Trumpeter 1/48 P-40B/C - by Mark Sullivan - Murrells Inlet, South Carolina

This is Trumpeters offering of the P-40B/C done as a Tomahawk MkIIb. I've always liked the P-40. It may not be a graceful as a Spitfire, or as fast as a Mustang, but P-40's served just as well as any other aircraft in World War II.

The main problem with Trumps P-40 is the shallowness of the cockpit. I replaced this with Aries Resin Cockpit Set, which really does make a difference. The cockpit was painted with Humbrol’s Bronze Green, dry-brushed, and details picked out with a fine brush. It installs easily into the bottom of the assembled fuselage.

The area behind the rear windows was painted dark green, as these machines were delivered in the DG/DE over Grey camouflage, and repainted in the field. I also chose to use Eduard’s photo etch flap set, which offers greater detail than the kit parts. These were somewhat time consuming, but well worth the effort.

Markings for early P-40's are somewhat limited. I didn't want to do an Olive DRab/Natural Gray scheme, and I'd already done a AVG machine some time ago. Browsing through different decals available, I decided that I would use Barracuda Cals for the first time.

I painted my Tomahawk in Middlestone, Dark Earth, and Azure Blue from the old Floquil Military Enamel Line released back in the mid nineties. Fifteen or so years later and the paint is still good, and sprays like I bought it yesterday. After a few misty applications of Future, it was time for decals.

I always get a little apprehensive putting down the first decal from a manufacturer I haven't used before. I use Solva-Set exclusively for my decals, and I didn't know how Bracuda Cals would hold up. I opted to apply an upper wing roundel first and test that. The decals are nicely thin, and a minute or so after applying the Solva-Set, nicely wrinkled. I let it sit for a while, and after about fifteen minutes, I had a nice smooth decal conforming to all panel lines and rivet detail. The rest of the decals were hassle free, and the shark mouth was a perfect fit.


Barracuda Studios products used:
BC48005 P-40s of 112 Squadron RAF - Part 1