|
Post by ZacYates on May 15, 2017 9:33:01 GMT 12
Hi all, I've never really been a fan of the early, long-nosed P-40s but when Airfix announced their 1/48 kit I decided it looked too good to miss out on. So I bought one and built it using the kit decals for George Welch's Pearl Harbor machine which, coincidentally, is the same markings as Rod Lewis had AK295 restored in by AvSpecs. I never got to see it fly, although I did get to see it during restoration while in Auckland for the March 2011 Forum Meet: Because I was building a restored aircraft it made colour matching/references infinitely easier - particularly because of Gavin's first book. As a rsesult I had a bunch of high-quality photos at my fingertips to check various little details. The big cockpit photo was an especially big help. At the beginning of the year it was almost done, but I had a dust disaster when clear-coating the canopy and windscreen. Cue a long wait for Airfix to get the spares in stock - they then sent the whole clear sprue instead of just the two bits I asked for, thank you Airfix! - and then she was finished. This kit had me smiling quite often because it was a literal joy to build. Beautiful fit, lovely detail, and a good price to boot. Bravo Airfix. Bring on the Sea Fury and Phantom! She looks right at home with my growing collection of 1/48 warbirds, some of which folk here may recognise: I used the kit decals (still need an extra stencil for the tail to match AK295), Tamiya acrylics throughout (main scheme XF-62 over I think XF-53) followed by Humbrol Glosskote and then Humbroll Satinkote.
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on May 15, 2017 10:34:50 GMT 12
We had a Forum Meet at Avspecs in March 2011? I have no memory of that.
|
|
|
Post by ZacYates on May 15, 2017 12:27:26 GMT 12
It was at Dairy Flat, but I somehow found myself at Ardmore. My memory's fuzzy as to how that happened!
|
|
|
Post by planecrazy on May 15, 2017 14:17:51 GMT 12
Lovely model and nice collection Zac, last winter I was fortunate to do what had been a must do for many years and visit Hawaii, hunted down the airstrip where the two P40's got off from to take on and shoot down some of the attacking Japanese. rnzaf.proboards.com/thread/24335/haleiwa-fighter-strip
|
|
|
Post by ZacYates on May 17, 2017 8:29:52 GMT 12
Thanks! It's a lovely model to build.
And thanks for the tour, very interesting.
|
|
|
Post by kiwiduster1 on May 17, 2017 9:45:02 GMT 12
Nice job Zac and a nice growing collection there !!
|
|
|
Post by ZacYates on May 17, 2017 16:52:50 GMT 12
I've rather more in 1/72...
|
|
|
Post by kiwiduster1 on May 17, 2017 19:35:21 GMT 12
MMMM Modellers nightmare!! More room more room !!! You are running out fast Zac !!
|
|
|
Post by ZacYates on May 18, 2017 10:54:00 GMT 12
Out of respect for others' sensitivities I haven't shown the three boxes full of older builds under The Bench ;-)
|
|
|
Post by dewobz on May 20, 2017 9:25:32 GMT 12
I know the feeling Zac. Nice P-40 build and good to hear feedback on the new Airfix kit as well. Cheers Wally.
|
|
|
Post by flyjoe180 on May 24, 2017 15:18:42 GMT 12
Great job on your P-40 Zac
|
|