What if

QUOTE (B777LR @ Apr 14 2007, 07:16 AM)
Long range escort P-40 with clipped wingtips and 4 blade prop, and P-40N canopy with malcom bubble for pilot?  

At the moment I'll let the pics speak for themselves, but I can tell you I have yet another backstory in the form of magazine articles, so keep your eyes peeled! Hopefully more updates later on today. Enjoy!

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Your going great guns with these Hobby Boss kits Zac!  I like the idea of a four bladed prop escort, can see it chasing the 109's off the tails of B-17's & that bubble hood gives such a different look!  I guess there's not many of the twelve left now?

PS, What's that spatted stubby winged wonder in the background???

QuotePS, What's that spatted stubby winged wonder in the background???

^_^ You'll see. Once she's painted and the top wing's on you'll find out!

*Ahem*.

ENTRY #4:
The P-40P-5 was an effort to create a long-range escort fighter for the US Army Air Force to use in Europe. A P-40N-5 airframe was taken from the production line and fitted with a Packard Merlin V-1650, had its wingtips clipped for improved roll capability, provision for underwing stores (drop tanks or 500lb bombs) and a new canopy similar in design to the so-called "Malcolm hood" seen on P-51B/C aircraft. Around 500 were eventually produced and saw major service in Europe and later over Japan. Six survive today in varying degrees of completeness. One is currently undergoing restoration to fly.

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WARHAWK MOVEMENTS
The rare Curtiss P-40P 44-39261 has been sold at auction to Brian Perri of Pittsburgh, PA. The aircraft, one of six P-5 models in existence, served with the USAAF and saw action in the battle of the Ardennes and over France on D-Day. She was forced down in southern Germany with an engine problem in May 1945 and lay there until rediscovered by a team of enthusiasts in July 1994. The airframe was taken to France and restoration to a static condition was underway until its recent sale, and arrived in the US on April 14. Brian says he plans to have the aircraft completed to fly at his Allegheny County workshops, and it will wear its original wartime paint scheme.

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PAPA P-40 NEARS COMPLETION
Curtiss P-40P-5 44-39261/N9261 has been rolled out in preparation for taxi trials at Allegheny County Airport, PA. Proud owner Brian Perri has been conducting dual time with Steve Hinton in Kermit Weeks' TP-40N at Polk City, and is extremely keen to get underway with his new aircraft. First flight is hoped to take place by May, with an appearance at EAA AirVenture in July a strong possibility, but before then not only do engine runs need to take place but also the paint applied, which Brian says will be very eye catching.

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"MISS TRACEY"'S WINNING TURN
Brian Perri's stunning Curtiss P-40P Warhawk "Miss Tracey" took out the prestigious Grand Champion Warbird award at the recent EAA AirVenture at Oshkosh, having made its first post-restoration flight only ten days prior.
The gorgeous fighter, registered N9261, was forced down in Germany in 1945, and had for some years been under restoration in France at the time Brian purchased it. The team at Stevens-Perri Aviation Technologies took the aircraft and completed a magnificent restoration in less than 12 months. Their first warbird rebuild, 44-39261 is now flying happily from Allegheny County airport in Pittsburgh whenever Brian can spare the time – which, in his own words, "is almost every day!". The aircraft, fitted with brand-new drop tanks, is set to be seen at airshows across the eastern and southern US this northern summer as her proud owner shows her off to an admiring public.

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Thanks to Mossie for the kit and to B777LR for the idea. Shasper came up with the paint scheme.

I can say SPEEDBUILD!!! :lol:

Lovely scheme Zac, those little changes have made quite a lot.  Very nice shot's of the sun gleaming off the airframe, it adds  a bit of 'reality' to it!  I do like your idea for doing warbird backstories, most of us tend to do operational versions & it brings a unique perspective to your models.

Keep up the fantastic work Zac!

Beautiful work Zac! :wub: I love the "malcom hood", it really adds something to the P-40. As always, I love the backstory, I actually had the honor of meeting Steve Hinton when I was in Dayton, Ohio a few years ago.

~Steve

Drooling onto keyboard... :wub:


I just HAVE to find myself the academy P-51B/C and P-40 next time i visit the LHS!

Imagine what versions could have been developed from this?

Naval fighter? (royal navy)
Counter rotating props?
P-51 tail?
RR Merlin engine?
RR griffon engine?

RAF version with Battle of Britain camo and 2 cannons and 4 MGs :wub:

Captured version with german markings and possibly a Daimler Benz engine :wub:

:cheers:  :cheers:  :cheers:  

Yowsa is that gorgeous Zac-o-matic! She looks like a cross between a P-40 and an early P-51. That Malcolm hood really makes this bird as does your very skillful paintwork!

Bravo Zulu and a hand salute!!!

Brian da Basher

P.S. What's that little bit of spat-fulness lurking in the background?

QuoteI actually had the honor of meeting Steve Hinton when I was in Dayton, Ohio a few years ago.

Nothing personal Steve, but I hate you. :lol: That's amazing, you lucky, lucky devil. Well, I met Ray Hanna, so there! :P

B777LR, thank you, but it's largely thanks to you that this build happened at all. After all, it was your idea. I just thought it deserved to be translated into plastic. Next time I see a P-40N kit I'll wrap it up and send it your way.

Brian - I just have to paint her and mount the upper wing and then she'll be ready for the grand reveal. This is not what you'd think, and where it's posted will surprise and amaze you. Actually, the words "shock" and "awe" jump to mind with this build. *maniacal laughter* Plus I think you'll be rather chuffed with the backstory.

Well Simon, it's thanks to you that I got this kit, and thank you sooooo much! I've found a couple of Kiwi suppliers of HB's fine kits, and I can tell you when I find employment or an income I'll be stocking up on them! Re the backstories, ever since April 1998 I've spent almost every spare moment reading Classic Wings, Aeroplane Monthly, FlyPast et al, so it's tended to seep through into my model backstories. Which I feel isn't such a bad thing. I like adding in the little bits of the real-life industry in, such as Steve Hinton (one of the most experienced P-40 pilots on the planet), Kermit's TP-40N (NOT made up! It's the only one left), so that adds an air of authenticity. Plus I get a buzz about writing about these folks!

Nice one, Zacman ! I think that would have been one heck of a help to the Allies !

:wub:  

Ah yes Zacster, the backsoty made me smile wide after an enormously stressful (and expensive) couple of days. Thank you!!!

Brian da Basher

Zac,

What's the radial job in the background of this pic:

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Regards,

Greg

QuoteZac,

What's the radial job in the background of this pic?

Ill allow my past posts on the matter to explain:

"Brian - I just have to paint her and mount the upper wing and then she'll be ready for the grand reveal. This is not what you'd think, and where it's posted will surprise and amaze you. Actually, the words "shock" and "awe" jump to mind with this build. *maniacal laughter*"


"QUOTE (Mossie @ Apr 17 2007, 12:05 PM)
PS, What's that spatted stubby winged wonder in the background???  


You'll see. Once she's painted and the top wing's on you'll find out!"

Trust me, I'm dying to reveal her, but not until she's finished. Not yet. Seriously bursting to share but I can't.


All else I'm going to say is that she's a group build entry. Which group build? You'll see. Just please bear with me, I'm still dealing to her finish. I'm not 100% on the scheme she'll wear so I'm guesstimating another week before completion.

Really neat concept and execution :wub:  :wub:  :wub:  :wub:  

Zac,

You're a tease!!!  Radial Engine and Spats!

Regards,

Greg

^_^ I aim to please.

Thanks Carlos. I'm still a big fan of your turbocharged jobbie.

Back to the P-40p-5 Long-range Escort Fighter:

Another absolute example of a completed model I look at and say "Of course that's what it had to look like!"

Fantastic!!!    :wub:  :wub:  

Idea just jumped to my head! If i use the tail off the P-51C/B and graft it to the tail of the P-40N with malcom hood + clipped wingtips + the mustang engine = Coolness factor x1000!

Edit: and do a very un-cool early P-51 afterwards (with 3 blade prop, P-40 tail, bad engine)

QuoteAnother absolute example of a completed model I look at and say "Of course that's what it had to look like!"

Fantastic!!!    :wub:  :wub:

*blushes deeply* Thank you, Baz. That was the idea. I'm glad you like it.

Very cool!  Looks very much the part :)