Airfix 1/48 Curtis Hawk 81-a-2 (P40 B), Flying Tigers Full Build

[@Bene_Factum]

My favorite war bird. I'm putting this kit together as I type this and came across your video while letting parts set up. Excellent video!

[@jeffreyross-zb8cz]

Have 3 in the Stash, wanted to check how you did it, Wonderful Brother👍🤘👏

[@Peter-vl9fz]

Wow! Top notch modelling on a good kit. Your painting is perfect.

[@Glicksman1]

Great vid. I love that Airfix engineered the main parts to go together to create the natural panel lines that appear on the full scale aircraft rather than them being provided in the mould (for better or worse) or having to scriibe them. You're quite right about the hard-edge camo. AVG fighter aircraft came from a Curtiss assembly line which had just started producing Tomahawk IIB models for the Royal Air Force in North Africa. The Tomahawk IIB was similar to the U.S. Army's P-40C, but there is some evidence that Curtiss actually used leftover components when building the fighters intended for China, making them closer to the older P-40B/Tomahawk IIA specification . AVG aircraft had fuel tanks with external self-sealing coatings, rather than the more effective internal self-sealing membranes as fitted to the P-40C/Tomahawk IIB, and the aircraft built for China lacked the later Tomahawk's fittings to carry a drop tank and the addition of an armour plate in front of the pilot. The AVG's P-40s had been purchased without reflector gunsights, radios and wing guns; the lack of these items caused continual difficulties for the AVG in Burma and China., particularly the lack of guns and radios. The standard finish in the Middle East for R.A.F. aircraft from 1941 was tropical land scheme of Dark Earth and Middle Stone with azure blue undersurfaces. However, Curtiss-Wright factory painted these particular P-40s which were bound for China Dark Green and Dark Earth, the standard early, day, temperate land scheme. Period photos show this to be the general camo for the AVG. However, period phots also show that the underside of these aircraft were not painted Type S but a light grey, while some modern airshow reproduction examples have undersides pained in the aforementioned azure blue which never appeared with the official Dark Green and Dark Earth scheme. The Airfix painting scheme showing the light grey undersides is likely most accurate. In any event, all photos of AVG and RAF aircraft of that era clearly indicate that all of the camo colours were separated and distinguished by hard edges and not feathered with sprayers. I understand that rubber mats were placed on the wings, fuselage, and tail surfaces to mask them for painting. Whether RAF A and B roundels, fin flashes and other national markings were applied by Curtiss is not known, but is not likely for international political reasons. Accordingly, the AVG likely received their P-40Bs without such markings and applied the beautiful Chinese national insignia and AVG markings as they saw fit. Seems an excellent kit. Great build. A tutorial for modelers who want instruction to do it right. Thanks, mate.

[@juhasaarikko2296]

I was just trying to figure out the camo colors, so I decided to use Tamiya :sprays: Dark Earth and Dark Green and light grey AS-11 for undersides. Thanks a LOT !

[@BigFred1925]

Excellent, great tip on not using time to paint unseen items. The painting of the red stripe was also well done. Thanks

[@mikeandalicescott]

Great video. This is the first kit I'm trying tp build, made one big error gluing the cockpit into the fuselage, so the pilot sits a little lower than he should. Otherwise I'm having a lot of fun with it. Plus 72 year old fingers shake a bit, makes painting details a challenge.

[@ModelMinutes]

I've got one of these, but in the RAF colours. Great looking build there :)

[@kevinpurcell2093]

I enjoy your video and your attention to details.

[@rollobaker2031]

very nice work Jason one detail many ac had no radio then basic sets were installed with a single wire to tail some with masts some without my Dad flew with and installed radios in China42-44

[@johnericson7600]

Excellent tutorial. I believe the clear piece inside the wind screen is armor on the B. Gun sights on this mark was usually a post and circle type sight that AIRFIX has neglected to represent in their otherwise wonderful kit. The roundel issue is not minor when you know what every point represents. A detail lost in history to most arm chair historians. I've just discovered this channel. It has quickly become one of my favorites. Thank you !

[@TheGreywulff]

I just built the new Airfix 1/48 P-51. What a really nice kit to build ! I'm certainly Looking forward to doing this kit ! Thanks for doing the video 😊

[@josephstabile9154]

Great build, and many thanx for sharing it, and your thoughts. All my sources say this consignment of P-40s (Hawk 81s) were built AND painted at Curtiss-wright, and used Dupont "equivalent" colors, not for RAF desert or tropical theater, but European temperate. Therefore, RAF brown & green topside, and gray undersurface. The Curtiss paint masks were rubber, door-mat thickness, and, as your model shows, had semi-circular, partial cutouts indicating correct roundel location. The thickness of the mats was such that the green would have a rather tight feather edge (the brown being the overall basecoat). However, in the unpacking/assembly phase of this consignment, a relatively VERY few Tomahawks, that were originally intended for RAF Far East, got reassigned to AVG, and these a/c, already reassigned from desert consignment, DID have roundels, and probably azure blue undersurfaces. There are surviving photos of at least one of these a/c with both roundels & Chinese national insignias. Wheel well liners were khaki tan canvas, and had snap-in fasteners with underlying small, leather reinforcements. These fasteners were analogous to the fasteners U.S. used on its Army canteen canvas covers. These wheel well covers were generally not overpainted. The acetate, Disney flying tiger decals were applied by a first undercoat of clear lacquer on the a/c immediately underlying the desired decal location, affixing the decal, then a 2nd coat of clear lacquer on the decal's top surface. The dark color of the a/c surface immediately surrounding the decal was NOT a new application of camoflage color, but merely the dark visual tone imparted by the 2 coats of clear lacquer.

[@francescofissore161]

hello from Italy, great explaination about some interesting details I was unaware of... very good to know. If possible, I'd like exploiting here with a few questions for you about this matter - thanx very much of course!. * Were those cutouts for roundel positioning, present on ALL the 100 AVG P-40s as standard procedure, even though (as you say) very few of them got roundels as well? * Were those masking mats somehow adhesive to the surfaces? * Could be the laquer for the tiger decals a particular one having actual glue in it, or was it a standard laquer for painting? Thanx again.

[@pandaphil]

Looks great! Interesting fact about the tiger insignia on the side. They were actually large stick on decals. They were sent over from the US and were designed by an artist at Disney.

[@johnmoran8805]

Also the dark color around them is due to the lacquer put over them.

[@tonygee6418]

Whoa, such an awesome camouflage job that you did 😊

[@iannicholls7476]

Very nice Jason. Thanks for that.

[@briankelly9516]

Really nice video. Good music choices. Useful and interesting commentary.

[@Dragon_Werks]

The "Flying Tiger" marking was NOT painted on by ground crews! It was a decal, designed and produced by Walt Disney for the AVG. Peel and stick.

[@alanwinkley8811]

Another excellent video build Jason. Top marks for persevering with the sharks teeth.

[@allanrichards6448]

A nice build. You've convinced me to buy this kit as the price of Airfix kits are very reasonable and cheaper than Tamiya etc. You mention not building or painting hidden detail but I like doing it as I feel you get more value from the kit. I wish kit manufacturers would think about things in the design stage and include less hidden detail in favour of more visible detail.

[@ja37d-34]

Seems like a decent kit of a great plane!

[@Johnny-tt8zc]

Beautiful build.

[@moparnut6286]

I've loved the P40 since the first day I got one with a .049 nitro engine....still love building the models in 1/48.

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

WOW!!!!!! Great video, Great build................... 👍😉👍

[@Mongrel714]

Man My Revell kit has 12 points! Great job, love watching your work!

[@bobsmodels123]

That's accurate airfix was wrong

[@bobsmodels123]

It has 12 points actually

[@slougo5909]

Thanks for this build video. I'm doing the Flying Tigers version of this Airfix kit in Pappy Boyington markings. Question, how did you determine Wich seat to use, Square or Round back seat?

[@Dean-Trower]

Great job on a superb looking kit.

[@captnemomodelingzone7850]

Great video I am getting in planes and Tanks. I have watch a few of your videos. I appreciate all your help. I just sub to your channel. Have a great week Sir.

[@konradlure8729]

Really nice build

[@ColonelRebScaleModels]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Superb job!!! My favorite plane and story of WWII fighters. You really did fantastic work, a very realistic representation of an truly “blue-collar” workhorse of a plane, deadly in the hands of well trained pilots against superior adversaries.

[@robertcolbourne386]

P-40B ,to me, is the most handsome fighter of the 38-41 period. It really looks like a shark 🦈. The later versions are ungainly. I still like the old Monogram 1/48 P-40B ,ever though it is laughable by today's standard lol

[@vasili1207]

Well done jas ... looks great mate i do like the p40 such a nice looking front end

[@stevenanderson236]

Nice work!

[@kenhanson1819]

Cracking build, Jason! I've got this kit as well and didn't realize the issue with the roundels until you mentioned it. I prefer this plastic to the normal Airfix light blue-gray as well. Unfortunately my kit has a big sink mark in the rudder.

[@dpeshy6719]

I've built it in 1/72 scale and yes, gave up on the red strip decal by the rudder - just masked and airbrushed it. The shark teeth were a nightmare to apply as well.

[@SullysScaleModels]

I had the same experience as you and had a similar issue with that intake i think i had to snap it out later on and reposition it. Iv since gave up with airfix built a few pf there newer ones and just havent had fun with them im hopping there Blenheim is good as its the last one i have of airfix and have looked forward to it for some time. Fingers crossed!

[@josealejandroalvaradobotei8584]

Que genialidad te quedo el avión ✈️😁✊🇨🇱a mi también me encanta el aeromodelismo abrazo desde 🇨🇱

[@Sarge-1972]

Just ordered this kit , built the old school Revell version we shall see ,.....

[@georgevprochazka5316]

I wish you (and all modelers) posted a link to the "next" video. It's hard to find sometimes.

[@raytheron]

Superb!

[@BobBoB-ez1pi]

I find using electrical insulation tape is best for belts. Easy to deglue with a quick wipe down with turps. Plus the tape comes in many colors. Easy to cut to desired width and paint.

[@tomt373]

The "things" you refer to @ 20:15 are usually called "fairings" since they were to improve streamlining for the part of the landing gear that would protrude from the wing's front.

[@josephstabile9154]

Or, in this case, "sponsons".

[@kalynstalinski8375]

I built this kit last year and it went together last year, went together like a dream! I hand painted mine as a live in an apartment and airbrush isn’t practical, and I’m really proud of my results. A few notes: the round parts of the wheel wells were tan canvas, not chromate green, and those small circles in the wells aren’t injector pin marks, they’re there in the real thing (I forgot were I saw it but there are a few good reference photos that show that detail on the real plane). And to quote one source: “if you’re modeling an avg plane with all it’s markings, you’re modeling a very weathered plane” because they added the markings throughout their campaign, and between sorties, they were often literally patched up with tape and chewing gum. The weathering was fun for me 😊

[@captainmagic91]

Great work and great build. But I've seen this before???

[@familyhobbies3343]

Me too

[@iankozlovsky178]

do you know the name of the audiobook you mentioned, sounds interesting

[@piedmonitor]

Where can you get that bulk white poster tack in a big sheet like that?

[@WorksOnMyComputer]

It looks like a nice kit, but Airfix are well past due to include at least some photoetch for seat belts or an alternative seat with the belts molded in place so you can choose.

[@jcwoodman5285]

Sweet 🤗

[@pfsmodellingprojects]

Recently purchased this kit, it had the blue plastic mouldings you mentioned, ended up throwing the kit in the bin. On sprue B there were 4 parts only partially moulded, short mouldings!! Don't expect flash from 5 year old tooling either. Their quality control is non existent.. No more Airfix for me..

[@vasili1207]

Yep i got a kit out started painting it p51 and it had wrong decals... this was during covid so took months to get replacements ... not buying anymore airfix Unless they are re-boxed kits

[@bobhastings6464]

Nice build Jason! I think you nailed the Flying Tigers colours. Could you tell me what green you used. Looks just right! Cheers from Canada Bob

[@chikabungiekirkhoff8669]

Hi Bob, I have built the 1/32 scale Flying Tigers P40-N ... This Airfix version looks like it fits together way better.

[@Martycycleman]

Can you tell what spray booth to bye?

[@blrocks2056]

Hi may I know what's name of that thread🧵 that u use there? Thanks 😊

[@mbabist01]

Nice build, but the "zinc chromate" was too olive drab (oh, for Pactra's Zinc Chromate!).

[@Ftc.6]

Panel lines aren't bad for Airfix. Best looking 40 imo.

[@vasilileung2204]

You know the tiger mouth’s the signature of the flying tigers when KZbin puts an ad just before it

[@cygnusx10]

Great build well finished. It seems that all the problems with this kit are the fault of Airfix and their decals: wrong decals, decals that don't work (yes, for a stripe to go around the fuselage and look straight, it should have some curves) but the painted on stripe looks better imho so... no great loss. That's a bit of a let down only have 11 pointed star, especially when they got it right in a different scale. Pretty poor quality control at Airfix. Anyway, great build, very nice finish and great video thanks for sharing.

[@josephstabile9154]

THAT issue should have triggered a release of a corrected decal sheet, a notation on the box to the effect "12-point national insignias", and an on website offer of free replacement with correct decals. The right thing to do...would have made really good p.r. for Airfix as real "stand up guys".

[@patrickjensen5937]

where did you get that snipping tweezer thing ? i could use one

[@Captain-Nostromo]

Patrick Jensen you can find them on Micro Mark (the small tool specialist)

[@jaybarua7095]

Could the book you speak of be God is my Copilot by Col Robert Scott (later General)? Superb book that describes, in part, events in my part of the world--Assam, India.

[@dannyzhao2340]

Such a nice AVG P-40 and the superb work of building. But Airfix wrongly printed the Chinese Nationalist Air Force roundle in 11 blades, it has 12 blades actually.

[@vmoney9106]

Nigel: “ But ours go to 11”

[@robynanderson1263]

Watched and searched through again but you did not show the attachment of the canopy, front or rear.

[@sufianansari4923]

17:45 wing root?

[@rogerramgoolam6939]

The wings did not go in well. There are large gaps and a discontinuity between wing and fillet in the right wing. The latter leaves an unsightly bump even when sanded and filled.

[@troypetty8141]

That is a fuel tank aft of the seat.

[@KJ-kn8pg]

Nice p-40 but should have free hand sprayed it for the semi-hard line for a nicer model, and from my knowledge also more accurate.

[@DaCostaStudio]

Nice work!