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It is my guess that most
everyone is familiar with the Curtiss P-40 family. The P-40N was the fastest
and arguably the best in the line. It was lighter than earlier P-40s and also
featured improved pilot visibility along with numerous other refinements. The
Hasegawa P-40N has been around for many years, but it is still an excellent
kit that with a little help from some photo etch parts, holds up well against
academy's P-40 kits.
I added Eduard
Photo Etched details in the cockpit and replaced the under-nose cooling
louvers. The kit wheels were replaced with a set from an Academy kit as the
have the wheel covers removed. This was the case with all the photos I found
of this particular aircraft. This kit goes together very easily with little or
no filler needed anywhere. The wing to fuselage joint on the belly needs a
little attention for a neat look, but that is about it. The canopy is well
molded and even in the closed position, the added cockpit details can be
fairly well seen.
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I finished the model
using Polly S acrylics. The top surfaces were painted olive drab and neutral
gray was used on the undersurfaces. The tail and wing leading edges were painted
white and then the model was sprayed with a coat of Polly S clear gloss. I
decided on Richard Vodra's aircraft, who was an ace assigned to the 49th
Fighter Group, 8th Squadron in New Guinea during 1943. The markings are from
TGR's decal sheet number 72005. These are the best decals I think I've ever
used...they went on with absolutely no silvering and are incredibly thin and
realistic looking. The tail checkerboard went on very easily, a very pleasant
surprise! I weathered the model using black and gray washes and chipped the
paint using Testor's chrome silver. I then added a little engine exhaust
residue and coated the model in Testor's clear flat.
A contest winner its not, but I am
very pleased with the final result considering how little time an effort was
needed. I'm sure I'll build several more in the coming years!
Joe
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