tom, these old Monogram kits are still popular, and seeing this I can see why.

  14. Tom, great to see one in early markings. Not to mention NMF. To me, this was one of the first serious models Monogram did, moving sway from the "toy" features of their previous output.
    Nicely done! And interestingly, the ongoing competition kits ('til the Airfix recently) all had some flaw(s) or other. Ha!

  15. Nicely done! Unusual to see a Warhawk in pre-war livery. Without war paint (and especially a shark mouth) it just seems a bit tame, yes?

  16. From $5 to priceless! This is lovely Tom. To me it looks more graceful in the metallic finish - less distraction from the 'lines' of a handsome looking aircraft. Great choice of subject and brilliantly done, as ever!

  17. Nice work. Interestingly, the real thing only has flush rivets on the wing leading edge back to the spar. raised rivets everywhere else. That resin set really improves things.

      • This looks exactly like the second P-40B Fighter Rebuilders did, it's now at Duxford with TFC.

        1 attached image. Click to enlarge.

  18. wow, nice work with a vintage classic! Love the paint scheme. Good Job!

  19. Very nice old Monogram kit, in a not very typical color scheme. Great Job!

  20. Thanks Robert it was a fun build.

  21. Great looking kit Tom. A rarity to see an early P-40

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