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Author Topic: Curtiss P-40A Retrohawk  (Read 7678 times)

Offline KiwiZac

  • The Modeller Formerly Known As K5054NZ
Curtiss P-40A Retrohawk
« 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.

Behold: the (backstory-less) Curtiss P-40A Retrohawk!
Hobby Boss 1/72 Retrohawk by Zac Yates, on Flickr
Hobby Boss 1/72 Retrohawk by Zac Yates, on Flickr
Hobby Boss 1/72 Retrohawk by Zac Yates, on Flickr
Hobby Boss 1/72 Retrohawk by Zac Yates, on Flickr
Hobby Boss 1/72 Retrohawk by Zac Yates, on Flickr
Hobby Boss 1/72 Retrohawk by Zac Yates, on Flickr
Hobby Boss 1/72 Retrohawk by Zac Yates, 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!
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Zac in NZ
#avgeek, modelbuilder, photographer, writer. Callsign: "HANDBAG"
https://linktr.ee/zacyates

Offline Kerick

  • Reportedly finished with a stripper...
Re: Curtiss P-40A Retrohawk
« Reply #1 on: January 15, 2020, 08:14:52 PM »
Well done!!
I love the old blue and yellow paint scheme
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Offline Old Wombat

  • "We'll see when I've finished whether I'm showing off or simply embarrassing myself."
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Re: Curtiss P-40A Retrohawk
« Reply #2 on: January 15, 2020, 09:24:07 PM »
Nice role for a simple little kit. Well done, Zac! :smiley: 8)
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Offline Frank3k

  • Excession
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Re: Curtiss P-40A Retrohawk
« Reply #3 on: January 16, 2020, 12:28:29 AM »
Nicely done! It looks like a natural evolution from the XP-31
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Offline elmayerle

  • Its about time there was an Avatar shown here...
  • Über Engineer...at least that is what he tells us.
Re: Curtiss P-40A Retrohawk
« Reply #4 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.
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Offline apophenia

  • Perversely enjoys removing backgrounds.
  • Patterns? What patterns?
Re: Curtiss P-40A Retrohawk
« Reply #5 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:
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Offline Brian da Basher

  • He has an unnatural attraction to Spats...and a growing fascination with airships!
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Re: Curtiss P-40A Retrohawk
« Reply #6 on: January 16, 2020, 04:05:53 AM »
Very nice Zac  The landing gear is especially smart.
:smiley: :smiley: :smiley:
Brian da Basher
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Offline KiwiZac

  • The Modeller Formerly Known As K5054NZ
Re: Curtiss P-40A Retrohawk
« Reply #7 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!

Quote from: 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
I was thinking of you the whole time I was working on this one  8)
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Zac in NZ
#avgeek, modelbuilder, photographer, writer. Callsign: "HANDBAG"
https://linktr.ee/zacyates

Offline FAAMAN

  • 'bin building for years ....... and it feels it!
  • Always thought of himself as a 'straight' modeller
Re: Curtiss P-40A Retrohawk
« Reply #8 on: January 16, 2020, 03:25:33 PM »
Brilliant work  ;) 8)
That'a huge air brake, err . . . radiator you've got there  :-[
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Offline Camthalion

  • The man has done a pink tank...need we say more?!
Re: Curtiss P-40A Retrohawk
« Reply #9 on: January 16, 2020, 05:54:28 PM »
Awesome.  Looks great
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