Hawk 81n

[Chap]

This will be my first of hopefully two entries. Construction will begin after the P-35 is completed. Kit will be Academy's 1/72nd scale P-40B/C; the spats will be resin copies from a Northrop Gamma kit. Markings will be from a Tintin decal sheet.

~Steve

Profile:

[Brian da Basher]

Nice profile there Chap and an absolutely inspired idea! As much as I'm enjoying your progress on the P-35, I can't wait to see how you pull this one off!

Brian da Basher

[Chap]

While the P-35 is in the process of being masked, had some time to start on the Hawk. Cockpit is done, wing is filled and sanded and now it's ready to be buttoned up. Hope you like it.

~Steve

I tried using tin-foil as seat belts, they came out ok.

[Chap]

Here's the wing, used styrene to fill in the gap and used miliput and bondo to smooth it out.

[Brian da Basher]

Wow that's a great start Steve! I think you've got me beat when it comes to filling in wheel wells. I'm really looking forward to your next update!

Brian da Basher

[Daryl J.]

Great fill on those wheel wells!   Did you have any difficulty with the milliput chipping when rescribed?


Daryl J.

[dogsbody]

Just one little question. Do you think the fixed gear is long enough?  Judging by your drawing, it looks a little short.  I worry about prop tip clearance. Otherwise, a smashing concept. I await completion.  

[Chap]

Brian, thanks for the kind words.

Darl, thanks, I didn't have any problems with the miliput chipping.

dogsbody, You're right. It's funny, when I traced the Gamma's spats I lengthened them but they are still too short. I'll see what I can do.

Update #2: Fuselage is buttoned up and the two .50 cals in the nose are now removed. I wasn't happy with the kit's propeller so I replaced it with one from, what I believe was, a Heller P-38. Since the prop is left-hand, I decided to build it as an example with a replacement engine (like the Soviet's Klimov varients). The exhausts are made from stretched sprue. Hope you like it.

~Steve

[Brian da Basher]

Nice mods, Steve! I really like the look of those scratch-built exhausts! Here's a tip on the landing gear/prop issue: you can mark the same length to be cut from each prop tip and then use a small nail clipper to do the surgery. This should give you a nice clean and rounded cut. This is how I trimmed the props on my Cabal Bolide Mk II.

Brian da Basher

[Chap]

Brian, thanks for the kind words and the clever tip.

The airframe is complete; now to move on to the landing gear predicament. I've found another spat in my junk box; this one was from a KP Avia B.35. I will be making resin copies of both types so if anyone would like a copy I'd be more than happy to make some extras.

~Steve

Tell me what you think, the lengthened Gamma type spat or the Avia type?

[Brian da Basher]

Wow that's some great progress Steve! Tough call on the spats. Those Avia ones look a very natural fit to the P-40 but I think the "beefier" nature of the Gamma spats compliments the bird nicely. If you use the4 Avia spats, no problems with trimming the prop!

Looking forward to more updates,
Brian da Basher

[John Howling Mouse]

Wow that's some great progress Steve! Tough call on the spats. Those Avia ones look a very natural fit to the P-40 but I think the "beefier" nature of the Gamma spats compliments the bird nicely. If you use the4 Avia spats, no problems with trimming the prop!

Looking forward to more updates,
Brian da Basher

BdaB: did you miss the part about Chap molding/casting more spats for those who need them?  

Steve: this is coming out beautifully.  Looking forward to more!    

[jcf]

The Gamma spats could each hold another gun or bomblet dropping tubes at the rear.  


Cheers, Jon

[Chap]

Sorry for the long delay, I've decided to use the Avia type spats as they give suitable prop clearance.

The spats have been installed and the "PSR" stage is complete. All that is left now is to make a decision about armament and then painting can begin. The wheels are from a 1/72nd Bf-109B.

~Steve

[Daryl J.]

Did I see that there will be Tintin markings???    

That looks great!


Daryl J.