Tokyo Raider Posted March 8, 2021 Share Posted March 8, 2021 (edited) Hi Guys... planning my build schedule. I wanted to know your opinions on 1/48 Airfix vs. Bronco P40C... I have both kits. The Bronco looks better in the box, but it has too shallow of a cockpit (not too much issue as i close up canopy) but the canopy shape is not accurate. Airfix looks good, but not the surface detail of the bronco. But how do these kits BUILD? I am trying to decide which to build for an AVG subject. Thanks! Bob Edited March 8, 2021 by Tokyo Raider Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seawinder Posted March 9, 2021 Share Posted March 9, 2021 I had a really enjoyable time building the Airfix P-40B, and I found the detail quite adequate. Can't comment on the Bronco kit as I don't own it. FWIW, pics of my Airfix build here: https://seawinder.smugmug.com/2020-Models/Curtiss-P-40B/ 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VMA131Marine Posted March 9, 2021 Share Posted March 9, 2021 The Bronco P-40 has a shallow cockpit with the cockpit floor being much higher in the fuselage than it should be. In fact, the cockpit floor in p-40s was the upper surface of the wing. This is the same inexplicable error that Trumpeter made. That said, in other respects, the Airfix kit is more accurate and straightforward to build though there is little exterior rivet detail. If you don’t care about the cockpit issue with the Bronco kit, then it can be made into a nice model that at least looks the part externally. For that matter, so can the Trumpeter kit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragonlanceHR Posted March 9, 2021 Share Posted March 9, 2021 If you want a reasonably accurate P-40B go with Airfix. If you want a detailed kit of something that wants to be a P-40B, go with Bronco. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tokyo Raider Posted March 9, 2021 Author Share Posted March 9, 2021 The biggest problem of the Bronco kit for me is the fabric control surfaces are really wavy and not realistic. I love that the Bronco kit has split flaps deployable... i ordered some resin control surfaces for hobbycraft, will see if they can fit on the Bronco p40. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilh Posted March 9, 2021 Share Posted March 9, 2021 Like Seawinder I have only built the Airfix kit, quite recently and recall a joyous build. The nose area is a little fiddly with the multiple inserts but otherwise a really good fit and easy build. Cockpit had a few ejector pin parks in the sidewalls that needed filling but are not easily seen once built. Not sure the P40 was festooned with visible rivets, and the Bronco ones look a bit too prominent to my eye but each to their own. Here is mine finished. https://ipmsavon.org.uk/build-page.php?page_id=118 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k5054nz Posted March 9, 2021 Share Posted March 9, 2021 I found myself actually smiling on multiple occasions as I built the Airfix kit - it was that enjoyable. I was extremely pleased with the end result using kit decals and would happily build another should a subject catch my interest. As a lifelong P-40 fan the short, flat-bottomed cockpits of certain kits kills them for me. Even with a closed cockpit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilh Posted March 10, 2021 Share Posted March 10, 2021 9 hours ago, k5054nz said: I found myself actually smiling on multiple occasions as I built the Airfix kit - it was that enjoyable. I was extremely pleased with the end result using kit decals and would happily build another should a subject catch my interest. As a lifelong P-40 fan the short, flat-bottomed cockpits of certain kits kills them for me. Even with a closed cockpit. Your post reminded me. I also found myself smiling as I built mine. I was also building a Tamiya D520 at the same time and both kits were such a joy after some other "nasty" builds they really lifted my mood. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tokyo Raider Posted March 11, 2021 Author Share Posted March 11, 2021 On 3/10/2021 at 3:33 AM, neilh said: Your post reminded me. I also found myself smiling as I built mine. I was also building a Tamiya D520 at the same time and both kits were such a joy after some other "nasty" builds they really lifted my mood. Thanks guys. I need a smiling build! I am building a tamiya mosquito currently and want to keep smiling... so i will build the airfix p40 next! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PFlint Posted March 15, 2021 Share Posted March 15, 2021 On 3/9/2021 at 12:32 AM, Seawinder said: I had a really enjoyable time building the Airfix P-40B, and I found the detail quite adequate. Can't comment on the Bronco kit as I don't own it. FWIW, pics of my Airfix build here: https://seawinder.smugmug.com/2020-Models/Curtiss-P-40B/ Nice job on that P-40 , Pip ! mine is mostly built with under-surface color and base-coat for top and ready for 2nd layer camo as soon as I whip up some masks. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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