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.

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

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.

While you are checking your research materials, could we impose upon you to look to see if you might have any helpful information on wheels, tires, and tire tread patterns?  Derek is thinking he may want to do some 1/32 replacement tires and wheels with diamond or block tread.  Thanks!
Bill M.

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.

If you can help Derek, please do.  Derek is the gentleman who is preparing the masters for the spectacular upcoming 1/32 scale P-40F/L Merlin-powered Warhawk conversion.  If we can help him out with information on the wide-chord propeller, it will make it that much easier to build an accurate late Warhawk.  He is also thinking of doing some diamond or block tread tires for late P-40's as well.  If you have any information on those, I am sure he would love to hear from you.  Thanks!
Bill M.

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.

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.

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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I just received my copy of the new Zotz 1/32 North African Warhawks P-40F/L Decals. And you can get them too.  Eli Raphael of Zotz tells me that they are now available to order. The cost is $25.00 USD with $9.00 USD shipping to North American addresses. For shipping to Europe it is an additional $2.00 USD and to the rest of the world, it is an additional $3.00 USD. Eli only takes Paypal. His paypal address is zotz17@yahoo.com.

As to my impressions and thoughts on this decal set, I have to admit that I am a little biased, as I provided input to Eli on it. Also providing input were Carl Molesworth, author of various books on P-40 markings and Raphael Jumentier of France, who helped with the French markings. But, here is what I think of this sheet. First, they are very precisely and cleanly printed with extraordinary detail. As to the markings, I think they are quite accurate and reflect the most recent research and recently discovered photos of these airplanes. The first plane on the sheet is a short-tailed P-40F named Miss Fury, flown by Capt. Whittaker of the 57th FG. Recently unearthed photos have shown Miss Fury to have markings on the rudder as shown on the sheet. Also, photos show Miss Fury to have been painted with either three or seven kill marks at various times in its career. This decal sheet will allow the modeler to do either version. The second plane on the sheet is a French P-40F named Madkot. It was flown by Polish-born French pilot Constantin Vladimir Rozanoff, the commanding officer of the Free French Lafayette Squadron. There is a set of markings for a P-40L of the 325th FG The Checkertails. This particular aircraft is the famous Duchess of Durham IV. This set of markings includes the data and kill marks in the cockpit area and the My Gal Sal marking on the right side of the nose. Finally, there is included a set of markings for P-40F Sweet Bets of the 79th FG. Included are the accurate markings for the cockpit area as well as a detailed Dopey marking for the rudder. Due to the excellent photo coverage of this particular plane, Eli was able to very accurately do all of its markings as they were pictured. All in all, being a dedicated MTO P-40 fan, I could not ask for more in these decalsthey are superb. Follow this link and you can see scans of the instruction sheets--
http://forum.largescaleplanes.com/index.php?showtopic=28899&st=0&gopid=251343&#entry251343

I am sure some of you are wondering what to do with a P-40F/L decal sheet when there are no 1/32 P-40F/L kits on the market. Well there is happy news there as well. Derek Bradshaw in the UK is busily working on a conversion set for a Merlin-powered P-40 to fit on the Hasegawa line of kits. He expects it to be out soon. In fact, it was because of this conversion set that Eli Raphael agreed to do the decals. I have also provided some assistance to Derek and have seen photos of the masters as Derek works on them. I have to say the masters look spot on accuracy-wise. In fact, I think I am safe in saying that it looks like it will be the best and most accurate P-40F/L conversion in any scale. Look for it to be marketed soon by way of Warbird Productions/ Grey Matter Figures. Like I said, I do not have any fianancial stake in all this. I like P-40F/Ls and have long wanted a good one in 1/32 scale. It looks like it will finally happen. To say I am enthusiastic would be an understatement.

I have some questions for the P-40 Warhawk/ Kittyhawk experts.  It is my understanding from looking at pictures and from what I have been told in the past, that there were two variations of propellers used on P-40 Warhawks.  It appears that the P-40E and early F’s and K’s used a prop with a narrow blade, while the later F’s, K’s, L’s, M’s and N’s used a prop with a wider blade.  My question is—Can anyone provide some detailed information about these different props, particularly the wider-blade prop?—such as specs, details, measurements etc.?  Does anyone know for sure when the changeover to the wider-blade props was made—which production runs, etc.?  Are these P-40 props the same as were fitted to the Allison-powered P-51's and A-36's?  Any and all help will be most appreciated.  Thanks!
Bill M.
Kb466@hotmail.com