I don't have the kit but from what I've seen and read the breakdown is basically the same as for Hasegawa's 1/48th P-40E, with the numerous plugs and inserts.  As a result, the most important aspect is aligning and dry-fitting the parts before gluing.  Almost everyone, including me, has found it better to deviate from the instructions (at least for the 48th scale P-40) and glue the tail section on each fuselage half first, instead of gluing them together and then adding them as a "plug."

One area that Hasegawa got it wrong, which in my opinion is inexcusable since it was done correctly in the 48th scale kit, is in adding an extra frame to the windscreen.

Mark 

Your work continues to amaze me, Alex!  Too bad some of that interior detail won't be visible, or at least not very well, once the fuselage is closed up.  I look forward to more posts on your progress.

Mark

Hi Boyce,

There is a person I know who was involved recently in the restoration of a P-51.  I believe he was involved in the sheet metal aspect of it.  Anyway, his name is Ron Cline and he frequents this modeling website:

www.hyperscale.com

You might want to try posting your question there as well.  I'll see if I can track down Ron's email and if successful will pass on your request.  If Ron doesn't know the answer there's a pretty good chance he knows who would!

Mark

Okay, I've tried posting the symposium flyer, which I have in PDF format on my computer, with no luck.  Any hints for this computer illiterate person?

EDIT:  The flyer still isn't on the museum's website, but has been posted on the website for the American Fighter Aces Association, here:

http://www.americanfighteraces.org/pdf_assets/ncf-aug31.pdf

Another event I want to mention, which I found out about in my recent edition of "Aloft," the Museum of Flight magazine:

Carl Molesworth, author of several P-40 books, will be at the Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington, on Saturday, August 23rd, at 2 PM.  Mr. Molesworth will share stories of the P-40 and men of the 23rd Fighter Group, the successors to the American Volunteer Group--the Flying Tigers.  Members of the 23rd FG have been invited to attend as well.  More information can be found here:

www.museumofflight.org

Mr. Molesworth is definitely one of the most knowledgeable persons on P-40 units and his books are, in my opinion, the most informative and interesting out there.  Anyone in the Seattle area might want to mark this on your calendar!

Mark 

I will definitely be there and will post some photographs afterward.  I've met Morehead and Aschenbrener before but not the other three aces, and am very excited at the prospect.  I'll be sure to mention to them that there are a lot of P-40 fans out there!

Mark

One more update on the symposium.  In addition to Aschenbrener, Jones, Morehead, and Pierce, Joe Griffin of the 23rd FG will be attending.  From what I know of them, these men have some amazing stories to tell so this should be a great symposium.  The official flyer should be out shortly, and when it is I'll be happy to post a copy here if there's any interest.

Mark

Here's the same photograph in color (more or less) from Jeff Ethell's book, "P-40 Warhawk in World War II Color."  Is there where you got your photograph as well?  Since I'm not the best at guessing colors, I'll just post it and let you or someone else decide:



Mark

I just learned that Robert DeHaven took his final flight this past week.  He was a 14 victory ace with the 49th Fighter Group, obtaining 10 of those victories in P-40s.  He later served as president of the American Fighter Aces Association.
 
In Eric Bergerud's book "Fire in the Sky:  The Air War in the South Pacific,"  Robert DeHaven had this to say about the P-40: "If you flew wisely, the P-40 was a very capable aircraft.  In many conditions it could outturn the P-38...The real problem with it was lack of range...So when I moved to P-38s, an excellent aircraft, I did so not because I believed that the P-40 was an inferior fighter but that I knew the P-38 would allow us to reach the enemy.  I was a fighter pilot and that was what I was supposed to do."

This is the 48th scale Eduard kit I built a few years ago in the markings of his last P-40, before transitioning to the P-38.  He chose the #13 for his assigned aircraft, believing it to be his lucky number, and usually had some form of an orchid as the nose art:





Godspeed, Mr. DeHaven,

Mark

Thanks Hume!  Obviously a lot of time and effort went into the article.  It's interesting that several things we have taken as gospel aren't true at all, especially about the old Monogram kit.

Mark

You might want to check with this organization:

www.1941hag.org

It is having an airshow in which numerous airworthy P-40s have been invited, so obviously it has some contact with the owners.  Perhaps someone from the organization can assist you.

Good luck!

Mark

Just a quick update on the symposium.  Unfortunately, as of now it appears Joel Paris will be unable to attend.  However, Sammy Pierce (also of the 49th FG) will be attending, which is great news!  Attempts are still being made (and will continue into August) to see if other P-40 aces can make it, so I'll keep you posted on any changes or additions.

Mark 

Looks great!  I also believe the rear fuselage of the "E" is shaped different than the "B/C" but could be mistaken on this.  Nonetheless that's going to be one impressive build when done.  Have you decided on the markings yet?

Keep us posted on your progress!

Regards,

Mark

Here's the best I could find.  It's from the Squadron/Signal book "P-40 Warhawk in Detail:"

Hope it helps,

Mark

Passing on this tidbit of information largely due to the fact the air show has invited many of the remaining airworthy P-40s, along with Canadian ace "Stocky" Edwards, to attend.  Here's a link to the organization:

www.1941hag.org

Too far (and thus too expensive) for me to make it, but if anyone goes I hope they take lots of pictures and post them here!  It'll be interesting to see how many P-40s actually make it to the show.

Regards,

Mark