P-40 Warhawk Forums

P-40 Warhawk Forums => P-40 Models => Topic started by: Vince_M on August 01, 2021, 03:11:41 AM



Title: 1/72 Special Hobby RAAF 76 Sqdn. P-40N
Post by: Vince_M on August 01, 2021, 03:11:41 AM
This Special Hobby 1/72 kit is a real gem.  They are accurate and appear to be easy to build as well.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51347305412_3cee8a22f4_c.jpg)

Of course, I should do it out of the box and avoid...well avoid being me!
But I have already started fiddling.
I have a couple of the True Details cockpit kits for the old Hasegawa kit.
Look how closely it matches the kit sidewalls.  Also they are much thinner.
Should be easy to get them to fit!

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51348270503_5a833acd07_c.jpg)


Title: Re: 1/72 Special Hobby P-40N
Post by: Mark Joyce on August 03, 2021, 09:33:38 PM
I've built the "E" and feel these new Special Hobby kits are the best P-40 kits in any scale for exactly the reasons you mention.  I wish Special Hobby would re-tool its "F/L" kit, which is definitely earlier-generation and not nearly as refined.


Title: Re: 1/72 Special Hobby P-40N
Post by: Vince_M on August 03, 2021, 10:01:29 PM
  I wish Special Hobby would re-tool its "F/L" kit, which is definitely earlier-generation and not nearly as refined.

I also have some of those earlier P-40F/L kits from SH.
You are right...they are not bad but the nose is still not quite right.
No model kit has ever gotten that right.
I have plans to do a resin nose for these new Special Hobby kits.
That is...whenever I get more spare time...   Ugh...


Title: Re: 1/72 Special Hobby P-40N
Post by: Vince_M on November 22, 2021, 02:57:51 AM

I am amazed at the fit of the True Details sidewall parts which were designed for the old Hasegawa kit!
Seems more than a coincidence.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51696319300_b794e40536_b.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51695705113_34b0e3c9d8_b.jpg)

These are the resin wheels upgrade kit from Eduard "Brassin" line.
Beautiful fine detail that I hope I can preserve with some careful painting:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51695425416_44ea6cee95_b.jpg)

I also plan to use this old Eduard photoetch set also made for the Hasegawa.
It has some useful parts too.  I might do an open ammo bay just for a change of pace.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51696319385_228d4ea37e_b.jpg)


Title: Re: 1/72 Special Hobby P-40N
Post by: Mark Joyce on November 23, 2021, 09:17:04 AM
Looks like you're off to a good start, Vince!  Have you decided on which markings for it?


Title: Re: 1/72 Special Hobby P-40N
Post by: Vince_M on November 29, 2021, 11:55:54 AM
I have an old Micro Scale decal sheet with a 76 sq RAAF kittyhawk.
Here is an old thread about this plane:

https://ww2aircraft.net/forum/threads/done-finished-kittyhawk-iv-curtiss-p-40n-raaf-76-sqn-g-sv-a29-1140-group-build.18592/ (https://ww2aircraft.net/forum/threads/done-finished-kittyhawk-iv-curtiss-p-40n-raaf-76-sqn-g-sv-a29-1140-group-build.18592/)


Title: Re: 1/72 Special Hobby RAAF 76 Sqdn. P-40N
Post by: Vince_M on December 30, 2021, 11:50:14 PM
I have noticed that the RAAF in particular used a "double wide" belly tank.  I have not seen any USAAF or RAF P-40s using them.  One can assume that as the Japanese were pushed back, they needed more range.  As I recall the Aussies were pissed that they were given second line role...so much so that some of their top pilots resigned.

Special Hobby included a wide tank in the kit but they only made the tail end of the tank wider.  It's incorrect.
So I took a part from my spares box and modified it myself.  It was a belly tank from an old Hasegawa kit I built in the late 80s.

Here is a pic of the bad one included in the kit:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51787625358_bb0dcd65e8_b.jpg)

Now a pic of mine prior to primer and just before I added the "seam" around the circumference.  That was difficult.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51786564657_8f23f7e418_b.jpg)

Here it is with a coat of primer.  I'm trying to figure out what color to paint it.  Should it be an aluminum paint or neutral gray???

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51787999444_fa3802449b_b.jpg)








Title: Re: 1/72 Special Hobby RAAF 76 Sqdn. P-40N
Post by: Vince_M on January 16, 2022, 02:02:52 AM
Hi all,
Today I installed some ammo bay detail I got from that Eduard photoetch sheet (from the early 90s).
I used black paint and bare metal foil to detail it before gluing it in here:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51822930475_ee043750f8_b.jpg)


Title: Re: 1/72 Special Hobby RAAF 76 Sqdn. P-40N
Post by: P-40 Admin on January 27, 2022, 06:06:48 PM
That's some nice detail in such a small scale


Title: Re: 1/72 Special Hobby RAAF 76 Sqdn. P-40N
Post by: Vince_M on January 28, 2022, 09:31:43 PM
Thanks!
I painted the bullets black and then sanded the protruding detail to expose the brass.  It worked perfectly.
Bare metal foil was used to represent the other portions with my carefully cutting out the bullet detail on the feed chutes.
I was worried about the two different metals corroding each other so I painted the brass with a layer of Future floor gloss.
Hope that does it...


Title: Re: 1/72 Special Hobby RAAF 76 Sqdn. P-40N
Post by: Vince_M on January 29, 2022, 07:45:12 AM
Here is the decal sheet I'm using.  This was the first decal sheet I ever bought...about 40 years ago.
I've already done four planes from this sheet so I'd say I got my money's worth eh?

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51847909418_05c07c0826_b.jpg)


Title: Re: 1/72 Special Hobby RAAF 76 Sqdn. P-40N
Post by: Mark Joyce on January 29, 2022, 10:52:36 PM
Splendid work so far, Vince!  I have that decal sheet too.  If I recall correctly, I used its markings for Joel Paris' P-40N on my build of his plane.


Title: Re: 1/72 Special Hobby RAAF 76 Sqdn. P-40N
Post by: P-40 Admin on February 18, 2022, 07:24:37 PM
Nice markings!


Title: Re: 1/72 Special Hobby RAAF 76 Sqdn. P-40N
Post by: Vince_M on February 21, 2022, 11:19:15 AM
Small update.
This is the pilot seat from the old Eduard Photoetch.
It might not be exactly right for P-40N but it has a square back so that was good enough.
The belts are from the old Reheat photo etch sheet.

My eyes are struggling with 1/72.  I love the kit tho.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891159532_c51590a529_c.jpg)


Title: Re: 1/72 Special Hobby RAAF 76 Sqdn. P-40N
Post by: Mark Joyce on March 03, 2022, 08:28:41 AM
Looking good!


Title: Re: 1/72 Special Hobby RAAF 76 Sqdn. P-40N
Post by: Vince_M on March 09, 2022, 10:01:42 AM
This is the Eduard wheel, now painted.
Eduard has impressed me with the amount of detail on such a small scale.
I've used Testors metalizer on the hub and an old bottle of Polly Scale "scale black" for the tire.
Finally dry brushed with Model Master Light Ghost Gray on the treads.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51922960398_1575965b93_b.jpg)


Title: Re: 1/72 Special Hobby RAAF 76 Sqdn. P-40N
Post by: Vince_M on March 16, 2022, 01:12:54 AM

Well... The model show is a few days away.  Looks like it won't be finished.  I'm just too much of a perfectionist.
No problem.  I won't compromise doing it right.

I did a crash molded fabrication for the sliding canopy.

Here is the kit canopy used as a mold:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51939264568_20ecae4671_b.jpg)

And the resulting canopy...

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51939800530_ca6838e76a_b.jpg)

I do love this kit.  It is really well made and accurate to the P-40.  It's just too small for my old eyes.  Really wish I had this kit decades ago.
I'll get through it but it will make 1/48 and 1/32 seem like a cinch!





Title: Re: 1/72 Special Hobby RAAF 76 Sqdn. P-40N
Post by: Vince_M on April 25, 2022, 11:50:55 AM
I'm back to work on it...life got in the way for a while.

Masking the forward canopy.  This job is for the birds... especially in 1/72 scale.
I'm using a combination of Tamiya tape, painter's tape, bare metal foil, and MicroMask to fill in gaps.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52028466635_ec9e37038b_b.jpg)


Title: Re: 1/72 Special Hobby RAAF 76 Sqdn. P-40N
Post by: Vince_M on July 31, 2022, 01:59:33 AM
Work has been progressing.  I'm having some issue with my Iwata Neo airbrush.  Getting a smooth paint job has been difficult.
I was a bit too much in a rush when I tried to paint my own RAAF roundels.  I used a circle cutter to make precise masks.
However, the paint I used was not good and I had some disasters with tape pulling up olive drab.
Since these were taken, I have been able to:
1. repaint the affected areas
2. obtain a decal sheet with RAAF roundels
3. finish decal application


(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52218997611_6dae02c857_c.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52218997496_f8f02bf4f8_c.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52219266854_364f7c8ee6_c.jpg)


Title: Re: 1/72 Special Hobby RAAF 76 Sqdn. P-40N
Post by: P-40 Admin on August 13, 2022, 06:43:48 PM
That was some bad luck with the masks and also lifting up of the paint, good job on fixing it. I've had problems with paint, even primer lifting up before, I pretty much only use acrylics. I now scuff up the plastic slightly and sometimes I will use an adhesion promoter spray that I get at automotive supply stores, sprayed on plastic car parts before they get painted. Seams to help some.


Title: Re: 1/72 Special Hobby RAAF 76 Sqdn. P-40N
Post by: Vince_M on August 15, 2022, 01:21:22 AM
That was some bad luck with the masks and also lifting up of the paint, good job on fixing it. I've had problems with paint, even primer lifting up before, I pretty much only use acrylics. I now scuff up the plastic slightly and sometimes I will use an adhesion promoter spray that I get at automotive supply stores, sprayed on plastic car parts before they get painted. Seams to help some.

Thanks!  I did a couple things wrong.  I was using a craft acrylic paint for the blue.  Craft store acrylic can be airbrushed but this particular brand is a little "rubbery" for several hours after laying it down.  Also, my airbrush was out of alignment and I was having issues just getting paint down...so it ended up too heavy.  When I removed the masks, it was still in a rubber like state.  Oh, the masking tape I used was meant for sensitive surfaces, which is good...except that it was like 15 years old and was extra sticky.  Thus, some of the olive drab got lifted...
Lots of lessons learned and time lost.  This project should have been done months ago.

So bought a decal sheet for the RAAF roundels off of eBay.  I think I paid too much but that was all I could find.  They went down okay but some of the white flaked off...so I had to touch them up. 
The microscale decals I  used for this plane are 40 years old...but they went down perfectly!  Go MicroScale!!!

I have done a light clear coat over the decals followed by dark grey Tamiya panel line accent product.  You have to acrylic clear because removing the excess Tamiya requires an enamel thinner.

Here are some pics of the landing gear alignment.  This is the second attempt.  The first attempt they were raked too far forward...so I ripped them out last night.  Little bad luck but not too bad.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52285760600_6d8a71face_c.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52285274436_c15d9a7074_c.jpg)


Title: Re: 1/72 Special Hobby RAAF 76 Sqdn. P-40N
Post by: Mark Joyce on August 27, 2022, 07:59:27 AM
Nice save!  I always dread having issues arise near the end of a build, when so much time and effort have been put into it.

I can almost guarantee that I have some 1/72 RAAF roundels laying around someplace that I'll never use. Next time (and hopefully there is no next time under the same circumstances), just ask!


Title: Re: 1/72 Special Hobby RAAF 76 Sqdn. P-40N
Post by: Vince_M on August 30, 2022, 12:55:17 AM
Almost ready for final clear coat:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52315177350_9303e5e09b_c.jpg)


Title: Re: 1/72 Special Hobby RAAF 76 Sqdn. P-40N
Post by: Vince_M on August 31, 2022, 03:02:09 AM
. Next time (and hopefully there is no next time under the same circumstances), just ask!

many thanks!


Title: Re: 1/72 Special Hobby RAAF 76 Sqdn. P-40N
Post by: Mark Joyce on September 25, 2022, 10:47:15 PM
Looking great, Vince!


Title: Re: 1/72 Special Hobby RAAF 76 Sqdn. P-40N
Post by: P-40 Admin on October 12, 2022, 02:44:01 PM
Looking good!


Title: Re: 1/72 Special Hobby RAAF 76 Sqdn. P-40N
Post by: Vince_M on October 18, 2022, 02:49:59 AM
Last clear coat is on now.
It's been delayed by a lot of distractions from the workbench.
All that is left is some touch up on the canopy and final assembly.
Hope to have some photos soon after that...

:)


Title: Re: 1/72 Special Hobby RAAF 76 Sqdn. P-40N
Post by: Vince_M on November 14, 2022, 01:20:10 AM
It's been hard to get time at the bench for a while now.
Final details being done, then I'll take some photos.
Here's a teaser:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52497272949_e501fe9c5d_b.jpg)


Title: Re: 1/72 Special Hobby RAAF 76 Sqdn. P-40N
Post by: Vince_M on November 19, 2022, 01:46:44 PM
A few pics


(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52509483734_8d40411bbd_b.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52509210616_8f26f9845c_b.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52509688815_57db800527_b.jpg)


Title: Re: 1/72 Special Hobby RAAF 76 Sqdn. P-40N
Post by: P-40 Admin on November 20, 2022, 07:29:30 PM
That's looking great!  :)


Title: Re: 1/72 Special Hobby RAAF 76 Sqdn. P-40N
Post by: Vince_M on November 21, 2022, 02:11:47 AM
I used the Vallejo weathering powder on the wheel tread.
Does it look overdone?
I used a wet cotton bud to try and remove some but it is still pretty darn stark.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52512606930_32ab1530ec_b.jpg)


Title: Re: 1/72 Special Hobby RAAF 76 Sqdn. P-40N
Post by: Vince_M on November 26, 2022, 11:32:38 PM
More photos of the finished model.
The camera can see better than I can and flaws popped out.
I can see blue paint overspray on the radio mast.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52523300551_cc8baf87b4_b.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52523580834_352f680aff_b.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52522837122_d5e1bb9470_b.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52522836792_1693e0d640_b.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52522837912_a78885cdcf_b.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52523780085_87a9cd7307_b.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52522852737_b66602301e_b.jpg)



Title: Re: 1/72 Special Hobby RAAF 76 Sqdn. P-40N
Post by: Mark Joyce on November 29, 2022, 11:43:22 PM
It looks fantastic, Vince!  It really has a weathered look. I think the tire tread is fine.


Title: Re: 1/72 Special Hobby RAAF 76 Sqdn. P-40N
Post by: P-40 Admin on December 13, 2022, 05:04:39 PM
Looks great  :) The tread looks good


Title: Re: 1/72 Special Hobby RAAF 76 Sqdn. P-40N
Post by: Vince_M on February 27, 2023, 08:23:00 AM
I made it to the HyperScale gallery!

https://www.hyperscale.com/2023/features/p40nvm_1.htm (https://www.hyperscale.com/2023/features/p40nvm_1.htm)


Title: Re: 1/72 Special Hobby RAAF 76 Sqdn. P-40N
Post by: P-40 Admin on March 22, 2023, 07:06:27 PM
That's great  :)