It's finally done! The on-and-off again "P-40ish" kit bash project that began as a NIB Top Flite ARF Nobler. There are detailed posts in both the Building Techniques and the Paint and Finishing sections here on the forum chronicling this build and all the modifications from the very beginning.
My original visualization for this model was a 40's era "cartoonish" version of a Curtiss P-40 Warhawk beginning to morph out of shape from extreme speed in flight. I had a lot of ideas for both aircraft outlines and paint details when I started the project, some worked out, many didn't.
Power is a box-stock FP.40 save for a Jim Lee venturi and an ST type NVA from Leonard over on Stuka Stunt. It's got a Dubro 4 ounce clunk tank that will be plumbed to use muffler pressure and I plan to run the Tornado 10x6 three blader as shown. The spinner is a Randy Smith unit but with a new custom machined, slightly extended, "extra pointy" spinner nut by fellow club member Tony Kubes. The prop and spinner assembly are also riding on a 3/4" Fox prop shaft extension. I used it because I wanted the engine completely enclosed, but with the nose of the model having the profile look of the very early model P-40's with the long nose case Allison. I'm not planning on using the "muffler" shown in these photos, Tony is still whittling out the final version of what will be a tongue muffler with a pressure tap. Inside is a Tom Morris control system with a few modifications of my own. The main gear wheels are some older Kraft items, (BIG BUCKS on Ebay) a slight bit on the heavy side but just the right look for the P-40.
The overall markings are a simple fictional cross between the typical Flying Tigers scheme and a Pearl Harbor era P-40. All prep and finish work was done with Brodak dope and the morphed U.S. star insignias, the 160's on the fuselage sides, and "THE ARMY" logo were all custom made in vinyl to my specs. I chose the "160" number for the fuselage sides because that was the number on the side of Lt George Welch's P-40 at Pearl Harbor, the first U.S. pilot in the air against Japan during the December 7th attack. The shark mouth graphics, also in vinyl, were found on Ebay. There's a seller I came across there who offers them in various sizes and will also do them by size to order. The Kamikaze "kill" flags are water slide items from Major Decal. All graphics were sealed with a final coat of Brodak Krystal Clear.
Anyway, here's what I've ended up with...
Topic: P-40 bash is complete! (Read 3721 times)