1/48 Airfix P-40B Warhawk

Gallery Article by H. Davis Gandees on Dec 11 2020

 

      

In 2016, for the 75th Anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, I built a collection of all 6 types of aircraft flown during the attack. The P-40B flown by Lt. George Welch was built using the old 1:48 Monogram kit and although it was better than the Hobbycraft kit, I was not happy with it. As is always the case, the 1:48 Airfix P-40B was released right after I finished the Monogram kit and I vowed to replace it with this newer model. So, here it is, I hope you all like it.

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The Airfix kit has the correct shape and recessed panel lines. It was built out of the box except for Eduard Brassin resin wheels/tires and PE seatbelt/harness. The guns and exhaust stacks were drilled out and painted gunmetal and dry brushed with aluminum. The cockpit details and decals are quite adequate and the armored glass behind the windscreen is a nice touch. There is also a clever option for open or closed cowl flaps. The only problem was a slight fit issue of the cowling and nose guns panels that was eventually corrected. The model was painted with Tamiya rattle can Olive Drab over Aircraft Gray. The Airfix decals were excellent! A nylon thread wire antenna was added from the tail to insulators on each wing tip. 

So, kudos to Airfix for a much needed and accurate P-40B Warhawk. 

On that fateful December 7, 1941 morning, Lt. George Welch took off from Wheeler Field and was credited with shooting down a Val dive bomber and a Zero. Welch ended the war with 16 confirmed kills. He was recommended for the Medal of Honor but was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions.

He was killed on October 12, 1954 while testing the new North American F-100A.

H. Davis Gandees

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Photos and text © by H. Davis Gandees