Academy 1/72 Curtiss P-40M/N Warhawk

ACADEMY 1:72 CURTISS P-40M/N WARHAWK/KITTYHAWK

Reviewer: Paul Wherran (rec.models.scale)
Kit Review submitted: 7 December 2001
Model Photos submitted by Darrell Thompson

The Kit:
This is marketed as Kit number 1668 under the Academy brand and is a new tooling kit that probably has been copied from some other company's mold. Cynical, aren't I? Inside the sturdy box features three sprues of light grey injection molded parts totalling just over 50 and there are 8 clear parts on a separate sprue. Fuselage clear sprues are packaged together suggesting other versions of the aircraft will be kitted. Detail is quite good and what is now generally expected of Academy with lovely engineered parts and nicely rendered surface detail including engraved panel lines, a sufficiently complete fit out of the cockpit, wheel well detail and provisions for either an M or N version canopy. Different sets of wheels are also in the kit and for stores you can choose between 500-lb bomb or drop tank.

Instructions:
Brief History governs the first page and the inside section covers the assembly process in generally clear and concise directions. Painting instructions are provided for ongoing construction and the external markings with FS numbers also provided where possible. Four view diagrams show the two options catered for in the kit, with a third included on a separate sheet.

Construction:
The good thing about this part is that the construction sequence was essentially hassle-free as everything went together and the fit was on the whole excellent. But for what it is worth here is a brief run down for you!

The cockpit is well detailed for this scale with seat, stick, rudder pedals, instrument panel (with instrumentation), side panels etc all provided. Everything fits into place almost perfectly and aligning it inside the fuselage presents no problems. The fuselage halves go together well but don't use rubber bands to clamp because if the join is too tight the upper fuselage section behind the cockpit will bulge - masking tape is a better clamp device.

Photo credit: © Darrell Thompson 2001

Assembly of the major components goes without a hitch. The wing halves attach well to the fuselage with very little need for any filler and the tailplanes also fit almost perfectly. The spinner and propeller mast needs to be given some attention to make sure the shaft is short enough so the spinner is flush with the nose, but not too short so the propeller won't spin freely.

The canopy comes in several pieces to allow you to display an open cockpit and it is very clear and fits reasonably well. The only cause for concern is to do with the rear fuselage windows. Firstly the fit may be a bit problematic if the fuselage halves were not affixed together properly (if they were too tight, the windows will bulge out a bit) and once the frames were painted they did not look quite right. Checking references the frames are in the right position or so it seems so either they are a bit too thick or they are slightly out of position that seems noticeable once they are painted?

Again there were no real problems with the assembly of the undercarriage and these attach to the locating holes in the wheel wells without any hassles. The pitot tube on the port wing and fuselage mast fit well although the pitot tube hole was a touch on the large side, needing a little bit of care slipping the tube in and allowing to dry.

Versions & Decals:
Three versions can be produced by the kit and I chose to pick the No.112 Sqn, Kittyhawk Mk.III, Sicily 1943 with Dark Earth, Sand Brown upper camouflage over Sky Blue undersides and sporting the great looking sharks mouth over the front intake. This is also a P-40M variant. The decals are packaged separately which is always a good thing and come on a pale blue background making white items easy to locate. The print quality of the decal sheet is very good but I query the red on the roundels and fin flash as they did not look quite right. Sharks mouths are notoriously difficult for applying to a model's surface but with the aid of Decalfix I didn't have any problems with the one on this model. It conformed well to the intake curves and looks realistic!

For information purposes the other two versions allowed for in this box are a P-40N Warhawk, 7th FS, China 1944 wearing the good old Olive Drab over Neutral Grey. It also is a shark mouth Warhawk but the USAAF insignia has the blue border removed from the bar surrounding the star. I checked some reference sources and this appears to be spot on in that the aircraft rarely had the border in this theatre - something new I learned! The other version is also a P-40N, 80 Sqn, RAAF, New Guinea, 1945. The colours should be Foliage Green over Sky blue undersides, despite what is otherwise written elsewhere. The wing leading edges plus the whole tail unit to just in front of it, are white. "Cleopatra" is a badge on the nose.

Photo credit: © Darrell Thompson 2001

Accuracy:
Checking it against reference photos there is really nothing to pick up about this model, it really captures the look of the P-40M/N versions very well and is as convincing replica as I can attest to. I am sure there is probably something wrong in the outline of the fin or wing or something, but to me the assessment is very acceptable and matches up to reference profiles as good as anything I have built. The measurements come within a millimetre or so to being spot on in scale - another very acceptable trait.

Overall:
This was a thoroughly enjoyable build with hassle free construction and generally excellent fit of the parts. Unless I have not spotted something seriously wrong in the accuracy department this kit is a winner and highly recommended to add to your WW2 RAAF, USAAF or RAF collection!

Model Photos supplied by Darrell Thompson:
Here are some pictures of the Academy P-40N Warhawk in 1/72 scale (kit no. 1668). The model was built using True Details P-40 cockpit detail set - it's recommended for the Hasegawa Warhawk, but fits great in this kit. I airbrushed on Humbrol enamels and used decals from the kit.

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