Beyond The Sprues

Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Aero-space => Topic started by: KiwiZac on January 15, 2020, 07:35:45 PM

Title: Curtiss P-40A Retrohawk
Post by: KiwiZac on January 15, 2020, 07:35:45 PM
Hi all,
This is another one that's been on my mind for some time, waiting for a model to come into my possession to allow me to do it. I was thinking I'd quite like to use the new-tool Airfix 1/72 kit. Then a care package from Old Wombat appears which has this kit, as well as the Hobby Boss version. After fondling the Airfix kit (steady!) and cutting the intake lip, I came to my senses and used the Hobby Boss kit for a project inspired by the real-world Curtiss XP-31 Swift (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curtiss_XP-31_Swift).

Behold: the (backstory-less) Curtiss P-40A Retrohawk!
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49382874971_beb52ef1c9_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2ieN9fP)Hobby Boss 1/72 Retrohawk (https://flic.kr/p/2ieN9fP) by Zac Yates (https://www.flickr.com/photos/83399146@N05/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49383029972_4bf0dfc853_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2ieNWkf)Hobby Boss 1/72 Retrohawk (https://flic.kr/p/2ieNWkf) by Zac Yates (https://www.flickr.com/photos/83399146@N05/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49383069427_7357b40dd5_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2ieP94v)Hobby Boss 1/72 Retrohawk (https://flic.kr/p/2ieP94v) by Zac Yates (https://www.flickr.com/photos/83399146@N05/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49382410948_7905894e0b_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2ieKLjq)Hobby Boss 1/72 Retrohawk (https://flic.kr/p/2ieKLjq) by Zac Yates (https://www.flickr.com/photos/83399146@N05/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49383069507_d2ecb7967b_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2ieP95T)Hobby Boss 1/72 Retrohawk (https://flic.kr/p/2ieP95T) by Zac Yates (https://www.flickr.com/photos/83399146@N05/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49382875031_8bd4b74372_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2ieN9gR)Hobby Boss 1/72 Retrohawk (https://flic.kr/p/2ieN9gR) by Zac Yates (https://www.flickr.com/photos/83399146@N05/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49382875046_c0fe5a20fe_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2ieN9h7)Hobby Boss 1/72 Retrohawk (https://flic.kr/p/2ieN9h7) by Zac Yates (https://www.flickr.com/photos/83399146@N05/), on Flickr

As well as the Hobby Boss kit I used Monogram 1/72 P-36 decals for the roundels, Academy 1/48 P-38 decals for the US ARMY, Airfix 1/72 P-40B/C decals for the fuel tanks (which I realised, when reattaching the wing gun barrels, are in a very silly place!), radiator core from an Airfix 1/72 P-51D with fairing made from blister pack, and the spats came from a long-dead Henschel Hs.126. Aerial masts and struts came from my spares box.

I hope you enjoy it!
Title: Re: Curtiss P-40A Retrohawk
Post by: Kerick on January 15, 2020, 08:14:52 PM
Well done!!
I love the old blue and yellow paint scheme
Title: Re: Curtiss P-40A Retrohawk
Post by: Old Wombat on January 15, 2020, 09:24:07 PM
Nice role for a simple little kit. Well done, Zac! :smiley: 8)
Title: Re: Curtiss P-40A Retrohawk
Post by: Frank3k on January 16, 2020, 12:28:29 AM
Nicely done! It looks like a natural evolution from the XP-31
Title: Re: Curtiss P-40A Retrohawk
Post by: elmayerle on January 16, 2020, 12:51:34 AM
beautiful!!  Looks like the "missing link" between the XP-31 and the P-36/P-40 family.
Title: Re: Curtiss P-40A Retrohawk
Post by: apophenia on January 16, 2020, 03:49:15 AM
Oh that is lovely 'Zac! The Air Corps' yellow-and-blue scheme gives you instant retro but the wire-braced tail and jumbo, P-26-style antenna mast really add that early '30s flavour.

As Evan said, it looks the perfect 'missing link' but much more businesslike than the Swift (the Curtiss-powered XP-31 looked 'perky', your P-40A is more no-nonsense). Very nice  :smiley:
Title: Re: Curtiss P-40A Retrohawk
Post by: Brian da Basher on January 16, 2020, 04:05:53 AM
Very nice Zac  The landing gear is especially smart.
:smiley: :smiley: :smiley:
Brian da Basher
Title: Re: Curtiss P-40A Retrohawk
Post by: KiwiZac on January 16, 2020, 03:14:56 PM
Thank you very much, all! I had a blast doing this one, although trying to lessen the wing’s dihedral was tough. I thought some kind of mid-point between XP-31 and P-36 would be worth investigating as the real deal was such a leap (YP-37 notwithstanding). It means a lot to have such positive comments!

Very nice Zac  The landing gear is especially smart.
:smiley: :smiley: :smiley:
Brian da Basher
I was thinking of you the whole time I was working on this one  8)
Title: Re: Curtiss P-40A Retrohawk
Post by: FAAMAN on January 16, 2020, 03:25:33 PM
Brilliant work  ;) 8)
That'a huge air brake, err . . . radiator you've got there  :-[
Title: Re: Curtiss P-40A Retrohawk
Post by: Camthalion on January 16, 2020, 05:54:28 PM
Awesome.  Looks great