Flying Tigers P-40B/C Hawk-81A2 - AFV Club 1:144

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Flying Tigers P-40B/C

AFV Club 1:144

The American Volunteer Group "Flying Tigers" 1937-1942

In April, 1937, Claire L. Chennault, then a captain in the United States Army Air Corps, retired from active duty and accepted an offer from China for a three month mission to make a confidential survey of the Chinese Air Force. At that time China and Japan were on the verge of war and the fledgling Chinese Air Force was beset by internal problems and torn between American and Italian influence. This was the beginning of Chennault's stay in China which did not terminate until 1945 at the close of World War II. Chennault's combat and other experiences between 1937 and 1941 in China laid the ground work for the organization of the American Volunteer Group (AVG) in 1941 which consisted of volunteer pilots and ground crew; from the U.S. Army Air Corps, U.S. Navy and U.S. Marines (note - these airmen had to resign from the U.S. Forces and were then employed by China into the Chinese Air Force as civilians). By the time of America's entry into the war in early December 1941, the AVG's personnel, with 100 Curtiss P-40B Warhawk aircraft had been formed into three combat squadrons. These Warhawks were part of an order that had initially been placed for the Royal Air Force; however, the RAF considered the P-40B to be obsolescent and an agreement was made for the P-40B's to go to China and the RAF to get later model P-40D variants.

The Flying Tigers' role was a very short-lived one (although their name and feats were used and re-used throughout the war), lasting from only December 1941 until 4th July 1942 when they were disbanded and replaced by the China Air Task Force of the United States Army Air Forces. During this short period, the AVG


The Kit

There are only two sprues to be found within this package. The main sprue, in a light olive green plastic, holds all (ten) of the main components of the model except the canopy. The second sprue is in clear plastic and holds a single canopy piece. These are enclosed in a clear plastic bag that is attached to a card backing; on which is printed the assembly instructions on one side, plus a painting and marking guide on the other side.

There is no cockpit detail whatsoever, with just and open area but I would envisage that some aftermarket producer; perhaps Brengun or Retrowings, might produce a detail set sometime in the future? One can hope. The large air intake, situated under the nose of the fuselage, is closed although it shouldn't take more than a couple of drill holes and some cutting to open out the fairing.

Detail on the kit, in terms of panel lines, ailerons and fuel/ammunition covers etc. is good but fine; therefore care should be taken when painting, especially if brush painting as these areas could be lost under layers of primer and topcoats. There are a couple of sink-holes on the upper wings, one on each close to where the wing attaches to the fuselage. There is one small aspect of the kit's production which is unusual and that is the model has a pair of mainwheels, for a wheels-down setting, but the tailwheel is fitted into the fuselage in the raised position. This means that a tail-wheel will need to be crafted by the modeller if they wish to depict the aircraft on the ground.

The canopy is a single piece casting and looks to be simple but nicely detailed. The canopy frames are so narrow that only with real care and masking would prevent slipping onto the clear glass when painting. Don't let that put anyone off though, the frames do look correctly proportioned; it is just the diminutive size of this model that may cause concern on painting and detailing.

Decals

The decals provided for this kit are produced in Taiwan, although I have seen a set on-line (kit No. AR 14401) which are produced in Italy, possibly by Cartograf?. The set with this kit is not to the standard of the Italian set (this kit is actually marked AR 144S01) and only comes with enough decals for a single aircraft; that of code 68 of the 3rd Pursuit Squadron "Hells Angels" of the American Volunteer Group and piloted by Charles H. Older. You will have to trust me when I state that there are two 68's on the sheet below. The white of the decals matches the background causing them to blend.

Colour details are provided on the back of the card packaging FS specifications with matching details for Hobby Color and Mr Color paints.

Conclusion

I would describe this kit as a simple affair that will not take much effort to assemble into a decent but basic model of the Hawk 81A2/P-40B Warhawk; however, having said that, I think this kit is a good foundation to build a better model. The cockpit area could be built up and enhanced with some plastic sheet and then painted; plus the intake could be hollowed out, providing a little more detail etc. The detail is good and, with the addition of camouflage and the decals, this should build into a nice addition to the WW2 family of fighter aircraft in 1:144 scale.

Review sample courtesy of
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