Curtiss P40 - Raul Hrubisko - next series - 1/72 scale

[diamant]

Hi to all

I would like to share with you our next project. I am very excited about it since it will be the third larger series of our collection.

For many years we have been thinking with my father about starting this series but never decided.  We bought many kits during the previous years given a final number of 37. After doing 62 North American P51 Mustang we knew that the final number would be higher.

I have started to look up information in our few references in march 2021 when I came across Buz Craig and Carl Vincent. They have helped me in a way that exceeded my expectations.
They have been sharing their knowledge with us with a lot of patients on a daily basis. I do not have enough words to thank them.

I hope that the result of this series that we are about to start matches their expectations too.

As I did in similar previous projects. I have done a folder with a summary of each aircraft with all the related photos. This makes the building process easier and reduces the number of mistakes.

This is the list of the kits that we already have among that the decals sheets that I was able to get.

 

 

This is the list of aircraft that we are going to include 

  Mark REFERENCE Serial code letter Squadron Pilot Place Time

1 RAF Tomahawk I Tomahawk BK853 - AAE&E UK 1-nov-40
2 RAF Tomahawk I Tomahawk AH767 - 400 RCAF UK
3 RAF Tomahawk I Tomahawk AH771 - 400 RCAF UK 1-oct-41
4 RAF Tomahawk I Tomahawk AH860 RM-F 26 Gravesend 1941
5 RAF Tomahawk IA Tomahawk AH973 - 1940
6 RAF Tomahawk IIA Tomahawk AH893 RM-D 26 UK June/July 1941
7 RAF Tomahawk IIA Tomahawk AH830 RM-A 26 UK
8 RAF Tomahawk IIA Tomahawk AH903 RU-Z 414 RCAF UK
9 RAF Tomahawk IIA Tomahawk AH895 SP-B 400 RCAF UK 1-ago-41
10 RAF Tomahawk IIA Tomahawk AH945 XV-W 2 RAF 1-sep-41
11 Desert Tomahawk Iib Tomahawk AK367 C Fayid Airfield septembre 1941
12 Desert Tomahawk IIB Tomahawk AK490 Amriya septembre 1941
13 RAF Tomahawk IA Tomahawk AH852 0 414 RCAF UK 1-mar-43
14 RAF Tomahawk IIA Tomahawk AH899 PB-F 1683 Bomber defense Training Flight Market Harborough 1-may-44
15 RAF Tomahawk IIB Tomahawk AK184 at Hamble, Hampshire 1943-1944
16 RAF Tomahawk IIB Tomahawk AK122 BT-H 1686 FLT 1944
17 SAAF Tomahawk Iib Tomahawk AK431 ED 73 OTU Libia 1942
18 SAAF Tomahawk Iib Tomahawk AN311 TA-C 2 SAAF 1-nov-41
19 RCAF P40 H-87A-3 P40 E 1071 A 14 Squadron Umnak Island summer of 1943
20 RCAF P40 H-87A-3 P40 E AK857 VW-H 118 Squadron RCAF Annette Island, Alaska October 18, 1942 but not before June 21, 1942
21 RCAF P40 H-87A-3 P40 E 1052 D 111 Squadron RCAF Umnak Island May 2 to June 12, 1943
22 RCAF P40 H-87A-3 P40 E AL194 V 111 Squadron RCAF Fort Greely, Kodiak Island, Alaska 19-abr-43
23 RCAF P40 H-87A-3 P40 E AK815 VW-T 118 Squadron RCAF Annette Island, Alaska October 18, 1942 but not before June 21, 1942
24 RCAF P40 H-87A-2/3 P40 E AK940 LZ  E 111 Squadron RCAF mountains of Alaska. Summer 1942
25 RCAF P40 H-87A-3 P40 E 729 C 1944
26 RCAF H-87A-2CU P40 E 1076
27 RCAF P-40 E P40 E 1057 B 132 Canada 1943
28 RAF Kittyhawk Mk I P40 E AK571 - 23-abr-05
29 RAF Kittyhawk Mk I P40 E AL229 - AAE&E Uk 1-abr-42
30 RAF Kittyhawk II (P-40F-CU) P40 F FL220 Uk 1-ago-42
31 RNZAF Kittyhawk Mk I (P-40E-1) P40 E ET604 No Code nil Hobsonville late May/Jun 1942
32 RNZAF Kittyhawk Mk I (P-40E-1) P40 E NZ3008 14 SQN RNZAF
33 RNZAF Kittyhawk Mk I (P-40E-1) P40 E NZ3027 FE-V 10 January 1944.
34 RNZAF Kittyhawk Mk I (P-40E-1) P40 E NZ3036 HQ-Q
35 RNZAF Kittyhawk Mk I (P-40E-1) P40 E NZ3038 JZ-A 15 Howick 1943
36 RNZAF Kittyhawk Mk I (P-40E-1) P40 E NZ3043 FE-B 2 FOTU 1/01/1944 (with 2 FOTU for sometime)
37 RNZAF P-40E-1 ex 68FS P40 E NZ3094 Servicing Unit, New Georgia
38 Desert H-87A-2CU Kittyhawk I P40 E AK673 GA-F Gazala 2 Februrary 1942
39 Desert H-87A-2CU Kittyhawk I P40 E AK739 FZ-R 94 20-mar-42
40 Desert H-87A-2CU Kittyhawk I P40 E AK919 LD-B 250 Sqdn. Ldr M.T. Judd 1-ago-42
41 Desert H-87A-2CU Kittyhawk I P40 E AK961 CV-0 3 RAAF Squadron Amartya, Egipt 1942
42 Desert P-40E-1CU (Kittyhawk Ia) P40 E ET789 GA-G 112 RAF
43 Desert H-87A-2CU Kittyhawk I P40 E ET611 North Africa 1-jul-42
44 Desert P-40E-1CU (Kittyhawk Ia P40 E ET790 GA-? 112 RAF Sqdn. Ldr Billy Drake El Daba 1-jul-42
45 Desert P-40E-1CU Kittyhawk Ia P40 E ET953 CV-V 3 RAAF Squadron
46 Italy H-87A-3CU P40 E AK886 OK-R 450 RAAF late Jul 1942
47 SAAF H-87A-2CU Kittyhawk I P40 E AK702 KJ-J 4 SAAF F/O W.P. Pictorius Feb and April 1943
48 SAAF H-87A-2CU Kittyhawk I P40 E AK840 DB-K 2 SAAF Jul/Aug 1942
49 RAAF P-40E-1 P40 E A29-118 FA 82 Squadron Bankstown late 1943
50 RAAF P-40E1 P40 E A29-83 2 OTU
51 RAAF P-40E1 P40 E A29-148 76 Squadron Flt John Meehan sep-42
52 RAAF P-40E1 P40 E A29-75 76 Squadron 1942
53 RAAF P40 E P40 E A29-78
54 RAAF P40 E P40 E A29-82
55 RAAF P-40 E-1a P40 E A29-85 CD-E 2 OTU Mildura 1-ene-45
56 RAAF P-40E1 P40 E A29-129 2 OTU 1942
57 RAAF P-40 E P40 E A29-133 FA-B 82 Squadron Bankstown oct-43
58 RAAF P-40 E P40 E A29-806 AM-V 77 Squadron 1944
59 Desert P-40F-CU (Short tailed merlin powered) P40 F FL234 HS-A 260 SQN
60 Desert H-87A-2CU Kittyhawk I (fin fillet) P40 K short tail EV322 CV-I 3 RAAF Squadron
61 RCAF P40 K-1-CU  Mark III (Short tail) P40 K short tail 245945 F 111 Squadron RCAF Elmendorf Air Base 3-sep-42
62 RCAF P40 K-1-CU  Mark III  (Short tail) P40 K short tail 246004 S 111 Squadron RCAF Amchitka Island summer/ fall of 1942\
63 RCAF P40 K-1-CU  Mark III (Short tail) P40 K short tail 245951 A 111 Squadron RCAF Amchitka Island summer/ fall of 1942\
64 RCAF P40 K-1-CU  Mark III (Short tail) P40 K short tail 245954 G 111 Squadron RCAF Amchitka Island summer/ fall of 1942\
65 Desert Kittyhawk III (P-40K-1CU) (Short tail) P40 K short tail FR241 LD-R 250 SQN
66 Desert Kittyhawk III (P-40K-1CU) (Short Tail) P40 K short tail FR338 GA-? 112 RAF
67 RAF P40 K (Short Tail) P40 K short tail FL891 8
68 SAAF P-40E-1 (fin fillet) P40 K short tail EV421 DB-H 2 SAAF
69 RAAF P-40 K (Long tail) P40 K long tail A29-182 AM-C 77 Squadron New Guinea 1943
70 Italy P-40 K (Long tail) P40 K long tail FR507 OK-REB 450 RAAF R.E.Bary Grottaglie Italy 4th October 1943
71 RAAF P-40M-1CU  (Long tail) P40 K long tail A29-302 86 Auguts 1943
72 RNZAF Kittyhawk Mk I (P-40K-15)  (Long tail) P40 K long tail NZ3050 HQ Gunnery Training school Ohakea 1944
73 RNZAF Kittyhawk Mk I (P-40K-15CU)  (Long tail) P40 K long tail NZ3060 9 14 Guadalcanal 1-jun-43
74 Italy P-40L-5CU P40 L FS490 BAE 3 RAAF Squadron WGCDR Brain Eaton Italy
75 RAF P-40L-5CU P40 L FS452 5 Takoradi
76 RCAF P40 M-10 P40 M 837
77 RCAF P40 N-1 P40 M 851 Dartmouth, Canada early 1945
78 RCAF P40 N-1 P40 M 855 F 133 Patricia Bay 1944
79 RCAF P40 N-1 P40 M 831 C 132
80 SAAF P40 N-1 P40 M 5055 D
81 Italy P40 M-5 P40 M FR806 GA-Q 112 RAF
82 Italy P40 N-1 P40 M FT859 OK-L 450 RAAF S/Ldr. Jack Doyle Fano 1945
83 RAAF P40 N-1 P40 M A29-495 Piva North sep-45
84 RNZAF P40 M-5 P40 M NZ3067 FE-H 67
85 RNZAF P40 M-5 P40 M NZ3070 14 RNZAF Station, Whenuapa
86 RNZAF P40 M-10 P40 M NZ3118 14 Kukum Field, Gudalacanal 1-jul-43
87 RNZAF P40 M-10 P40 M NZ3119
88 RNZAF P40 N-1 P40 M NZ3121 4 Servicing unit Ondonga, New Georgia
89 RAAF P40 M-5 P40 M A29-323 SV-F 76 Squadron Momote, Los negos abr-44
90 RAAF P40 M-5 P40 M A29-357 SV-H 76 Squadron
91 RAAF P40 N-1 P40 M A29-412 5 squadron Piva sep-45
92 RCAF P40 N-20 P40 N 867 PN 5 OTU RCAF Boundary Bay, British Columbia late 1944
93 RCAF P40 N-20 P40 N 877 T 132 Western Air Command RCAF Tofino, British Columbia early 1944
94 RAF P 40N P40 N FX594 - Uk
95 SAAF P40 N-5 P40 N 5077 R 11 OTU Isipingo 24-3-44
96 SAAF P40 N-5 P40 N B 11 OTU
97 Italy P40 N-5 P40 N FT943 OK-R 450 RAAF F. Lt. Ray Goldberg Cutella Feb. 1944
98 Italy P40 N-5 P40 N FX515 OK-K 450 RAAF San Angelo May. 1944
99 Italy P40 N-20 P40 N FT928 OK-L 450 RAAF S/Ldr. Jack Doyle Cervia 1945
100 Italy P40 N-20 P40 N FX666 CV-Z 3 RAAF Squadron late 1944
101 Italy P40 N-20 P40 N FX660 CV-W 3 RAAF Squadron late 1944
102 RNZAF P40 N-20 P40 N NZ3253 T -29 4 FOTU
103 RNZAF P40 N-20 P40 N NZ3267 45 Ardmore 1945
104 RNZAF P40 N-25 P40 N NZ3283 Nil code 4 FOTU New Zealand 1945
105 RAAF P40 N-5 P40 N A29-531 2 OTU Oakey 1945
106 RAAF P40 N-20 P40 N A29-650
107 RAAF P40 N-40 P40 N A29-1208 3 AD Amberley 1945
108 RAAF P-40N-15 P40 N A29-558 HU-N Morotai ene-45
109 RAAF P-40N-35 P40 N A29-1005 GA-f 75 Squadron Circa abr-05
110 RAAF P-40N-30 P40 N A29-915 FA-diamont 82 Squadron F/Lt F,Schaaf Labuan sep-45

111 RAAF P-40N-40 P40 N A29-1140 SV-T 76 Squadron 1945.

I will post the building process soon.

The first batch will include the following models.

 

1 RAF Tomahawk I Tomahawk BK853 - AAE&E UK 1-nov-40

2 RAF Tomahawk I Tomahawk AH767 - 400 RCAF UK
3 RAF Tomahawk I Tomahawk AH771 - 400 RCAF UK 1-oct-41
4 RAF Tomahawk I Tomahawk AH860 RM-F 26 Gravesend 1941  

 

Cheers

Santiago

Edited November 13, 2021 by diamant
Correct typo mistakes. Sorry

[Beard]

A hundred and one P-40s, blimey.

[janneman36]

And I thought I was getting out of line with my 10 Bf109E’s 😆

Interesting project 👍

 

cheers, Jan

[Marklo]

I’ve built one. I am in the process of building 16 me109s and that’s felt like an epic and I’m running out of shelf space. I just can’t imagine what 111 of anything would be like. However I’ll wish you luck and Will enjoy seeing this epic build unveil.

Edited November 13, 2021 by Marklo

[Bertie McBoatface]

One hundred and eleven P-40s. It's a good number, easy to remember. Three times thirty-seven. It's clearly the right number to pick. Lol.

 

If I tried a project like that, I would fail in a month but I know that you and your dad will handle it well. I admire your joint dedication, and the closeness that you obviously have in your family. I wish you good fortune in this epic and look forward to seeing them all completed. 

 

How long do you expect to take? I guess ten months. Am I even close?

[Bertie McBoatface]

Maybe one day I'll do something like this. Perhaps 12, a squadron of something. You have made me curious to know whether I could stay interested for long enough.

[LDSModeller]

1 hour ago, diamant said:

31 RNZAF Kittyhawk Mk I (P-40E-1) P40 E ET604 No Code nil Hobsonville late May/Jun 1942
32 RNZAF Kittyhawk Mk I (P-40E-1) P40 E NZ3008 14 SQN RNZAF
33 RNZAF Kittyhawk Mk I (P-40E-1) P40 E NZ3027 FE-V 10 January 1944.
34 RNZAF Kittyhawk Mk I (P-40E-1) P40 E NZ3036 HQ-Q
35 RNZAF Kittyhawk Mk I (P-40E-1) P40 E NZ3038 JZ-A 15 Howick 1943
36 RNZAF Kittyhawk Mk I (P-40E-1) P40 E NZ3043 FE-B 2 FOTU 1/01/1944 (with 2 FOTU for sometime)
37 RNZAF P-40E-1 ex 68FS P40 E NZ3094 Servicing Unit, New Georgia

Hi Santiago

Some comments on the RNZAF P40 Information above

 

ET604 - NZ3012 (Codes FE-G)- I'm quite sure this photo was taken after her assembly at Hobsonville by

Unit 36 ( A Servicing Unit) at RNZAF Station Hobsonville. This photo will be most likely a test flight before

being assigned to 2 (F) OTU Ohakea

(RNZAF Official - RNZAF Museum of New Zealand Used with Permissions)

 

NZ3008/NZ3036 - HQ-B/HQ-Q

FYI - there are Decals sheets/Websites that will state the Aircraft codes are Yellow

The Codes Not Yellow but Sky - The Yellow Codes were for the RNZAF Gunnery School at Ohakea

Note also NZ3036 as in this photo has had a version of the RNZAF Pacific Scheme applied

NZ Sea Blue Grey/NZ Dark Green (Humbrol 3 best match) with original DuPont Sky lower.

The upper Wing Roundels on NZ3036 are the newer Pacific Roundel - newly found photo,

shows NZ3036 wearing the original lower wing Roundel, not the Pacific Roundel

FYI I have both NZ3008/NZ3036 as builds underway (slowly)

(RNZAF Official - RNZAF Museum of New Zealand Used with Permissions)

 

P40E-1 NZ3038 - JZ-A

I have a feeling that the "Howick" was taken from an RNZAF Photo caption that

NZ3038 was flying over Howick (Eastern Suburb of Auckland).

NZ3038 was with 15 (F) Squadron based at Whenuapai (West Auckland)

(RNZAF Official - RNZAF Museum of New Zealand Used with Permissions)

 

NZ3094 One of the "Tongan" P40E-1's taken on Charge by RNZAF 15 Sqn Oct 1942 in Tonga

NZ3094 also served at Fiji - Most likely in a Night Fighter role, as these "Tongan" P40E-1's

had a Night Fighting Panel (at the request of the US Command Pacific).

I have seen the Internal cockpit colour for NZ3094, and it's a Blue/Green colour, similar

to this paint mix (by me) below

 

When NZ3094 arrived in New Zealand (Still wearing her Original Camo scheme), she was assigned to

the Gunnery School at Ohakea with Codes HQ-C - It's very likely NZ3094 was repainted in NZ Foligae

Green/NZ Sky Grey before/after assignment to the Gunnery School

 

1 hour ago, diamant said:

72 RNZAF Kittyhawk Mk I (P-40K-15)  (Long tail) P40 K long tail NZ3050 HQ Gunnery Training school Ohakea 1944

 

NZ3050 - per the ADF Serials (which are pretty accurate) never served with the Gunnery School at Ohakea.

It suffered engine failure/fire at Kukum (Guadalcanal) and crashed into the sea.

It was one of the first P40K's sent to the forward area, so will have worn a version of

the RNZAF Pacific scheme (re-Painted prior to departure to forward area) of

NZ Sea Blue Grey/Olive Drab/NZ Sky Grey as seen in this RNZAF photo

(RNZAF Official - RNZAF Museum of New Zealand Used with Permissions)

 

Look forward to your RNZAF Builds

 

Regards

 

Alan

[k5054nz]

I am a lifelong P-40 fan and this is tremendously exciting (thank you Alan for helping with the RNZAF details).

 

But I feel I need to ask...why none of the XP-40Qs? 

[Buz]

2 hours ago, k5054nz said:

I am a lifelong P-40 fan and this is tremendously exciting (thank you Alan for helping with the RNZAF details).

 

But I feel I need to ask...why none of the XP-40Qs? 

If you note there's no US markings in the list, hence no Q model.

 

Buz

[alt-92]

Sooo.... that's another 30 or so to be added later? 

ok ok I'll get me 

[diamant]

Thank you very much for your comemnts. I am glad that you like this project.

 

What I like about this type of series is that allow me to realize how important an aicraft was and the number of diferent places it was used.

 

Quote

One hundred and eleven P-40s. It's a good number, easy to remember. Three times thirty-seven. It's clearly the right number to pick. Lol.

You got it!!!

 

 

18 hours ago, Bertie Psmith said:

How long do you expect to take? I guess ten months. Am I even close?

Hi. Yes, probably it will take 10 months to my father building all this kits. We have to check and talk to our friend Luis to do some special decals which would take also some time.

 

 

18 hours ago, Bertie Psmith said:

I admire your joint dedication, and the closeness that you obviously have in your family. I wish you good fortune in this epic and look forward to seeing them all completed. 

Thank you very much. Yes, I really appreciate what I have and share with my Father. We have fun doing this although sometimes looks quite crazy.

 

18 hours ago, Bertie Psmith said:

Maybe one day I'll do something like this. Perhaps 12, a squadron of something

That sounds very well!! You could certainly do it.

 

16 hours ago, LDSModeller said:

Some comments on the RNZAF P40 Information above

Hi Alan,

Thank you very much for your comments on the RNZAF P40. I will have them in mind. I have sent you a PM. The RNZAF colour are a nightmare. 

 

14 hours ago, k5054nz said:

But I feel I need to ask...why none of the XP-40Qs? 

No. We will not include it because they are out of the scope of our collection. This series is just a part of a bigger project.

 

3 hours ago, alt-92 said:

Sooo.... that's another 30 or so to be added later? 

I hope no but I am always open to add any other P40 which worth adding.

 

 

Cheers

Santiago

 

 

[Bertie McBoatface]

7 minutes ago, diamant said:

sometimes looks quite crazy.

 

 

All modellers look crazy to 'normal' people. I wouldn't worry about it. 😜

[TonyOD]

Oh my word. That is scale modelling on a whole different, well, scale.

[diamant]

Thank you for your comments Tony.

 

6 hours ago, Bertie Psmith said:

All modellers look crazy to 'normal' people. I wouldn't worry about it. 😜

Absolutely right. 😁

 

Here is a photo showing the four kits that my father will build for the first batch of Tomahawks.

 

 

 

Cheers

Santiago

 

 

[Tempestwulf]

There's a reason my sons middle name is Curtiss, so I'll be following this thread closely 😄

[diamant]

On 11/15/2021 at 7:16 AM, Tempestwulf said:

There's a reason my sons middle name is Curtiss, so I'll be following this thread closely

I hope you enjoy it !

 

We are now dealing with the challenging of getting the "correct" color by using the Humbrol and Revell paints. It is not easy to get any paint here in Argentina.

 

I am reading this link as starting point.

http://www.ratomodeling.com.br/articles/AVG_cammo/

 

and this very interesting threat here 

 

 

Cheers

Santiago

 

 

 

[Shalako]

My goodness Santiago, you are more obsessed with the P-40s than I am with the US Navy Adversary units !!!!!

 

Good luck with your project and I look forward to see all of your builds!!!!

 

Cheers,

Bill

[diamant]

Quote

Good luck with your project and I look forward to see all of your builds!!!!

Thank you very much Bill

 

My father has started to build the first batch of 4 Tomahawk. He has been trying to improve the kits (Frogs) clonning some pieces from better kit.

 

These are the aircrafts to be represented.

 

1) Tomahawk BK853 - AAE&E UK 1-Nov-40

2) Tomahawk AH767 - 400 squadron RCAF UK 

3) Tomahawk AH771 - 400 squadron RCAF UK1-Oct-41

4) Tomahawk AH860 RM-F 26 squadron RAF Gravesend 1941

 

 

 

Cheers

Santiago

 

 

[diamant]

Hi

 

We have made some progress on this project. Since there is a large serie we have to change the approach.

 

There are many models to be painted with the same color and we will try to get the color doing our best with the references received (Thanks Nick). Therefore we bought some small bottles in order to prepare and used the same preparation to paint all of the models.

 

 

 

 

 

 

My father is trying to improve each kit. Here is how they look now.

 

 

 

 

 

On the other hand I am working hard to prepare our request of custom decals to our friend Luis to get what we need to finish some of this aircrafts selected. Just for example I listed at least 9 different shark mouth.

 

Cheers

Santiago

 

[diamant]

Hi

 

Just to show some progress made on these P40.

 

 

 

Cheers

Santiago

[diamant]

Just a quick update.

 

 

 

Cheers

Santiago

[112 Squadron]

Hello Santiago, the scope of your latest project is simply impressive. I will be closely watching your progress.

 

Best Regards,

 

Martin

[diamant]

Thank you very much Martin,

 

My father has finished the third P40 of this batch and the forth one is waiting the decals. Our friend Luis is doing these decals specially for ur.

 

 

Cheers

Santiago

 

 

 

[Hook]

Awesome project! Of course, given the nice markings in Special Hobby's P-40N, you could also sneak a Dutch one in the lineup.....   

 

Cheers,

 

Andre 

[diamant]

Hi, Thank you very much Andre,

 

The second batch is on its way.

 

And includes the followings aircraft 

Curtiss Tomahawk AH973 1940

Curtiss Tomahawk AH893 RM-D - 26 squadron  UK  June/July 1941

Curtiss Tomahawk AH830 RM-A - 26 squadron UK 

Curtiss Tomahawk AH903 RU-Z - 414 RCAF squadron - UK

 

 

Cheers

Santiago