Curtis F-40R(n) FAA 1954

[Gondor]

The Curtis F-40R(n) was a navalised development of the XP-40Q developed for the Royal Navy to replace their war weary Mk47 Seafires. These aircraft were a welcome addition to the FAA as the numbers of Seafires reduced and the war dragged on into 1954.

The following pictures of my model depict the F-40R(n) flown by Lt Cunningham one fateful day during February 1954 when he was re-tasked while on route to provide support to UN forces in the area north of the Han River. The re-tasking was to intercept an unknown aircraft heading parallel to the front line. Unfortunately do to miscommunication and the fact that dusk was approaching fast, Lt Cunningham mistook the aircraft that he described later in his report as a Soviet supplied Tu-4 bomber aircraft. With the low sun reflecting off the metal surfaces of the aircraft as he approached it, Lt Cunningham attempted to "shoot down" the bomber using the 3" ground attack rockets his aircraft was armed with. Fortunately for the crew of the RB-50 only one rocket caused any real damage and they managed to perform an emergency landing at an UN controlled airfield.

The American Mission in Korea stated later that the use by China or North Korea of the Tu-4 was "Bull" though they did issue instructions that in future there would be closer communication with their allies about such flights and that their aircraft would be painted with similar recognition markings to the FAA machines in the area.
There is a rumour that an instruction was given to the ground crew who maintained Lt Cunningham's aircraft that on no account was any "kill marking" to be applied to this or any other aircraft following this incident.

Gondor

[rickshaw]

My, what a loooooong nose.

Looks great.  I assume the odd colours are due to the camera?  Looks a bit bilious or is that just what the stormy seas have done to the viewer?   

[Captain Canada]

Nice one...and that's no bull ! Love the photo from the top. Great stuff !

[Gondor]

Colour probably a mix of the strip light in the kitchen, the flash and the camera.

I build the model for the Pegasus build for SMW 2010 so as long as OGL takes it to the show I dont have to pay for it  ;

Gondor

[JayBee]

I was at the Glasgow show yesterday and saw Gondor's F-40R(n).
Those photos do not do it full justice.
In real life the colours are perfect.
What I realy loved was the guy who in an authoritive voice said "That's a late Seafire, Yes".

Excellent model Alistair. 

[Gondor]

What I realy loved was the guy who in an authoritive voice said "That's a late Seafire, Yes".

Darn.... I missed that, must have been one of the few times I was away from the SIG display.

Colours used were Humbrol 32 and Humbrol 90

Gondor

[PR19_Kit]

What I realy loved was the guy who in an authoritive voice said "That's a late Seafire, Yes".

Magic! 

I can see his point, but the landing gear is a dead give-away to its real roots. Terrific thought processes and modelling Gondor. 

[Ian the Kiwi Herder]

Absolutely superb !

Ian

[John Howling Mouse]

You nailed it so well that I'll publicly admit I'm a bit jealous...great (believable) backstory, too.   

[ysi_maniac]

Gorgeous! 

But can you repeat the photos?

[ChernayaAkula]

Excellent!  Looks very convincing!

[NARSES2]

All that hard work paid off Alistair 

[Taiidantomcat]

  Totally cool!

[Tophe]

The bubble P-40Q is a very rare version of the P-40, thanks to feature it that way... into even better

[Martin H]

The model has survived its trip to the Northants swamps, And it is as good as Jim has already said.