1:48 P-40E/K 3D-Printed & coloured Interior on decal paper (Hasegawa)

3D interior for the P-40E and P-40K in 1:48 scale

This set from Quinta Studio replaces the flat, bland cockpit detail that a kit renders only with engraving or an instrument panel decal. The elements are 3D printed, have real relief and arrive already colored on decal paper. They are transferred to the model in water like a classic decal, so gluing and painting of small details fall away. The set is based on the Hasegawa kit.

The real subject

The Curtiss P-40 was a single-engined fighter with a liquid-cooled Allison engine and a characteristic long fairing under the fuselage. The E version had its armament in the wing, and the K version followed with a modified powerplant and, in the later part of the run, a taller fin. Both variants share the same cockpit layout, which is why the set handles them together.

Applying it step by step

• Assemble the cockpit and spray it in the base color, smoothing the areas under the elements
• Coat it with the gloss varnish on which the element holds and let it cure
• Release the element after about fifteen seconds in lukewarm water and settle it with a damp brush
• Soak up the surplus water; do not use a softener or a setting solution
• Once dry, unify the surface with a matte or satin varnish

Who the set is for

It suits anyone who builds a P-40 with an open cockpit and wants the interior legible when seen from above. It works just as well as a shortcut for modelers who have neither the patience nor the eyesight for drawing dials by hand. The set is cut for one particular kit and may not fit the shapes of another mold.

This is an accessory to a kit, not an aircraft model. The kit, paints and glue are not included.