I was at my LHS a couple of months ago and found a Monogram P-40 for less than $10. No big deal, right? The cool thing about this kit is that it is the original release from 1964 still in the original box with the original 60 year old plastic. My first impulse was to save the box and plastic, but I have always been a builder rather than a collector. Models are made to be built. My plan is to build the model and keep the box in my display case. The best of both worlds. The first time I built this model I was a sophomore in high school (Yes, I know, I'm old), and I have probably built it 2 or 3 more times over the years. I want to build this model basically from the box. The decals are shot, so I have gotten some decals that will be appropriate for this model. I may replace the seat and do a little work in the cockpit, but I think I may still put the iconic pilot in the seat. Tomorrow I hope to put on an old t-shirt, put some 1960's music on the tunes, dig out some tube glue, and get started. Should be a fun trip down memory lane.

11 attached images. Click to enlarge.

As a kid the art work sold me on this kit This is when models were made with a slide rule, pencil and a wooden master. Crafts people made this kit. Added bonus the model looked
like the box top. Cheers to memory lane.

"Buzz "gets my vote. He has a flat top and a half chewed cigar.

George, my father flew for the Airforce in
the 50s. In the 60s he flew for the airlines. One of his friends a Marine pilot always had a cigar and wore a flat top when at the house. Long before Belushi. I also ,might have read a few comic books with characters. . .however, Buzz has so much potential.

Hi, Stephen (@stephen-w-towle) and Spiros (@fiveten): Thanks for dropping by. I always like building old kits, especially this one. I still like Buzz for his name, but perhaps "Jake" has some potential. The kit figure is in bad shape, with a large ejector pin mark in the back and the side of his head. I can't quite figure how they got pin marks on 2 sides of his head, but they are deep. I may 3D print a replacement. If I print a pilot, I will have to see which name fits.

You are doing magic on this classic simplistic kit, my friend @gblair! Excellent job!

Thanks, Spiros (@fiveten) and John (@johnb). These kits had very few parts, so it is moving quickly.

Excellent progress, my friend @gblair! I know how ot feels to experience the quadruple PE IP falling off 😬😬.