Airfix 1/48 P40b. First build in 20 years

I agree with Uncle Jay. That is a first kit back to be proud of.

Really nice Josh. You picked a great kit to build.  Airfix has come a long way in the past couple decades!

Hi, Josh -

Ya know, even discounting the 20 year lapse in experience, that is one nice looking P-40. Now, with the great examples in posts from other builders that do such fine work, you'll find that each model you complete will be better than the last one.

The constant improvement as experience grows, is the real satisfaction in the hobby for me. I hope we'll see more posts and photos from you, what'cha got in mind for your next build???

Thanks for showing us this one, I like it.

Patrick

I agree with the others. Your build looks great. The main thing you have to remember is that this is your hobby and you are the person that has to be pleased with the build. If you are pleased, that's what counts.

Your skill will increase as you build more. Keep at it, you're off to a great start.

Jim  

That turned out nice!  No sticky finger prints ;)  welcome back.

That's a fine job on that kit.  

Very nicely done Sir! Would be proud to have that clean looking build on my shelf!

patrick206

The constant improvement as experience grows, is the real satisfaction in the hobby for me. I hope we'll see more posts and photos from you, what'cha got in mind for your next build???

Thanks for showing us this one, I like it.

Patrick

 

Thanks to everyone for the positive comments! I'm glad I seem to have managed a good start back to the hobby.

I think thats a good comment Patrick, in regards to enjoying your better results as your skill set grows and I would feel much along the same lines. I quite enjoy the challenge.

As for further projects Im waiting for my Hasegawa 1/48 zero to arrive, fingers crossed this week. Ill put up a specific thread but does anyone know why the separate colour schemes of green or grey? 

I also wanted to do a memphis belle and had purchased the Airfix B17G on a whim and a decal kit, not thinking about the fact the Belle was a B17F. Im thinking now its purchased I may kit bash her back to a B17F and carry on. It will require filling a few gaps but shouldn't  be too difficult. 

Thanks everyone! 

Josh

Josh that is a lot of surgery to kit bash the G to an F , but would make a very intresting build thread! The waist guns on later G models are staggered where as the F waist gunner positions are at the same station on the Fuse ,not sure if thats the case with the G kit you have 

TREYZX10R

Josh that is a lot of surgery to kit bash the G to an F , but would make a very intresting build thread! The waist guns on later G models are staggered where as the F waist gunner positions are at the same station on the Fuse ,not sure if thats the case with the G kit you have 

 

Yes you're right and it seems to be the case. Not to mention the addition of a lower and upper turret, larger tailgunner position. Ive gone over quite a few pictures of the restored  Belle so theres some good reference. As you say though it will be a lot of surgery but looking at the pieces and a scale of ( dont quote me this second) 1/72 the 'to be filled' areas arent that big. 

Its a lovely kit however, well detailed and after how positive I found this airfix p40 kit to go together Im thinking its worth the effort. Maybe Im mad!

Speaking of the Zero and the P-40 in the same post brings to mind a really old memory to me.  I was just getting started in model kits during WW2.  Trying stick and tissue balsa models, and hadn't managed to complete one yet- not good enough reader to read the instructions well.

A cereal- I think it was Kix- offered paper model kits of the Zero and P-40.  These were flying models (gliders) that used a penny for noseweight.  I did complete that model, the P-40, and it actually flew.  For a long time I had believed that a Guillows Aeronca (stick & tissue) was my first completed kit, but I realized today that the paper p-40 was my first completion.  Anyone else remember those Kix paper kits?

Josh_the_painter

 

 

TREYZX10R

Josh that is a lot of surgery to kit bash the G to an F , but would make a very intresting build thread! The waist guns on later G models are staggered where as the F waist gunner positions are at the same station on the Fuse ,not sure if thats the case with the G kit you have 

 

 

 

 

Yes you're right and it seems to be the case. Not to mention the addition of a lower and upper turret, larger tailgunner position. Ive gone over quite a few pictures of the restored  Belle so theres some good reference. As you say though it will be a lot of surgery but looking at the pieces and a scale of ( dont quote me this second) 1/72 the 'to be filled' areas arent that big. 

Its a lovely kit however, well detailed and after how positive I found this airfix p40 kit to go together Im thinking its worth the effort. Maybe Im mad!

 

I say go for it! No you're not Mad just ambitious and that is a good thing in this hobby, if we all took the easy way it would'nt be as fun!

lawdog114

Very well done. I wish my first build when I return to the hobby looked like that. You picked a great kit to start with too. Only one possible suggestion I can think of is maybe some dull cote to knock down the shine a bit. But that of course is personal preference. If you’re going for authenticity, Hasegawa makes the type 21 zero you will be looking for your diorama. It even comes with pearl harbor markings.

Thanks everybody for the comments!

Lawdog I'll have to look into the dull coat. The majority of products out there are new to me, hence I cleared using a Wurth aerosol which is pretty flat but as you pointed out has a definite sheen. At the least it makes a solid surface to put a final flat clear over.

You mention the Hasegawa type 21 and luckily thats the model I ordered. Unluckily it hasn't arrived from Japan yet and is getting a bit drawn out now. Another week and I'll be chasing I think. I ordered it the same time as the p40! 

I hoped the Hasegawa zero would have the correct markings for the pearl attack so that's good to know thank you. Ive been trying to research the colour and seems for the pearl attack should be light grey or an odd shade light green. Hopefully as I progress on its own thead someone can shed some light for me. I dont necessarily need it perfect but in the direction of being somewhat correct in build appearance I would like.

TREYZX10R, I think you have convinced me to go ahead haha.

Don, Im glad the thread can bring up some memories for you. I read about how basic early models were. Id be interested to hear a bit more about them?

Josh

For future reference, the Type 21 can be found on ebay pretty cheap. If yours is a different release, let me know.  I have some spare PH markings in my decal stash.  Your welcome to them.  For the color your looking for, called "Ame-Hiro", I use Tamiya XF-76 which is supposed to be close. AK Interactive Real Colors has it now too. Good Luck.       

lawdog114

For future reference, the Type 21 can be found on ebay pretty cheap. If yours is a different release, let me know.  I have some spare PH markings in my decal stash.  Your welcome to them.  For the color your looking for, called "Ame-Hiro", I use Tamiya XF-76 which is supposed to be close. AK Interactive Real Colors has it now too. Good Luck.       

 

Thank you That's very kind. We will see what decals eventuate with the kit. 

I appreciate the colour reference, seems theres so much deliberation on what the shade should be, not too many people are happy suggesting a colour for fear of being wrong.

Josh