1:72 P-40F/L Warhawk ‘Desert Hawks with Merlin’

The real subject

The Curtiss P-40 was one of the most numerous American fighters of the first half of the war. The P-40F and P-40L versions differ from the rest in their powerplant: instead of the Allison engine they received the Merlin built under license by Packard, a V12 that fared better at higher altitudes. The recognition feature is the clean upper nose without the intake that the Allison-engined versions have. The P-40L aircraft were lightened as well. Both versions flew mainly over North Africa and the Mediterranean, which is where the boxing title comes from.

The kit

The model in 1:72 scale is injection-molded from polystyrene and is supplied unassembled and unpainted. The parts are separated from the sprues and joined with modeling cement for plastics. The box covers both versions, F and L, so read through the instructions before the build and decide which aircraft you are building before you glue the nose and the armament.

Building and painting tips

Finish the cockpit before you glue the fuselage halves together, and mask the glazing before spraying. Desert aircraft carried a light sand and a dark shade on the upper surfaces and a light underside, on which dust and sunlight quickly showed. Concentrate the wear on the wing root, where the pilot climbed in. Go over the surfaces with gloss clear coat before the decals, as a matte surface under a decal silvers.

Who it is for

The kit will appeal to builders of American aircraft of the Second World War and to collectors of 1:72 scale. The box contains the kit parts; paints, glue and accessories are not part of it, unless stated otherwise.