Airfix 1:48 P-40B
This completion dates from November 2020. I really enjoyed the build. The kit has very few vices beyond some fit funkiness in the lower nose section. It's completely OOB except for Eduard PE lap belts. I mixed Testors Zinc Chromate and Black for the interior green. Lower camouflage color is MRP Neutral Gray 43. For the OD I mixed MRP OD 41 and Mr. Color C12 to get close to the OD 41 chip in Archer's book. I also mixed red, royal blue and yellow for the maroon rear prop faces; the base metallic color is Alclad Stainless Steel. The radio antenna wires are invisible thread painted with Testors Metalizer Non-buffing Steel. Decals are from the kit except for the black prop stencils (Airfix only provides yellow) which I laid out and laser printed. Markings are for George Welch's plane at Wheeler Field (Pearl Harbor).
Cheers, Pip
Nice clean build, Pip! I like it!
I'd be interested to hear how you did the black prop blade stencils.
Cheers!
Mike
Thanks for the comment, Mike. I found a close-up photo of a P-40B and was able to read the prop blade stencil:
DVG NO 89301-3
SER NO AC 39-5856
ANGLE HIGH 54.5
ANGLE LOW 24.5
3-23-41
I pulled it into Adobe InDesign, set it in a stencil font, and converted the text to a vector outline drawing. I was then able to resize the whole thing to 3/32" vertical by a little less than 1/4" horizontal. Then I duplicated it a few times and printed it on clear decal paper with a black/white laser printer.
Thanks for the info, Pip. I r-e-a-l-l-y need to learn how to do my own decals.
Very nice build, the overall finish came out great.
Looks great!
An easy way to do US prewar OD-41 is to use RAF Dark Green, since they are the same color, based on the official specification for WW1 PC 10.
Nice work on this and a really superb result.
I think the later model P-40's have a fiercer look with the larger cooler intake under the engine, but have to admit I love these early P-40's and yours looks great. That looks to be a nice kit and you did a really good job on it.
Great job, really enjoyed it.
Really excellent build, Pip!
Amazing attention to detail.
Great achievement, Pip @seawinder
Those stencils look awesome.
Looks great! Nice clean build, and the stencils add a nice detail touch.
Thanks all for the comments. Much appreciated.