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These were done for the P-40 STGB, which was very enjoyable (like all Group Builds!)

I decided to do an Aleutian theme, since I grew up in Alaska and that campaign has always interested me. All of them are 1/72, and the build thread is here.

First up is an Academy 11th FS P-40E Aleutian Tiger. I tried a few modifications in an attempt to correct some of the Academy kit's peculiarities: bulbous spinner, upright canopy and straight spine. The spinner was replaced with the Quickboost resin set, and the canopy was replaced with an AZ one, and the spine was reshaped a little in order to accept the canopy.

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Next is an AZ/Legato Kittyhawk IA of No 111 Sqn RCAF.

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This is a Sword P-40K 'deputized' by 111 Sqn and used by Ken Boomer to score the RCAF's only aerial victory to take place over North America.

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Last up, a Swork P-40K of the USAAF 344th FS based on Shemya Island in 1945.

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Wow! True dedication to such a special theme! 4 different schemes, 2 different air forces, and all for just for one type used on a quite remote wwii theatre. I have to read a bit more about Aleutian campaign.

And of course very well done - weathering effect is especially nice.

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Variations on a theme. Very nice, all of them. As mentioned above, you have that weathering thing down to an art. Well done indeed.

Cheers,

Mike

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Thanks for the kind comments everyone!

Dennis - It was definitely a minor campaign when compared to others during WWII, and the biggest enemy was the weather. Bombers often escorted fighters in this theater, providing better navigation. The best written and exciting thing I've read about the Aleutian campaign is Samuel Morision's account of the Battle of the Komandorskis. It's primarily about a naval surface battle and is fascinating.

PC - I found the Sword kits more difficult than the AZ/Legato too (except for the multi-part radiator inlet modelling nemesis). I can't wait to see your eight Desert Anvils complete!

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Brillianrt little collection. The 111 squadron one LZ-D with Thunderbird motif I've done in 1/48th using the Hasegawa kit and Tally Ho decals. I have another to do with a Sharkmouth and ID 'K' in the same camo and from the last item I have left of the same decal set.

I recall and have a copy in VHS format of the campaign in colour. Forgotten the title but illustrates very well the conditions of the Aleutians.

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Dennis - It was definitely a minor campaign when compared to others during WWII, and the biggest enemy was the weather. Bombers often escorted fighters in this theater, providing better navigation. The best written and exciting thing I've read about the Aleutian campaign is Samuel Morision's account of the Battle of the Komandorskis. It's primarily about a naval surface battle and is fascinating.

Thanks for reading recommendation!

For me the biggest surprise was that the RCAF also fought the severe weather conditions in that campaign. I really love to learn such things.

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very nice set. Ive seen the William Wyler film Report from the Aleutians and of all places that is where weathering will occur.

On a similar theme RS do an Aleutian P38E which i have just seen on ebay. A segment of the film shows a brown drab P38 landing in surface water like a PBY!

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Thanks for the kind comments everyone!

Tony, you've read my mind as the RS P-38E was the inspiration for starting an Aleutian collection, but I feared its complexity until now.

I showed this RFI to a friend of mine who is an artist and Photoshop guru. In a few minutes he came up with these:

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Here's a link to some of his actual work, if you're interested.

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Brilliant work all around on these P-40s! It was really worth the effort.

Me, very impressed!

JR

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