AMTECH P-40L-5, Long tail
Amtech P-40L-5 of the 79th Fighter Group in Mediterranean Theater markings ca late 1943, most likely in Sicily. I like the USAAF aircraft in the RAF-style camo (Dark Earth, Midstone, Azure), and British fin flash obscuring the serial number. It's a great look. This aircraft was later painted in a non-standard dark green camo on the fuselage by it's pilot (Lt Erwin R Silsbee) while in Italy (mainland).
On this version, I like the Operation Torch (Nov 42) fuselage star with yellow surround combined with the mid-43 red surround on the wing stars and white bars.
This aircraft and it's gallant pilots did great service against more advanced Bf-109F and G models and eventually won the war of attrition to gain air superiority over Tunisia, Sardinia, Sicily and Italy.
I vote 'two thumbs up' on Amtech P-40s.
8 additional images. Click to enlarge.
David Mills said on January 24, 2021
Nice work Bob - P-40's always look good and these merlin engined birds look great in this scheme.
The mix of US and British markings add to it as well.
Robert Royes said on January 24, 2021
Nicely done, I agree the mix of markings make it an interesting scheme.
John Healy said on January 24, 2021
Nice work, Bob. Mediterranean theater P-40s (as well as Spitfires and Hurricanes), are a treasure trove of interesting schemes.
Bill Koppos said on January 24, 2021
Aint she sweet. nice job on that ol' Amtech. Med F's are nice looking birds all right.
Louis Gardner said on January 25, 2021
I have built up two of these AmTech P-40's...they build up nicely, and they look especially good to me. You did a fantastic job with yours. Too bad the company is not around anymore, but you can still find these kits at swap meets or online auctions.
You can easily find a lot of different paint schemes for the P-40, ranging from a bare metal finish, to what you have done here with your build and a desert finish, or anything in between. There are only a few other planes that could fall into this category of wearing a multitude of color schemes. Planes like the Spitfire, Bf-109 and Fw-190... but the P-40 wears a shark mouth the best in my humble opinion.
My very first plastic model, which I built when I was 8 years old, was the "original" release of the 1/32 scale Revell P-40E "Flying Tiger". I have had a soft spot in my heart for the plane every since then...
Well done my friend.
John vd Biggelaar said on January 25, 2021
A realy gem, Bob.
That mediterranean looks great on your P40.
Well done.
Spiros Pendedekas said on January 25, 2021
Those mixed insignia are absolutely cool!
You did a splendid job on this late P-40, Bob!
The Merlin P-40s are said to be very good planes...
Thanks for sharing!
Tom Bebout said on January 25, 2021
Ah, a P-40 in desert camouflage, what's not to like. Nicely done Bob.
Greg Kittinger said on January 25, 2021
Yep - love everything about this - the fact that it's a P-40, the mixed markings, the RAF scheme (love desert schemes anyway). I'm going to have to do something like this in 1/72!
DE4EVER said on January 26, 2021
π ... Greetings ... π :
Nice P-40 Bob, always a good sight, a desert camouflage on a War Hawk.