1:72 P-40B/C exhaust & damper cooler

Curtiss P-40B/C exhausts and radiator 1:72 (Quickboost)

This resin set from Quickboost, made by Aires, brings faithfully cast exhaust stacks and a radiator for a model of the American Curtiss P-40B/C fighter in 1:72 scale. It is not an airplane model but a detail accessory for more experienced modelers, replacing the coarser plastic parts with sharper castings with drilled-out outlets.

The real subject

The Curtiss P-40 was an American single-engine fighter of the Second World War period with a liquid-cooled Allison V12 engine. The early P-40B and P-40C versions served with American and Allied units and carried characteristic rows of exhaust pipes along the sides of the forward fuselage. The radiator under the engine carried the heat away from the liquid cooling system.

Tips for working with resin

The set holds both the exhausts and the radiator, so plan the order of assembly in advance to keep the parts from getting in each other's way. First wash the castings in lukewarm soapy water to remove any mold release residue. Cut off the casting blocks with a saw and sand the cut faces with respiratory protection. Bond the parts with super glue (cyanoacrylate), not with plastic cement.

Who the set is for

• More experienced modelers who want to raise the accuracy of a model
• Builders for whom the part from the plastic kit is not enough
• Anyone interested in working with resin and fine castings
• Collectors building models for competitions and display cases

The set is supplied as a resin part, unassembled and unpainted. It is not an airplane model but an accessory for a plastic kit. Glue, paints and the kit are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.