1:48 Curtiss P-40E Warhawk wheel bays

Eduard 1:48 P-40E Warhawk wheel bays (3D print)

This set from Eduard brings faithfully rendered wheel bays for a model of the American Curtiss P-40E Warhawk fighter in 1:48 scale. It is not a model or an airplane kit; it is an accessory that replaces the simplified plastic version in the wing. The parts are made by direct 3D printing in resin, which gives them sharp, full internal detail: the structure of the ribs, the piping and the runs inside the bays, all of which are clearly visible on a P-40 with the landing gear down.

What the set is for

The wheel bays, along with the cockpit, are among the places a viewer looks at first on a finished model. Injection-molded plastic there tends to be flat and poor in detail for technological reasons. This set fills the bay with a faithful interior and the model gains depth straight away, especially if you are building it with the landing gear extended and plan to weather it.

Recommended procedure

• Wash the parts in lukewarm soapy water and let them dry; that removes the print resin residue and the surface takes primer better.
• Cut off the print supports with a sharp scalpel or a fine saw and sand the surfaces down. Always with respiratory protection (a respirator) and preferably wet, as resin dust is harmful to health.
• Check the fit into the wing with a dry run and, if need be, sand the mating faces of the plastic down a little. Glue with cyanoacrylate glue (super glue).
• Paint and weather the bays before you close the wing, as you will not get a brush into them once it is glued. A light base, a dark wash into the corners and fine chipping on the edges all work well.

Who the set is for

For modelers building the P-40E Warhawk in 1:48 scale who want display-level detail. Working with resin and getting the fit right call for a steady hand, so we recommend the set to more experienced builders.

The accessory is supplied unpainted. The base model, glue and paints are not included in the package.