SPA Modeler

Well, aside from waiting for some EZ Line to arrive so that I can add an antenna wire, I am calling this one done. This build was a good learning experience for planning to improve a few more AMT P-40s that are in my stash. But I won’t be tacking those anytime soon.















and with the Me-109F that I built last summer. Although these two exact aircraft may or may not have met in combat, their units did starting in August of 42

For an ageing AMT kit it looks as if there have been no fit problems, Carlos. Very nice one!
I have the new Airfix kit around here, waiting to get started.

Congratulations, Carlos! This was a very inspiring build of an incredible subject (uh oh, rolling brownout means I'm on battery backup) and I want to thank you for showcasing this build as well as last year's Airfix 109 Trop. You really have successfully followed your mandate to showcase the best features of these vintage kits.

Thank you guys. It was nice to get something finished, in a relatively quick fashion... for me nowadays...

Thomas_M wrote:

For an ageing AMT kit it looks as if there have been no fit problems, Carlos. Very nice one!
I have the new Airfix kit around here, waiting to get started.

Thomas, no, this kit really has no fit problems. At least no major ones that cannot be identified in test fitting and dealt with accordingly. But then I again, I bought this as a new release long ago, so it was not an old mold. I need to pick up one of the new Airfix B/C model P-40s myself. They look great in the box and built.

speedgraflex wrote:Congratulations, Carlos! This was a very inspiring build of an incredible subject (uh oh, rolling brownout means I'm on battery backup) and I want to thank you for showcasing this build as well as last year's Airfix 109 Trop. You really have successfully followed your mandate to showcase the best features of these vintage kits.

Bruce, I think the subject really came to shine thru the research that I put in for this one. It added that aspect of tribute for the airmen of that Group for that time and place in history. And of course it was only natural to pose it alongside the opposition.

BlackSheep214 wrote:

Thank you Blacksheep for taking the time to look in and leave this feedback. I do appreciate that!

Sorry for being late with my comments Carlos but that looks cracking – I think you’ve captured the beaten up desert bird perfectly. I love the dual shot – they’re a great pair.

I find the mix of markings really interesting. I know they did a lot of that kind of thing in North Africa – a lot of FAA aircraft had stars painted over their roundels.

Great stuff!

Regards

Stuart

Very nice build Stik!

I love especially the dustmarks around and behind the landinggears (and also on under the stabilizers)


- Kari

very nice work

Wow! First off this is some very good work Carlos! Secondly, I can't get over the crisp panel lines on this AMT kit.

You know up until about 2 years ago I always had a bad view towards AMT kits, especially in the auto world, but the more I work with them the better they are. Lots of detail and good fit. I severely under estimated them.

Thank you guys!

portman wrote:Sorry for being late with my comments Carlos but that looks cracking – I think you’ve captured the beaten up desert bird perfectly. I love the dual shot – they’re a great pair.

I find the mix of markings really interesting. I know they did a lot of that kind of thing in North Africa – a lot of FAA aircraft had stars painted over their roundels.

Great stuff!

Regards

Stuart

Stuart, there is a reason and interesting tale behind the US markings on FAA aircraft during Operation Torch. Mostly having to do with the Royal Navy firing upon the French Fleet after the 1940 armistice. It was thought that Vichy French pilots would be less likely to fire upon US forces than British due to bad blood after that event. It didn’t of course quite play out that way during the opening days of Torch.

KSaarni wrote:Very nice build Stik!

I love especially the dustmarks around and behind the landinggears (and also on under the stabilizers)


- Kari

Thanks. During my research for this build I came across some photos of this unit taking off in the Western Desert, and the amount of dust thrown up was significant!

mustang1989 wrote:Wow! First off this is some very good work Carlos! Secondly, I can't get over the crisp panel lines on this AMT kit.

You know up until about 2 years ago I always had a bad view towards AMT kits, especially in the auto world, but the more I work with them the better they are. Lots of detail and good fit. I severely under estimated them.

Joe, AMT kits, at least their 1/48 aircraft can run the full spectrum. Their 70’s era original moldings are pretty weak. Poor interiors, and heavy canopies & thick raised panel lines. But the overall shape is decent, and they had kits nobody else did. They also have some old late 70s/early 80s ARII/Otaki molds and ESCI molds that have those companies strengths and weaknesses. Much better than their own original stuff. And lastly, in the 90s they came out with their own mold, new tool P-40, A-20, and F7F kit families. Recessed panel lines, decent interiors, and good kits that can be fine tuned into gorgeous builds. Definitely worth building!