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Força
Aérea Brasileira (FAB) received a mix of Curtiss P-40E, K, M and N models
from 1942 that were used mainly as homeland defense fighters during WW2 years
while the P-47 Thunderbolts were doing their job in Italy. In November 1945,
after the return of the P-47s from Europe, all remaining Warhawks were sent to
Canoas AB to equip the 3rd Fighter Group (later re-assigned 1º/14º GAv - 1st
Squadron / 14th Aviation Group) which became the only P-40 operator in FAB up to
1954 when all Warhawks were finally retired.
Click on
images below to see larger images
This
is the 1/72 scale Academy P-40M/N kit built to depict one of the five P-40M used
by 1º/14º GAv from 1951 to 54. It’s a very nice model and quite easy to
assemble, but still with room for some improvements. I’ve added some
scratchbuilt details in the cockpit, complete with photo-etched instrument panel
and seat belts. Unfortunately most of this work cannot be seen because it was
not possible to pose the canopy open. Actually the canopy is the only negative
point of this kit because it is too narrow and too high to properly fit fuselage
curves. I’ve tried two vacuum-formed options but none of them (both designed
for Hasegawa P-40E kits) fit as desired because the fuselage area behind the
cockpit is too wide.
Additional
external items include only aluminum foil to replicate the tail wheel canvas
cover and Quickboost resin exhaust. This was the first time I used Quickboost
exhausts and it really makes a difference, especially in 1/72 scale.
The
metallic finish seen on many Brazilian aircraft from 1950s and 60s is not a
natural metal as it looks. These aircraft were actually painted with a metallic
colored lacquer named “Alumilac” here in Brazil, and I choose Metalizer
Aluminum paint to replicate it. When Alumilac was applied everything was painted
with it, including wheel wells, interior of landing gear doors and the area
behind the side windows. Three coats of Future Floor were applied to seal the
fragile Metalizer and green/yellow rudder and black anti-glare panel were
painted after. Markings came from sheet “P-40s 1º/14º GAv. Esq. Pampa”
produced by Brazilian company FCM Decals, a very comprehensive sheet that
includes markings for almost every P-40 flew by 1º/14º GAv. Weathering was
completed using oil paints and pastel chalks.
Despite
the canopy problem I really liked this model. It turned out as a nice
representation of one of the most important fighters in Força Aérea Brasileira
history. Hope you liked it as well.
Mario
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images below to see larger images
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