P-40 Warhawk Forums

I have recently received a couple of inquiries as to the progress on the P-40F/L Conversion. Well, I just received a bit of an update with pictures from Derek Bradshaw who is preparing the masters. I don't have clearance to post the pictures and the details, but I will say this-- the conversion is coming along splendidly. I am continually impressed by the level of work and detail going into this conversion. Derek is a true master! I was particularly impressed by the level of interior detail going into this conversion. I still say that this will be, without a doubt, the best Merlin-powered Warhawk in any scale, whether kit or conversion. Believe me when I say you will not be disappointed in this conversion.

When will it hit the market?-- I would estimate it will be available in the next couple of months. That being said, please remember that Derek is working on it when time allows, and it could be delayed. I believe it will be marketed by Grey Matter Figures in the UK. I don't know whether they will have an outlet or distributor in the US. If not, you should be able to order it directly from Grey Matter.

And if you want to get an early start on your P-40F/L project, don't forget that Eli Raphael of Zotz Decals has the 1/32 scale MTO P-40F/L decals already available which were designed for this conversion. They are superb as well. You can see Mark Joyce's review of these decals below.

Now, you ask-- why am I pitching this? No, I have no financial stake at all in this. I did assist both Eli and Derek in getting this project underway, and I simply would like to see a good Merlin-powered Warhawk in 1/32 scale... and it looks like that is going to happen! 
   
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For those that have been asking and emailing me about the coming P-40F/L conversion in 1/32 scale, Derek Bradshaw, the gentleman doing the masters has posted some pictures over at the LSP site. Here is a link--

http://forum.largescaleplanes.com/index.php?showtopic=29194

The P-40F/L decals for this conversion are already available from Zotz decals. They are as nice as the conversion will be.

Again, I have no financial interest in these items, except I did help provide info to Derek and Eli of Zotz Decals-- all in an effort to make available an excellent 1/32 Merlin-powered Warhawk.

Looks good!


p.s.  Did he have to reposition the exhaust openings?

I am not sure that he had to reposition the exhaust openings.  As I understand, the master for the upper and lower nose sections were not made from the Hasegawa nose parts.  To get the correct shape, I believe Derek used some parts from other kits and then heavily laminated plastic, which was then shaped to the desired correct shape.  However, the exhaust openings were taken off the Hasegawa kit and put on the new nose so the modeler could use the Hasegawa exhausts with the conversion-- at least that is my understanding of what is going on.

Thanks for the information and link, Bill.  The conversion looks outstanding so far!

Mark

Hi Vince,

I did have to reposition them (they are not parallel either - they are slightly inclined!).

Regards

Derek

Bill is correct. The background to this particular nose conversion is that Vasko Barbic (Warbird productions) had originally created the single piece P-40F/L nose (many years ago) by heavily converting the Revell P-40E item. This was intended to be a 'one-off' conversion for personal use, and was not originally intended for general production.

However, Vasko decided that he wanted to make it into a production item, and asked me to complete it and adapt/modify it to fit the newer Hasegawa P-40 kits. This is what I am doing. Unfortunately, I had ecountered problems in preparing his original nose for production during the modification process, which has forced me to almost completely rebuild the nose - which is where I am at present.

Hope that clarifies things a little.

Regards

Derek

For the benefit of the forum, here are a few pictures of WIP...

(http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z135/Derek-Bradshaw_2007/Intakematrix12-4-2010027.jpg)
(http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z135/Derek-Bradshaw_2007/Intakematrix12-4-2010028.jpg)
(http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z135/Derek-Bradshaw_2007/Intakematrix12-4-2010029.jpg)
(http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z135/Derek-Bradshaw_2007/Intakematrix12-4-2010030.jpg)
(http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z135/Derek-Bradshaw_2007/Intakematrix12-4-2010033.jpg)

Regards

Derek

Derek,
That explains a lot.  I was completely confused why you wouldn't have used the Hasegawa top engine panels.

Don't forget to fill the "scallop" at the aft end of the exhaust openings.  This was only on the P-40E.

Vince

No problems Vince. I am working from a Revell orignated pattern, which was made for the Revell P-40E kit - It is too narrow where it meets the cockpit, so I had to widen it and modify it to match the Hasegawa kit (I have may more pictures, but I have not posted them, which is why you will have visulise how the nose looked before I chopped it into pieces). I could have utilised the Hasegawa cowl top, but it would have been like piecing a jigsaw together - then I would still have to remove the intake scoop and extend it in length!

Actually, the short-tail F had the scallops, as well as the round/tubular exhausts, like the D/E models.  Since one of the markings on Eli's sheet is a short-tail ("Miss Fury"), to do it accurately the scallops would have to remain.  I believe Hasegawa includes parts to fill in this area for the later P-40 marks; at least Hasegawa does for the 48th scale kits.  Perhaps these same parts could be used for the resin nose?

Derek, thanks for posting the photos.  Keep up the good work!

Regards,

Mark

Hi Mark,

Thanks for the comments. I intend tomake seperate scallops, but if Hasegawa do actually provide these as seperate items, I would very much welcome a couple! (maybe someone can confirm this? - Looking at the kit breakdown for these parts, they would maybe, or should be, supplied as completely alternative items to my mind?).

Cheers

Derek

Hmmm.
My mistake about the scallops.   Yes, indeed, the early "F" model had them.

Derek, was the Merlin nose longer that the Allison nose on the real aircraft?

Derek, et al,
I just looked at my Hasegawa P-40N kit and I noticed that they include a separate exhaust panel without the "scallop".  It is on parts tree "E".  In fact, it is the only item on parts tree "E".  I assume that the P-40E kit has the scallop in its exhaust panel, but I don't have an example of the P-40E kit in front of me to confirm this.  I am assuming that Derek is working from a P-40E kit.  Regardless, it does not look like there are separate scallop inserts. 
Bill M.

That's looking really great Derek!  A good number of years ago I tried converting the Revell to a L which didn't go all that good, there really is a tremendous amount of work involved in this and finding accurate drawings isn't all that easy either.  I have some factory drawings of the nose as well if they would ever help.

Vince/Bill,

It is as I thought then, a seperate - and different - piece. I have already decided to add seperate scallop pices to the pattern, so that modellers will have a choice.

Regards

Derek

Hello Brad?,

Thank you (and everyone else) for the very kind compliments, they are very much appreciated. Thank you also for the very kind offer of looking into your technical drawings - I am certain that I shall require additional expert advice as I proceed through the various P-40 master patterns in the future! ;)

Cheers

Derek

Yep, it's me, Brad.  I used to be one of the editors on LSP.

I have a number of factory drawings that I could e-mail you, please e-mail me at

wolf427@comcast.net

I can then get the drawings to you.

Hello Brad,

I thought that it was you! (please send my regards to Vernon as well). E-mail will be on its mway to you presently. I am working on the under fudelage fairing from the back or the radiatoe matrix to the wing front spar at present, and I am looking for any technical or good pictures of the transverse pivot shaft pick ups for the flap operating levers that is located at the aft lower cowl attachment position (see my e-mail).

Best regards and thanks

Derek

I saw the news about the pending release of the Hasegawa 1/32 Kittyhawk Mk.I/MK.III kit.  This is good news for those wishing to do this conversion to a P-40F/L.  As this kit covers both the Kittyhawk Mk. I (P-40E) and the Mk. III (P-40M), this kit should offer both short and long tails, both round and fishtail exhausts, and both windshields, with or without the left-side vent windows.  Thus this kit can be used to build any variation of the P-40F/L.  Because of all the parts options that should be in the kit, this should be the best option to start on the conversion.

For those following the progress of the 1/32 P-40F/L conversion, Derek Bradshaw posted some new information and pictures of the progress he is making on the masters over at the LSP.  It looks like it is close to being finished!  Here is a link--
http://forum.largescaleplanes.com/index.php?showtopic=29194

Thanks for that Bill. Most of my updates will appear on LSP first, so Bill's link will be useful. Life is keeping me way too busy at the moment, but normal service should be resumed during this Month, so stay tuned!

Derek

Hi Derek,

That area behind the lower cowling on a P-40F has always been a bit of a mystery to me as there just aren't many good photos of it!  Good luck.

Also, I suggest the front "lip" of the cowling needs to be sharper.  It looks a little fat in the photos.

Vince

Hello vince,

You are correct, there really is very little information with regard to what actually lies behind the radiator on these aircraft! As for the intake lip, both the pattern and the real aircraft are very deceptive to the eye as far as shape is concerned (not helped a great deal by the white plastic in my pictures providing a distorted view). The lip itself has a small radius at its edge, but quite a fat curvature as it follows the lower line of the cowl fairing (I sometimes think that mine may not be fat enough);this gives the lower nose its distinctive 'jutting' shape. This pattern is a major rework of one started by Vasko Barbic of Warbird Productions, so I am limited to some extent as to how much it can be reshaped, and I have kept the overall shape and dimensions as Vasko originally produced them.

Thanks

Derek

For those who have been asking about and following the progress on the soon-to-be-released 1/32 P-40F/L conversion, the master pattern maker, Derek Bradshaw has posted some pictures over on the LSP forum. Here is a link--

http://forum.largescaleplanes.com/index.php?showtopic=29194&pid=270259&st=45entry270259

It is looking good!... and it is looking close to completion!
Bill M.

Derek,
I saw the photos of the master pattern mocked up with a Hasegawa kit.
Bravo on a job well done.  It's the best Merlin P-40 conversion I have ever seen!

 ;D

Thanks Vince (and everyone else) for the very kind comments. The master pattern is now with Grey Matter Figures and I am currently working on an instruction sheet for the conversion.

Regards

Derek

Excellent job on the conversion Derek!  I saw some pictures of it reviewed on LSP, it's a great addition.  Will this conversion also fit the old Revell P-40E?

Thanks Brad, that is very kind of you. When Vasko Barbic first made this nose, it was designed for the Revell P-40E kit, but I completely re-worked it to fit the Hasegawa kit, which is a fair bit wider than the Revell kit in fuselage cross-section. However, the resin upper engine cowl is quite thick, so it may be possible sand it down sufficiently enough to fit the Hasegawa kit? (I have not tried this, but it may work - You'd have to re-scribe it afterwards though).

HTH

Derek