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Revell/Monogram 1/48 scale P-40 "Hawk" (Flying Tigers)

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  • Member since
    March 2015
  • From: Streetsboro, Ohio
Revell/Monogram 1/48 scale P-40 "Hawk" (Flying Tigers)
Posted by Toshi on Thursday, April 16, 2015 10:52 PM

To my fellow forum members,

Thank you so much in your support in my Lockheed P-61 Black Widow build. Just the amount of views brought me excitement and great satisfaction in a thread about a WWII aircraft. With improvising, out of the box thinking, discipline, and patience, I was able to avoid most of the obstacles that this scale model presented, mind you, it's a kit that hasn't changed since the late 1960's from what I researched. I chose this particular product as it was something that I fondly built during my childhood, growing up in Honolulu, Hawaii.

This next project will be a aircraft that I've never built. It is widely known by the planes service in China. What! China? General Chiang Kai Shek fought against the Japanese invasion of Manchuria or known during the war as Manchuko by the Japanese invasion forces which occupied that part of the country. One idea that the General Chiang Kai Shek had was to employ quite literally, air pilot mercenaries to aid the Chinese against the encroachment of the Japanese invasion forces.

The answer was AVG or the American Volunteer Group. It sounds better than mercenary. Led by General Claire Chenault, this group became widely known as the infamous "Flying Tigers". Almost everyone will recognize the P-40 with it's gaping mouth full of teeth and the eyes of anger.

Although lacking somewhat in Maneuverability and rate of climb, the P-40's top speed of 352 m.p.h. coupled with its rugged construction, armour plating and fast diving speed, enabled it to hold it's own against most of the fighter planes in existence at that time. Out of the three groups of the "Flying Tigers", the most widely known group of pilots were 3rd. squadron "Hell's Angels".

Within 6 and a 1/2 months they compiled a record of shooting down 299 Japanese aircraft while loosing only 50 planes in which the pilots of the "Flying Tigers" lost 8 pilots killed and with 4 missing. This time frame was during December 20, 1941.

Like my previous thread in regards to the Black Widow, I will present a step by step build of my P-40 "Warhawk" (Flying Tigers) so that forum members can view the build and even critique and or give me pointers in what should be done. The only difference with this P-40 build will be that there will be no aftermarket items purchased to assemble this plane. This build will exclusively contain only what was in the factory sealed box. I hope I can accomplish this project. Why? I've never airbrushed a camouflage design onto a plane. This will all be new to me, so I hope you enjoy this build as much as I will. Please don't forget to leave comments in regards to the assembling of the P-40. I want to thank you in advance in your support with my project.

Toshi

On The Bench: Revell 1/48 B-25 Mitchell

 

Married to the most caring, loving, understanding, and beautiful wife in the world.  Mrs. Toshi

 

 

  • Member since
    March 2015
  • From: Streetsboro, Ohio
Posted by Toshi on Thursday, April 16, 2015 10:58 PM

On The Bench: Revell 1/48 B-25 Mitchell

 

Married to the most caring, loving, understanding, and beautiful wife in the world.  Mrs. Toshi

 

 

  • Member since
    September 2012
Posted by GMorrison on Thursday, April 16, 2015 11:08 PM

I'm looking forward to this. You are fun to hang with.

FYI the P-61 was built by the Northrop Company.

Your guy looks pretty good. His straps should be khaki, not green. An easy and decent wat to go is to cut thin strips of plain masking tape and stick it on.

Be sure to fill and sand smooth that seam in the headrest. It should be leather colored.

You did a good job on that instrument panel.

Good start.

 Modeling is an excuse to buy books.

 

  • Member since
    March 2015
  • From: Streetsboro, Ohio
Posted by Toshi on Friday, April 17, 2015 8:18 AM

To GMorrison,

Uh, ha.  Northrop, not Lockheed, I don't know why I thought it was Lockheed.  As for the seatbelt color (I love the idea of utilizing masking tape, I'll try that first) and head rest seam and color, I'll correct this this evening.  

I also think it's cool to have you "Hang with me".  Thank you for everything thus far, I'm sure they'll be a few more corrections and proper direction needed prior to the P-40 completion from you and great forum members like you.  Thank you for the read, reply, and advice!

Toshi

On The Bench: Revell 1/48 B-25 Mitchell

 

Married to the most caring, loving, understanding, and beautiful wife in the world.  Mrs. Toshi

 

 

  • Member since
    March 2015
  • From: Streetsboro, Ohio
Posted by Toshi on Friday, April 17, 2015 9:57 AM

Message to MBrindos,

As you are building this same kit, how far are you and what is the status of the P-40 that you are completing for your son?

So far as you can see by my photos, everything went together as described by the assembly sheet.  As the case with such a simple and inexpensive kit (I'm glad that I get to do a simpler aircraft as the Widow was a handful and somewhat of a project, yet very enjoyable as well) there were some very minor fit issues as far as the fuselage was concerned of which was simply corrected with Testors liquid cement.  Other than that, I have or hope to not have as I should write, no more issues.  Ya, right!  LOL!

Today I'll move forward with a few more steps in the process of the P-40 build.  Thank you in advance!

Toshi

On The Bench: Revell 1/48 B-25 Mitchell

 

Married to the most caring, loving, understanding, and beautiful wife in the world.  Mrs. Toshi

 

 

  • Member since
    August 2013
Posted by Jay Jay on Friday, April 17, 2015 10:55 AM

Hi Toshi,

I very much enjoy reading your posts and viewing your WIP. If you lived nearby I'm sure we would be friends.

I have just a little tip for you.  If you put a drop of epoxie or Testors  clear parts cement over the dials of the instrument panel they will look like the glass lenses on them.  It makes the IP look more realistic

 

 

 

 

 

 I'm finally retired. Now time I got, money I don't.

  • Member since
    March 2015
  • From: Streetsboro, Ohio
Posted by Toshi on Friday, April 17, 2015 1:24 PM

To Jay Jay,

I very much enjoy that you've read and replied on my thread.  I don't know where you live but, I'm in Streetsboro, Ohio.  It is a suburb of Cleveland of which is a quick 35 to 45 minute drive.  They call Streetsboro the "Gateway" as the Ohio State Turnpike 80 and Route 14 leads into I-480 North.  Basically this means you can go east to New York or head out West.  

I feel if we were friends and neighbors we will definitely have fun making scale models as well as I cooking for you as I used to be a Executive Chef among my many exploits.  At the very least, we still can be friends via this forum.  

Once I read your tip, I utilized the technique.  I'm just waiting for the Testors "Clear Parts Cement and Window Maker" to dry.  I can't wait to see the end result.  

I too am retired and like you have more time than money.  My older brother said that the majority of the population have no money nor time.  At least we completed one aspect of this saying, and that's saying a lot.  Take care and thank you for this valuable information.

Your friend,

Toshi

On The Bench: Revell 1/48 B-25 Mitchell

 

Married to the most caring, loving, understanding, and beautiful wife in the world.  Mrs. Toshi

 

 

  • Member since
    January 2015
  • From: Tumwater, WA.
Posted by M. Brindos on Friday, April 17, 2015 3:15 PM

I've got the fuselage , tail, and lower wings assembled.  :)

You're probably a little farther than I am right now.   :)

- Mike Brindos "Lost Boy"

  • Member since
    September 2012
Posted by GMorrison on Friday, April 17, 2015 3:46 PM

Here's a tip, Toshi. The biggest usual fit hassle with aircraft models is where the upper wing halves meet the fuselage.

Try this when you get to the point where you will be adding the wings to the fuse. The lower half of the wing is one long piece, right? and the upper half is two- one each side. Glue each upper half to the side of the fuselage first, before you glue the bottom on. Get the joint between the top halves and the body nice and aligned Before it hardens too much, fit the lower half without glue and push things around a little if you have to. Worst case is you get a little misalignment around the edges, but thats easy to fix if its minor, or even ignore if it doesn't show from above.

 Modeling is an excuse to buy books.

 

  • Member since
    March 2015
  • From: Streetsboro, Ohio
Posted by Toshi on Friday, April 17, 2015 3:54 PM

To MBrindos,

I am currently working on the wings and the pre-prep of the P-40 for a mock camouflage dress rehearsal.  Oh boy, this will be the first time I've ever used an airbrush and placed a camouflage design on a aircraft.

On The Bench: Revell 1/48 B-25 Mitchell

 

Married to the most caring, loving, understanding, and beautiful wife in the world.  Mrs. Toshi

 

 

  • Member since
    March 2015
  • From: Streetsboro, Ohio
Posted by Toshi on Friday, April 17, 2015 4:20 PM

I will be utilizing the high end airbrush "Harder and Steenbeck" (Infinty) $332.50 as my first airbrush.  Mrs. Toshi gave me the ok.  I also have a high end compressor.  I should be good to go!

LOLOLOLOL!

Ya, right.  If I went out and made such a purchase, Mrs. Toshi will be yelling at me and threatening to place me in a asylum.  So here I have the Testors "Amazing Air Camoflouge Airbrush Paint Kit" #282510.  It comes with a airbrush.0, 5 types of camoflouge paint, 5 nozzles, quick change patented system, 1 propellant, 5 clip caps, 1 stencil sheet, 2 cleaning wires, and a instruction sheet.  We can only wait and see if this thing is even going to work.  LOL!

On The Bench: Revell 1/48 B-25 Mitchell

 

Married to the most caring, loving, understanding, and beautiful wife in the world.  Mrs. Toshi

 

 

  • Member since
    March 2015
  • From: Streetsboro, Ohio
Posted by Toshi on Friday, April 17, 2015 4:24 PM

To GMorrison,

I am at that juncture right now, this is perfect timing.  Yes, you are correct in the description of the wings of the P-40, hence I will follow your directions to the letter.  Thank you GMorrison.

Toshi

On The Bench: Revell 1/48 B-25 Mitchell

 

Married to the most caring, loving, understanding, and beautiful wife in the world.  Mrs. Toshi

 

 

  • Member since
    September 2012
Posted by GMorrison on Friday, April 17, 2015 6:02 PM

That is a new one on me, Chef.

But what the heck, give it a try. I started with propellant cans too.

I watched the Youtube thing, it's pretty straightforward. The obvious compromise is that you can't do thin lines and you can't really control the flow pressure. But I see some basic good points, mainly that unlike rattle cans you have control over the paint color and thickness. And it paints a stripe about an inch wide so you do have some control. Actually I could see this being pretty useful for car models.

Now, about the paint. It comes with some colors, and they are pre thinned out to work with this deal. But they are whatever color Testors felt like selling you. I'm not an AVG guy, so I don't know which greens and browns you need, but other folks sure will. And you do want to at least get close, plus the neutral gray bottom.

After you get the hang of this dude, I might suggest you do the following. Go buy four or five of the little square Testors bottles of thinner. Pour it into a bigger jar with a tight lid, like the maraschino cherries came in, and put that aside. Oh, and while you are there get a pack of their clear poly eye droppers.

Let the empty bottles air dry. This is now your paint mix collection. Get the enamel paint you need in the right color, or make some if you want. Pour a little into one of your clear bottles. Add thinner with your dropper until you get a consistency that seems to be like what they sold you, probably about like water or black coffee. Not the kind from Kona that you can stand up a spoon in, but more like the DnD stuff.

Shake it up and give it a try. If you can master that you'll have a pretty useful tool there.

My guess is that this stuff will take a while to dry, like a LONG while, days. But that's ok, there's plenty of other stuff to do.

Like look at pictures of restored P-40s online. I see there's quite a bit. My sister's mother-in-law, great lady, was a stewardess on Cathay Pacific right after the war and knew quite a few of the AVG guys.

 Modeling is an excuse to buy books.

 

  • Member since
    March 2015
  • From: Streetsboro, Ohio
Posted by Toshi on Friday, April 17, 2015 7:04 PM

To GMorrison,

This is a great idea, I will follow your directions to the T!  Not only can this work but it sounds very positive.  

I have the wings on the fuselage and it was assembled as you described.  It came out hassle free.  I did a dry fitting utilizing the instruction sheet and there was some really major and horrendous gaps.  All I have is a few areas that need some light putty and a very light sanding.  I don't want to destroy the raised panel lines.  I'll take some photos after dinner.  Thank you for the valuable information.

Toshi

On The Bench: Revell 1/48 B-25 Mitchell

 

Married to the most caring, loving, understanding, and beautiful wife in the world.  Mrs. Toshi

 

 

  • Member since
    March 2015
  • From: Streetsboro, Ohio
Posted by Toshi on Friday, April 17, 2015 7:14 PM

To MBrindos,

The only issue I have run into is the attachment of the wings to the fuselage.  There were some major gaps as I did a dry fitting.  GMorrison recommended that I try out this method in which he described as such.  I tried it his way and everything worked out perfect, there were minimal small gaps in which only a little putty was needed as well as some light sanding.  I am trying not to compromise the raised panel lines on the P-40 build.  Here is what GMorrison suggested.

"Try this when you get to the point where you will be adding the wings to the fuse. The lower half of the wing is one long piece, right? and the upper half is two- one each side. Glue each upper half to the side of the fuselage first, before you glue the bottom on. Get the joint between the top halves and the body nice and aligned Before it hardens too much, fit the lower half without glue and push things around a little if you have to. Worst case is you get a little misalignment around the edges, but thats easy to fix if its minor, or even ignore if it doesn't show from above. "

If you come across anything on your end just let me know.  Thank you in advance!

Toshi

On The Bench: Revell 1/48 B-25 Mitchell

 

Married to the most caring, loving, understanding, and beautiful wife in the world.  Mrs. Toshi

 

 

  • Member since
    March 2015
  • From: Streetsboro, Ohio
Posted by Toshi on Friday, April 17, 2015 7:28 PM

On The Bench: Revell 1/48 B-25 Mitchell

 

Married to the most caring, loving, understanding, and beautiful wife in the world.  Mrs. Toshi

 

 

  • Member since
    January 2015
  • From: Tumwater, WA.
Posted by M. Brindos on Friday, April 17, 2015 8:25 PM

I can see from your pictures that it was a good idea to get the upper wings on first. That would have saved me a little trouble. Alas, I have already glued on the lower wings, but I'm just going to go ahead and fill the gaps with sheet styrene. I'm going to start another thread for my build and you can pop in there and say hello  :)

When you see my pictures you'll see I'm not far behind you, but I've still got some work to do lol.

- Mike Brindos "Lost Boy"

  • Member since
    December 2013
Posted by jetmaker on Friday, April 17, 2015 11:26 PM

Man, this is really cool to watch! Toshi, you're awesome! And your pics alone have inspired me on new ways to use my Tamiya paint stand!

  • Member since
    February 2012
  • From: Olmsted Township, Ohio
Posted by lawdog114 on Friday, April 17, 2015 11:49 PM
Cool....I live in Parma and work in Hudson. Nice to someone else local. I'm digging your work too...

Joe

 "Can you fly this plane and land it?...Surely you can't be serious....I am serious, and don't call me Shirley"

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    March 2015
  • From: Streetsboro, Ohio
Posted by Toshi on Saturday, April 18, 2015 6:19 AM

To Jetmaker,

Thank you for your kind words, I'm very honored that you've enjoyed this thread.  What makes this exciting is MBrindos is building the exact R/M P-40 as well, check out his thread and especially the pilot.  How in the world he was able to paint eye balls and eye lashes and the rest of his face is beyond my comprehension.  I am also honored that forum members are reading and replying on my thread let alone leaving me with tips like GMorrison and many others to name a few.  Please except my apologies as my short term memory is affecting me to remember other forum members names.  

My short term memory is not what it used to be, Mrs. Toshi says that has not changed.  I still don't listen to her nor remember what she said, prior to and after my accident.  LOL!  At times, I do remember yet I just tell her I forgot and blame my accident, this gets me out of trouble all the time.  LOL!  What's not so funny is that she now writes things down.  Like a "Honey Do List".  Oh boy, in a marriage you just never win.  I've been wrong and blamed everything on myself for the 21 years we've been together, but it keeps peace in the house and I now get to make model airplanes to my hearts content.  

As for the Tamiya stand, it was my very first purchase.  I had no idea what in the world to do with it, I just thought oh, cool now I got something that I've never seen before and it's by Tamiya.  Here's a tip, I did modify the stand and the alligator clips by cutting thick pieces of rubber band, wrapping it around the metal and glueing the ends with CA.  Be sure not to get it glued to the metal.  Now the metal won't damage or scratch the stand and it acts as a non-slip metal to plastic surface.  Thank you for the read and reply.

Toshi

On The Bench: Revell 1/48 B-25 Mitchell

 

Married to the most caring, loving, understanding, and beautiful wife in the world.  Mrs. Toshi

 

 

  • Member since
    March 2015
  • From: Streetsboro, Ohio
Posted by Toshi on Saturday, April 18, 2015 6:51 AM

Here is a visual of the Tamiya stand metal modifications.

On The Bench: Revell 1/48 B-25 Mitchell

 

Married to the most caring, loving, understanding, and beautiful wife in the world.  Mrs. Toshi

 

 

  • Member since
    March 2015
  • From: Streetsboro, Ohio
Posted by Toshi on Saturday, April 18, 2015 6:52 AM

On The Bench: Revell 1/48 B-25 Mitchell

 

Married to the most caring, loving, understanding, and beautiful wife in the world.  Mrs. Toshi

 

 

  • Member since
    March 2015
  • From: Streetsboro, Ohio
Posted by Toshi on Saturday, April 18, 2015 6:53 AM

Wow, I love Kitty Kats but I have no idea where those two came from.  Meow?

On The Bench: Revell 1/48 B-25 Mitchell

 

Married to the most caring, loving, understanding, and beautiful wife in the world.  Mrs. Toshi

 

 

  • Member since
    March 2012
  • From: Corpus Christi, Tx
Posted by mustang1989 on Saturday, April 18, 2015 7:00 AM

Heya Toshi. Saw a P-40 build goin' on and figured I'd drop in to check it out. I've only heard about putting the upper wing on first and then saw it here. Man I wished I'da used that trick on my Eduard Fw190 build! lol. Lookin' good so far bud and those Tamiya paint stands are da bomb!! I just picked one up a few months ago. Will be watchin' your build bud, Joe 

                   

 Forum | Modelers Social Club Forum (proboards.com) 

  • Member since
    March 2015
  • From: Streetsboro, Ohio
Posted by Toshi on Saturday, April 18, 2015 8:01 AM

To Mustang 1989,

Thank you for the read and reply.  This is what makes this forum so much fun and educational as well.  Check out MBrindos's thread on his same exact scale model build as mine.  His P-40 is far beyond mines in fit and the proffesional quality he puts into it not to exclude his vast experience.

It was GMorrison that gave me that tip on the wing assembly process.  I've never heard nor executed in such a way of the attachment of a wing assembly to the fuselage.  It is inspirational at best not to mention working really well.

As for the Tamiya paint stand, I had no idea what it was for not to mention how to use it!  LOL!  I just asked Mrs. Toshi if I can purchase it, and she said go ahead if that's what you need.  I'll do anything for Mrs. Toshi she truly is the love of my life.  I think the paint stand stayed in its pristine condition for a month until I figured out on how to utilize it.  When I did, boy what a charm it was, Tamiya products are exceptional but expensive.  That's why we have Walmart in the good ole' USA.  Thanks for the read and reply.

Toshi

On The Bench: Revell 1/48 B-25 Mitchell

 

Married to the most caring, loving, understanding, and beautiful wife in the world.  Mrs. Toshi

 

 

  • Member since
    March 2012
  • From: Corpus Christi, Tx
Posted by mustang1989 on Saturday, April 18, 2015 8:03 AM

You got that at Walmart??

                   

 Forum | Modelers Social Club Forum (proboards.com) 

  • Member since
    August 2013
Posted by Jay Jay on Saturday, April 18, 2015 8:17 AM

Toshi,

Too bad I have moved from the Cleveland area.   I was born and raised in Cleveland, took music lessons in Parma ( for Lawdog ).  My last Ohio residence was in Elyria, on the far west side of Cleveland,   My wife and I decided about 7 years ago to retire to Wrinkle Clity , Florida wich is now where I reside and we consider the move to be the last stop before Paradise.

Funny how in Ohio, I modeled in the winter because of the cold weather.  Here in Daytona, I mostly model in the summer because it's too darn hot outside  LOL

 

 

 

 

 

 I'm finally retired. Now time I got, money I don't.

  • Member since
    March 2015
  • From: Streetsboro, Ohio
Posted by Toshi on Saturday, April 18, 2015 9:31 AM

To Jay Jay,

I know exactly where Elyria is, it's a very nice township out there.  My older brother lives in Celebration, Florida.  He too says this is his last move as well.  He is not really my older brother but we are that close that we consider it as such.  He grew up in Warren, Ohio.  His last residence was Chagrin Falls.  

Since this winter was so cold, starting to build scale models at home became very pleasant and made sense.  I've been to Florida many times and yes, the summers are smoking hot and uncomfortable but at the very least there's no winters that remotely resemble the winters in Ohio.

Currently, the weather is so nice that during the daytime and evening the entire house is opened up.  Yesterday's temperature was a very mild 58 degrees and sunny.  It felt like it was more towards the 65 to 70 degree temperature.  

Toshi

On The Bench: Revell 1/48 B-25 Mitchell

 

Married to the most caring, loving, understanding, and beautiful wife in the world.  Mrs. Toshi

 

 

  • Member since
    January 2015
  • From: Tumwater, WA.
Posted by M. Brindos on Saturday, April 18, 2015 11:55 AM

Toshi, you can do the eyes on your pilot too. I've used a 0.01 tip artist's pen. I just "dotted" the eyes and drew on the eyebrows. :)  

If you ever want to know how I did, well, anything, just ask me. I will be happy to share with you.  :)

- Mike Brindos "Lost Boy"

  • Member since
    March 2015
  • From: Streetsboro, Ohio
Posted by Toshi on Saturday, April 18, 2015 5:32 PM

To Mustang1989,

No, what I meant is that Walmart has cheap everything compared to everyone else.  I purchased the Tamiya paint stand at a place called Hobby Lobby.

Toshi

On The Bench: Revell 1/48 B-25 Mitchell

 

Married to the most caring, loving, understanding, and beautiful wife in the world.  Mrs. Toshi

 

 

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