Revell P-40

If I remember this part of the kit correctly, the outside surface of the cowl panels are simply larger than the corresponding opening. I think they're just plain a bit too big.

Remember, this is a 60's kit, and operating features on static models were at the height of their popularity at that time. The kit has a "fully detailed" engine and can be exposed from both sides. Perhaps the slightly large cowl panels were engineered purposely to ease the removal of same.

And the gaps in the wings aren't caused by any inverse transference because of an uneven mating surface. You can actually see daylight through these gaps, lots of it. (This I remember very well, as opposed to the rest of the kit!)

It's just a plain bad fit. You could stretch the fuselage width at the wingroots with an internal spreader, but that would put strain on the fuselage seams and throw the alignment of the mating surfaces way off. The only viable choice, again, is to fill it with plastic stock, strip, card or whatever you wanna use.

Despite it's good points, it's really, overall, a kinda ugly kit. And it pains me to say that, 'cuz I'm Mr.P-40!

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Can't you simply sand the INSIDE of the cowl panels?, then you won't lose any detail. wet n dry wrapped around a dowel will keep the curvature about right.
Isn't this an old kit?, if so then the detail may be too heavy (rivets/panel lines etc) in which case losing a little won't hurt. As for the wing fit problem, I assume the inner edges that butt up to the fuselage aren't level, so you get a gap at the top & none underneath. You could thin the lower part, or add card to the upper part to get them equal.

Thanks for the tips guys. I'll let you know what happens and try to post some pics.

It's, okay. It has alotta inaccuracies, but in some areas it's right on the money. It's the only game in town if you want a plastic kit of a 32nd P-40. There's a resin job out there of a Tomahawk, but $$$ and not readily available as far as I know. I think the manufacturer went out of business.

Hold on for a while, though, DJ. If I remember correctly, a 32nd P-40 (I wanna say a Tomahawk) was amongst the list of new releases by Trumpeter, along with a 48th kit. Just hope they don't drop the ball as with the Wildcat.

And there have been rumours that a P-40 (scale?) is on the way from another well known outfit. As far as I know they are just that, RUMOURS. But if they're true, given this particular manufacturer's track record as regards quality, then I cannot wait to get my hands on a dozen of them.

Where'd I put the Olive Drab and Neutral Gray...

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Is this 1/32 kit any good (other than the gaps?)... I would not mind having one of those in my collection. Saw one the other day on e-Bay so I must assume they are still plenty around.

Yes it's the 1/32nd kit. i am having similar trouble with the 1/32nd Typhoon but not any where near as bad.

I am having the same problems with my Revell 1/48 scale P40-B. I am going to try some gap filling glue and a little green squadron putty. The raised detail surface is what concerns me though.

Thanks.
Tom

Fitter,,

Did I really sell you a 32nd P-40 back in the day? I musta had a dozen more at home...

Mr.P-40

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Blackwolf:

Oh, so THAT'S why you sold me your old kit years ago...

(I never did build it, but you had already glued the engine parts together)

FITTER

Claymore,

Is this the 1/32 kit?

As for the gaps in the wingroot, when I have a problem like that I usually use plastic strip to fill it. I'll glue a bunch of strip on to either side of each mating area (the wing or the fuselage - wherever there's more surface area) and build it up until the wings won't fit at all.

Then I carefully sand it down until, bit by bit, it'll fit in nice and snug. I usually reinforce the strip underneath with some CA, then glue the whole affair together and sand smooth any protruding plastic as well as using a bit of filler putty as needed. I actually wind up using alotta Mr Surfacer, made by Gunze Sangyo. This is great stuff.

If it is the 32nd kit, I think I know what the problem is that you're describing with the cowl panels. The top edge of each sits too high and doesn't conform to the curvature of the rest of the forward upper fuselage? Do I have this right? If that is the problem, your only choice would be to simply sand it to the correct curvature.

The easiest way would be to glue it and sand it down. Restoring lost surface detail could be a b**** 'cuz it's raised and there's a buncha nice little rivets in there, if I recall the kit correctly.

I this isn't the problem, or you need more help and/or a better explanation, give a hollar! Luck!

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