Curtiss Hawk 81 ( P-40 B) Walkways

[Eduardo Soler]

The Curtiss 81 (P 40 B )of the AVG, did they carry Walkways on their wings? Normally they are represented without the walkways, but in a photograph of No. 77 I can see a worn one.( Tigers over China,. Eagle Files, page 78)

[72modeler]

IIRC, the walkways were applied at the factory and I seem to recall reading that they were made of an abrasive material, like sand or silica, mixed with black paint and applied to the desired location. Depending upon wear and abrasion by pilots/maintainers and whether or not the wings were damaged and had to be repainted, the walkways weren't always re-applied. I think maybe our resident Curtiss expert @BS_w would be the man who can answer your query.

Mike

 

See the linked build article that has period photos showing the presence or absence of the walkways- best bet is to try and find a photo of your subject and hope it shows the wing roots!

 

http://www.ratomodeling.com.br/finished/tigerdown/

[BS_w]

on Curtiss H81/P40,B & C, the walkway was Linoleum sheet(Green Aero Floor) bonded to the skin and the edges were secured by metal stripes screwed into the skin.
On british and AVG airplanes the camouflage paint covered the walkways , so it is not easily visible..

 

 

About walkways material:

there were several method
- rubber sheet(Wondergrip) bonded on skin: , D520, MS 406, hawker Typhoon
- carborundum & formica powder bonded: H 75 early, F4U...("brush coat of black walkway cement....sprinkle the wet surface evenly with a full coat of No. 36 Carborundum grit...remove surplus carborundum with 15-20lbs air pressure...seal the grit surface by applying one full spray coat of black walkway cement thinned....
- Linoleum(Green Aero Floor) bonded: P36/H75, H81/87/P 40s...
- Abrasive cloth(Tri-mite) bonded: NA-T6....
- non skid paint(smoother):NA-T6, P 51, P 39...

Edited June 14, 2021 by BS_w