“Just another curve ball” The P40-f War Hawk by Trumpeter in 1/32

[The Spadgent]

Good morning you lovely lot and welcome to my build of 

 

The P40-F War Hawk by Trumpeter

in 1/32 scale.

 

Why this one?

 

August 4th 2024 at 18:19 life threw me yet another curve ball. It seems like 2024 has been full of things that can be described as life changing. This one just sits on the top of a pile of things that might just topple the tower.  I’ve found ways to cope with such cunning pitches over the last few months but the constant aid that has helped me the most has been my time sat at the bench making bits of plastic junk that to the untrained eye seem pointless. But we all know how sitting quietly figuring out how to “fix” something really helps the brain process real life moments and kick into gear the coping mechanism that we all need to carry on day on day. 
The Honda Dax I’m currently finishing was used to mentally put the lid on one of the many challenges that cropped up this year. It really helped but there’s something off for me about a kit that just fits, simply works. Life isn’t like that or at least in my experience it isn’t.  I’ve been following along with quite a few builds as per usual but @AdrianMF has been once again a real inspiration, over coming problems with old kits by creating scratch built parts as if it were as simple as turning on a tap,(Thanks for sharing old boy).

Hitting problems during modelling time , overcoming those issues with gentle perseverance, love and skill can so easily be bought into practice during every day life. I think what I’m trying say is that this hobby of ours really does help. For me I think the more I can fix the more help mentally I get from it. I know a lot of you out there probably feel the same. Some of you might read this and think it’s insane that a grown man should place such an high value on little plastic models and maybe they’re right but right now and for the last eight years or so it’s really helped me through some dark times and hopefully will continue to do so. 
So with that in mind I opened the cupboard (none metaphorical) and sought a kit that has some issues.  This one seemed to fit the bill.

Even the box art has issues. 😉

I mean come on. 

 

With my choice made I’ll step up to the mound, heft my trusty bat and in classic Stephen King style attempt to knock yet another curve ball “outta the park!”

 

Wanna tag along? 

 

Johnny

[mark.au]

24 minutes ago, The Spadgent said:

Some of you might read this and think it’s insane that a grown man should place such an high value on little plastic models

I suspect those that do think that are a very, very small minority.  The mindfulness modelling facilitates is my primary motivation in pursuing this hobby of ours.

 

 

Edited August 10, 2024 by mark.au

[KDB]

Hang in there, Johnny, we are all, from around the world, with you on every level. We do what we do and we get on with stuff, not least touching history through our models. The War Hawk was a good kite. Do it proud and bring it to life and I for one will follow along if that’s ok. 👍🙂

[The Spadgent]

1 hour ago, mark.au said:

I suspect those that do think that are a very, very small minority.  The mindfulness modelling facilitates is my primary motivation in pursuing this hobby of ours.

 

 

I’m glad you think so too. Not only the build but the help we receive from this wonderful site of ours is integral. For me anyway. 😀

49 minutes ago, KDB said:

Hang in there, Johnny, we are all, from around the world, with you on every level. We do what we do and we get on with stuff, not least touching history through our models. The War Hawk was a good kite. Do it proud and bring it to life and I for one will follow along if that’s ok. 👍🙂

Thanks. It’s a great looking aeroplane. I built the Matchbox 1/72 one when I was about seven or eight. I still own it having found it in a box at my parents. I have since bought the same kit again to do a comparison build. I’ll share up the pics later on.   It’s great to have you along for the ride. 🙌

[The Spadgent]

I bought this kit along with a few others when Rian Allen closed in Birmingham a few years ago. 75% off so don’t let the price tag on the box scare you. 🫣

I’ll go through the trees later on after I’ve done my chores for the day but they is a lot of stuff in the box.

I know there are issues with this being a short tail version and the decals don’t suit the kit. There is also an issue with the front of the fuselage having an unwanted bump, but I have a plan for that.

Back to decals.  here are the kit ones.

I can sense Alain’s @corsaircorp’s enthusiasm at seeing a shark mouth. 🦈 the schemes look great.

And

alas I fear they are either inaccurate or don’t match this aeroplane variant. If any one knows for sure please pipe up.

The decals I have chosen are a little saucy but do fit this particular bird.

kitsworld war birds. 

I’m planning on building x21 “Fifinella” with tail art by Cptn Joseph e Pumphrey. You can read the history on the decal sheet.

Here are the decals.

They look great but I can see a few issues already. The call out asked for six stars but the sheet only has four?  I was hoping to use the operation torch ones. I have seen this scheme with just one star on the upper and lower wing and I’ve also seen some with just the “torch” on the fuselage. I’m a bit confused however as the 1/72 version of these decals have six stars of each type?  If any one out there , the “hive mind” if you will could help me out with this I’d really appreciate it.

 

 The kit also has no stencils and the office has very little in the way of markings so I treated myself to these to help.

Hopefully I’ll get to make a start later on.

 

 All comments welcomed as well as any help. 

 

Johnny

[marvinneko]

For me the key is to focus on process rather than product. Accepting reality, and embracing agency in the sense of navigating reality in line with personal values and self-care. Models are a great microcosm to watch the self in action and experiment with different choices. Watching with interest!

[Hamden]

 

I'll take a seat if I may and watch as you work your magic, your results are always outstanding!

 

          Roger

[MOK61]

I'll pull up a pew, if I may? Looks like an interesting subject.

[Keeff]

9 hours ago, The Spadgent said:

But we all know how sitting quietly figuring out how to “fix” something really helps the brain process real life moments and kick into gear the coping mechanism that we all need to carry on day on day. 

I'm going to start by saying "it's ok to not be ok" and taking time out to do something constructive can help as you've said in your own way

 

9 hours ago, The Spadgent said:

I know a lot of you out there probably feel the same. Some of you might read this and think it’s insane that a grown man should place such an high value on little plastic models

The value here is the 'me time' and therapy you get from it.  We all have times when things can be tough and need an escape.  I get where you're coming from Johnny. 

 

Now, about this build ..... I must confess to tittering at the box art .... it looks like a goofy character with the weird angle of the undercarriage and the mouth ...... or is it just my strange mind? 

 

Anyway, as I still have my seat from the Dax build, I'll simply move it here and top up my drinks and snacks ..... I'm in for the ride!  

 

Keith 😁 

[81-er]

I'm sorry to hear life is still bumpy for you, Johnny, I really do hope things improve. However, I'm glad that plastic bashing is still helping  The kit looks like it should make for an entertaining build (at least for us, hopefully not to frustrating for you). I'm no expert on P-40 markings, so can't tell you what number of stars and whether they should have a yellow boarder or not, but I would like to point out there's additional stars on the kit sheet, assuming they match well enough colour-wise (or just use them on the under surfaces).

 

James

[keefr22]

8 hours ago, The Spadgent said:

I was hoping to use the operation torch ones.

 

I am absolutely no expert on this aeroplane (or any other come to that), and I'm a bit confused by which one is the Op Torch scheme Johnny, and this might be more hindrance than help as it might have no bearing whatsoever on the Warhawk scheme, but I've recently finished an Op.Torch Seafire & the kit instructions and an aftermarket sheet I had to buy to replace the useless kit decals both show large upperwing roundels with yellow outlines. However there's a pic of the original aircraft on BM that shows the large RN roundels overpainted and small star roundels with no yellow border on both upper wings - so don't know if that would be an operation 'standard'?

 

As I say, that waffle is probably no use at all.....

 

Good luck with the build, keep on keeping on....

 

Keith

[corsaircorp]

Hello Spad !!

May I take a seat at the bar ??

sure the Sharkmouth spark my interest....

I still wait for the Airfix P-40 to restart my thread with 2 sharkmouths at least.....

And I totally agree with your opening sentences....

I owe to the truth to say that whithout the modelling, I would have sunk in madness instead of lunacy...

I wish you the best to get out of your difficulties....

Modelling is my respîte, my relief and in some way the push I need to keep going on....

And I thank you and all the friends on here for the support....

You told it better than I did in my damn broken english...

Keep the faith and scratch plastic !!

Sincerely.

CC Le Wibble

PS, not a Corsair alas but I'm in !! If you don't mind....

 

[Stick]

Best wishes Johnny, watching with enthusiasm 👍🏻

Stick

[The Spadgent]

8 hours ago, marvinneko said:

For me the key is to focus on process rather than product. Accepting reality, and embracing agency in the sense of navigating reality in line with personal values and self-care. Models are a great microcosm to watch the self in action and experiment with different choices. Watching with interest!

Eloquently put dear sir. I hope you enjoy the build. 😀

7 hours ago, Hamden said:

 

I'll take a seat if I may and watch as you work your magic, your results are always outstanding!

 

          Roger

Thankyou Roger. Welcome aboard. 

6 hours ago, MOK61 said:

I'll pull up a pew, if I may? Looks like an interesting subject.

Great to have you around. Should be fun. 😀

2 hours ago, Keeff said:

I'm going to start by saying "it's ok to not be ok" and taking time out to do something constructive can help as you've said in your own way

 

The value here is the 'me time' and therapy you get from it.  We all have times when things can be tough and need an escape.  I get where you're coming from Johnny. 

 

Now, about this build ..... I must confess to tittering at the box art .... it looks like a goofy character with the weird angle of the undercarriage and the mouth ...... or is it just my strange mind? 

 

Anyway, as I still have my seat from the Dax build, I'll simply move it here and top up my drinks and snacks ..... I'm in for the ride!  

 

Keith 😁 

Thanks Keith for your kind words. The box art is Bonkers. I have seen the original source photo but in darned of I can find it now.  I think the wheels are retracting but it’s nowhere near that close to the ground. 
Welcome to the madness. 🤪

2 hours ago, 81-er said:

I'm sorry to hear life is still bumpy for you, Johnny, I really do hope things improve. However, I'm glad that plastic bashing is still helping  The kit looks like it should make for an entertaining build (at least for us, hopefully not to frustrating for you). I'm no expert on P-40 markings, so can't tell you what number of stars and whether they should have a yellow boarder or not, but I would like to point out there's additional stars on the kit sheet, assuming they match well enough colour-wise (or just use them on the under surfaces).

 

James

Thanks James. Nice to have you around for the ride. The kit decals are ok but some are slightly out of register. The ones with the yellow boarder “torch” have black stars on the kid decals. Why? I know not. 

1 hour ago, keefr22 said:

 

I am absolutely no expert on this aeroplane (or any other come to that), and I'm a bit confused by which one is the Op Torch scheme Johnny, and this might be more hindrance than help as it might have no bearing whatsoever on the Warhawk scheme, but I've recently finished an Op.Torch Seafire & the kit instructions and an aftermarket sheet I had to buy to replace the useless kit decals both show large upperwing roundels with yellow outlines. However there's a pic of the original aircraft on BM that shows the large RN roundels overpainted and small star roundels with no yellow border on both upper wings - so don't know if that would be an operation 'standard'?

 

As I say, that waffle is probably no use at all.....

 

Good luck with the build, keep on keeping on....

 

Keith

Thanks Keith. I don’t know much either and pick up stuff as I go along. I think I’m right in saying the op torch stars are the ones with yellow boarders. I have seen lots of different variations so I might just try and find a ref pic of the actual aircraft and pray I have the right stickers. 🥳

1 hour ago, corsaircorp said:

Hello Spad !!

May I take a seat at the bar ??

sure the Sharkmouth spark my interest....

I still wait for the Airfix P-40 to restart my thread with 2 sharkmouths at least.....

And I totally agree with your opening sentences....

I owe to the truth to say that whithout the modelling, I would have sunk in madness instead of lunacy...

I wish you the best to get out of your difficulties....

Modelling is my respîte, my relief and in some way the push I need to keep going on....

And I thank you and all the friends on here for the support....

You told it better than I did in my damn broken english...

Keep the faith and scratch plastic !!

Sincerely.

CC Le Wibble

PS, not a Corsair alas but I'm in !! If you don't mind....

 

Sorry dear friend that is yet again not a Corsair. What a wonderful day when it is though. 😇. Glad to have you along for the ride. I’ll try and fit a few choice ales in for you too. 😉🍻

34 minutes ago, Stick said:

Best wishes Johnny, watching with enthusiasm 👍🏻

Stick

Thank you dear boy. Glad to have you around. 

[KDB]

14 hours ago, The Spadgent said:

I’m glad you think so too. Not only the build but the help we receive from this wonderful site of ours is integral. For me anyway. 😀

Thanks. It’s a great looking aeroplane. I built the Matchbox 1/72 one when I was about seven or eight. I still own it having found it in a box at my parents. I have since bought the same kit again to do a comparison build. I’ll share up the pics later on.   It’s great to have you along for the ride. 🙌

You know Johnny, some of my fondest early memories as a young kid are as a 5 yr old in NZ, building my first small models that I’d run down the road to the corner book shop to buy for just 10 or 20 cents. I’m talking plastic bagged BARELY branded VERY Unknown long since deceased brands that I couldn’t even tell you what they were back then. But I do remember my first ones!
Starfighters! so cheap I kept spending what little pocket money I got on them. Glue on my fingers. Too much glue on the model. Glue on the carpet of my Mum and Dads bedroom floor coz that was where the late afternoon sun shone through the window to give me clear light to create by. Glue fumes all through the house!

And very early on was a small P40 Warhawk!! No known brand, literally. So rough with thick chunky fuselage and leading wing edges it would be a disservice to flash to call it flash!! But easy as pie to put together. Painted in thick Humbrol brush strokes in desert colours. I was so proud of them all and would give my eye teeth to see them again, but alas they must be part of the planets crust by now..

All of us on here have several things in common: 

The urge to create with our hands

The skill to create with our hands

An engineering want to create machines that fly or defy the maritime forces of nature 

A dreamers mind to recreate history

And the satisfaction of doing something ‘constructive’ with our time and every now and then, finishing a project with a pleasing result. 
That is what we aim for and why we do what we do. Keep on. 
Cheers - Karl 

[The Spadgent]

4 hours ago, KDB said:

You know Johnny, some of my fondest early memories as a young kid are as a 5 yr old in NZ, building my first small models that I’d run down the road to the corner book shop to buy for just 10 or 20 cents. I’m talking plastic bagged BARELY branded VERY Unknown long since deceased brands that I couldn’t even tell you what they were back then. But I do remember my first ones!
Starfighters! so cheap I kept spending what little pocket money I got on them. Glue on my fingers. Too much glue on the model. Glue on the carpet of my Mum and Dads bedroom floor coz that was where the late afternoon sun shone through the window to give me clear light to create by. Glue fumes all through the house!

And very early on was a small P40 Warhawk!! No known brand, literally. So rough with thick chunky fuselage and leading wing edges it would be a disservice to flash to call it flash!! But easy as pie to put together. Painted in thick Humbrol brush strokes in desert colours. I was so proud of them all and would give my eye teeth to see them again, but alas they must be part of the planets crust by now..

All of us on here have several things in common: 

The urge to create with our hands

The skill to create with our hands

An engineering want to create machines that fly or defy the maritime forces of nature 

A dreamers mind to recreate history

And the satisfaction of doing something ‘constructive’ with our time and every now and then, finishing a project with a pleasing result. 
That is what we aim for and why we do what we do. Keep on. 
Cheers - Karl 

Thank you Karl for such an endearing memory. I think you’re right. I bet a high percentage of us creatives and model makers have very similar memories from childhood, I know I do. I’ll post up a pic I found of myself holding one of those styrene aeroplanes that just so happens to look be a P-40. Wings in backwards obviously. 🙃  This group and Its members are such a wonderful addition to an already fantastic hobby. On line and in person,  You’d be hard pushed to find a nicer bunch. 

 

Johnny. 

[Brandy]

Your challenge, if you choose to accept it, is to model this kit exactly as depicted on the box art!

 

OK, that's not really fair but it would certainly be amusing!

Glad to hear the modelling is still helping out, and you're spot on about the forum being a great source of inspiration and help.

I'm looking forward to watching you work your magic on this one!

 

Ian

 

 

 

[giemme]

Great introduction,  Johnny (said from one that started "proper " modelling to overcome real life issues) 👍

 

I couldn't help but notice that you're going big again    and the missing roundels just gives me the perfect chance for my favorite tip: paint them on, boy!

 

Following...

 

Ciao 

[J.P.]

I'll just slide my seat in with the rest and enjoy the show. Looking forward to your build. Can someone pass the pretzels?

[hendie]

I'll just plant my flag in the ground if I may? (So's I can find this thread again)

 

Haggis pakora and Athol Brose at the ready, carry on...

 

 

[The Spadgent]

5 hours ago, Brandy said:

Your challenge, if you choose to accept it, is to model this kit exactly as depicted on the box art!

 

OK, that's not really fair but it would certainly be amusing!

Glad to hear the modelling is still helping out, and you're spot on about the forum being a great source of inspiration and help.

I'm looking forward to watching you work your magic on this one!

 

Ian

 

 

 

Thanks Ian. I really need to find the photo the box art was taken from. It does actually look that good but it’s in the sky so it looks less wrong, if you know what I mean. 

5 hours ago, giemme said:

Great introduction,  Johnny (said from one that started "proper " modelling to overcome real life issues) 👍

 

I couldn't help but notice that you're going big again    and the missing roundels just gives me the perfect chance for my favorite tip: paint them on, boy!

 

Following...

 

Ciao 

Thanks Giorgio. I knew you would say that. To be fair I could paint them🤔 or at least some of them. ❤️

4 hours ago, J.P. said:

I'll just slide my seat in with the rest and enjoy the show. Looking forward to your build. Can someone pass the pretzels?

Pretzels passed! Enjoy. 😀🥨

4 hours ago, hendie said:

I'll just plant my flag in the ground if I may? (So's I can find this thread again)

 

Haggis pakora and Athol Brose at the ready, carry on...

 

 

I had to google that last one but. Ok. You’re in. 🙃😀

[The Spadgent]

Good evening you lovely lot. Let’s begin by going through the part trees.

As you can see the detail is really nice and crisp. The nose bump is quite evident but nothing a bit of sanding won’t fix. 👃

The flaps and what not all look really good too. 

You get some brass parts for the wing innards/ seat belts and nose intake.

Also the lovingly wrapped clear parts. Are a thing of beauty.

And you wouldn’t believe it but the tyres are….. you guessed it.

Rubber! Shhhhhh🤫 not a word to the hound. 🤪🙃

The instructions seem good and strangely not that many steps.

well I better get on with some actual sticking things together eh? 
I did spend some time researching the cockpit and this kit in particular. For some reason or another it seems to get a lot of bad press. It’s a little bit much I think as looking at the ref and checking the parts there’s not bad. The seat seems to have a few different variants, some with more round and some totally square. And some that look a bit like this.

It’s not goi g to win seat of the year but it’s pretty well detailed , with some decent paint and the belts in place will look pretty good

The walls and floor look pretty good. The detail is crisp and as far as I can see quite accurate. I don’t think there are four dials but I can sort that out.

With more of the detail parts dry fitted it looks ok.

The IP also looks really nice. The target sight is inaccurate but I can fix that.

A quick dry fit of the parts proved that everything looks rather busy and with paint and decals in all the right places will do the job nicely.

I even heard someone calling the control column a “baseball bat” looks ok to me.

With the ip and pedals in even in its naked form I think it’s really good.

I’ll add some extra details and some lead wires but overall I’m happy. 

ok that’s it for now. I’ll need to get some detail parts in place and get that wiring sorted. 
 

Watch this space. 😀

 

Happy modelling chums. 

Johnny. 🥳

[keefr22]

IIRC, wasn't the main complaint something about the depth of the cockpit? Maybe not. Whatever, it looks good from here and with some nicely applied Spadgent paint I think it'll look spiffing...!!

 

Keith

 

 

[M.T.Dolby]

Hi Johnny, good to hear again how the hobby unites us all in the mindfulness and wellbeing that it brings. Hope you start to feel better soon. I’m no expert on P-40s but having built a P-40f recently I have done my fair share of research - I’m pretty sure that both the Kitsworld schemes are for long tails, as is the Guadalcanal one. The only one I’m confident of from those options is 7*8 although without the Torch yellow surround. There’s a photo of it here:

 

 

There appear to be surprisingly few schemes for short tailed Fs - I bought 2 short tailed SH ones (1/72) and have struggled to find schemes for them! 
 

Hope that helps a little

 

Matt

[The Spadgent]

39 minutes ago, keefr22 said:

IIRC, wasn't the main complaint something about the depth of the cockpit? Maybe not. Whatever, it looks good from here and with some nicely applied Spadgent paint I think it'll look spiffing...!!

 

Keith

 

 

That does ring a bell. I also read about the cockpit not having a floor but the ones I found seem to have a floor.  Not sure what’s going on with BM at the mo but I can’t seem to cut and paste web addresses. But here’s a good example of what I’m looking at .

p-40 cockpit

 

I know it’s an “e” But how different can that be?  (Probably very) 😱. Thankyou for your kind words Keith.