Real quick question.  What are you using for a clear flat here?  I'm sure you've mentioned it a dozen times before, but if you don't mind dropping it once more here when you can.  =]

Great build Joe! =] Great shark mouth too.  The prop and cone look well put together as well.  You're right about that frankenstein you did a while back.  The blades just come off a little funny.  You must feel a little vindicated here.  And the landing gear are as sharp as any...really quite nice.

Hope you're back up and running soon.  =]

Great finish Joe! I always enjoy watching your kits come together.

Terrific build!

Awesome again, Joe. No clue you had any trouble with this from the finished pics.

Now make a compressor choice. I have a whole pantry full of popcorn waiting for your next project.

Turned out to be an incredible work of art.

Awesome build and the final product look incredible!

Groot

Beautiful work.  Beautiful finish.

Joe

What can I say after your compressor sacrificed itself in a blaze to glory to produce such a masterpiece!  

That thing is just incredible. You have motivated me to move my P-40 up the build list and get started on it soon. Simply fantastic work again, Joe. 

BK

 Absolutely gorgeous!!                                                knox

Your P-40 is really fantastic. Your fit, paint, weathering and attention to detail are simply stellar. You always turn out such remarkable workmanship and it is an absolute pleasure to get to watch you demonstrate that for us. Thank You very much for sharing your skills and techniques with us. It is indeed appreciated.

The best of luck and speed with getting your compressor issue taken care. We can't be going too long without some of that good Joe stuff going on here.

Cheers, Joe

Thanks Guys...Don't know what happened.  A few pics didn't post.  They're in there now...

Joe

Ya did it again Joe!! Seams or not , and oopsies or not she looks great to me!!! I always like watching your builds. You have it all down to a systematic strategy now. Great work man!

Oh that is beautiful, I love it!

Toshi

Going with done folks.  To recap its the Hasegawa P-40 E done in the markings of Col. Robert Scott's "Old Exterminator" in China in 1942.  Scott flew 388 combat missions shooting down 13 Japanese aircraft to become one of America's earliest flying aces of the war.  He was also the author of "god is my co-pilot". 

I won't rehash the plug issues.  Let's just say I rather throw myself down a flight of steps than deal with those again anytime soon.  A glance down the side of the fuselage and it looks like a bondo'ed Chevy...you'll have that I guess.  Another nit-pick is the sliding canopy, which I think sits too high.  I don't know why Hasegawa can't avoid this issue.  To be fair, some of the "issues" were probably my doing as others said they had no such problems.  I still have ghost seams on the lower wings my the MG ports.  You'll have that too. It is however the most detailed P-40 I've ever seen and only needed PE belts. 

Thanks for following.  My air compressor finally died so it could be a while before I start anything else.....

Joe

Fantastic paint work, Joe. You inspire me to keep at it so I can someday get mine looking this good.

BK

Wow.  Beautiful paint work.  Looks incredibly sharp.  I am always a sucker for those shark mouthed Hawks.  

Joe

You know...Shark Week starts today!! =D  If I hadn't just finished a damn P-40...I could be tempted to start another P-40 Group Build. lol

She's looking strong Joe.  Can't wait to see her finished.  Love the teeth! =]

That looks great, and there's just something about a bird with teeth!

Groot

Thanks Joe....indeed, I look forward to using this brand again.  They have a P-47 sheet I've been eyeing too...

Joe

Beautifully executed Joe. Your treatment of the OD is incredibly well done. I always enjoy your process as it seems to reap fabulous results. Isn't it a wonderful feeling that an excellent set of decals gives you? No fuss, no worries, just a an enjoyable experience putting them on.

Thanks guys....way too kind...but certainly appreciated.  Joe, off the top of my head, the N model was basically an attempt at lightening the P-40.  The most notable difference is the rear deck behind the pilot which was opened up with glass to help improve pilot visibility.  Some early N models did not have this feature though and it looked like the E still.   The N had a vent on both sides of the nose too.

I'm in for an update.  I managed to squeeze in some work to get this guy out of the way for the upcoming Battle of Britain GB (my favorite topic).  I got my mits on the new tooled Airfix Hurricane MK. I and Spitfire MK. I and I'm dying to dive in.  Anyways, here I sprayed Gunze Aqueous Olive Drab as a base, lightened it with XF-57 Buff (to stay in the brown family) and then added fading and condensation streaks.  I experimented until I thought it looked right.  Olive Drab id easy to overdo so I restrained myself. 

I added even more Buff to the paint then lightened the fabric control surfaces.  Once done, a post shade was added, it got a few coats of Alclad Gloss.  I decided on Col. Robert Scott's "Old Exterminator" and used the Barracuda Decals P-40 E sheet for the markings.  These were fantastic and I had no issues.  Even the Shark mouth conformed nicely.

I still have to add some stenciling and such but I'm getting there with this one.  I hope to wrap this one up soon. 

Joe

I can't wait to see what you do with the OD paint on the top.  If it's anything like your SDB it'll be a work of art.  I also agree with you that fabric fades faster than paint on metal and your weathering methods look just right to me.  Thanks for sharing!

Groot

I've just made a new challenge for myself...on my next build I'm going to try to do a cockpit that's half as good as the one's you turn out Joe! They always seem so alive. Can't wait to see her all dressed up! Keep up the great work!

-Andy

Joe, you nailed that gap behind the cockpit. I can only picture myself sitting there for hours staring at it, trying to figure out what to do. I can't wait to see more

Hey There Joe, Time for me to be dropping in on your P-40 and enjoy yet another fantastic demonstration. And fantastic it is so far. Gorgeous cockpit as usual and very good save on the plug gap. Speaking of the plug, I have the Hasegawa P-40N in my stash and I'm assuming it also has the plug to fit the N model. Can't quite recall the differences between the E & N off the top of my head right now. Anyway, It is a good heads up as to what I might encounter when I get into it.

The paint work is sharp. I tend to agree with you concerning fabric control surfaces. Most photos I see reveal some degree of tonal difference and it definitely adds to the overall appearance. Beautiful work so far. Keep it coming.

Ty so much for sharing your techniques.

I always follow your posts closely. They are a great learning tool for me and I am always in awe of your prowess.  

I tried my best on my P-40 to emulate your tutorials but alas, mine ain't near as good as yours, but better than I could've done without your excellent posts.

Thanks guys.  I am truly glad these WIPs are useful.  Brandon, aside from the inserts, its a great kit.  Patrick, I have sheets of styrene of different thicknesses. I just slice off the size needed to fill the gap...melted in there with Tenax (which is out of business now I'm told).  

I just decaled this turkey last night so I'll get some pics up soon.  

Joe