P-40F War Hawk from Trumpeter.

[dmthamade]

This one was hanging around the LHS for a while, my choice for the GB. I've built one of these before, don't remember any snags of difficulties with it. There are inaccuracies with the kit, don't think i'll be addressing them. Have to say, the moldings are very crisp with no flash evident. The rivet and panel lines are recessed and nicely restrained, will look good with a wash. Clear canopies and a PE fret for flaps, belts and crosshair gunsight. This one looks like it was done by the "A" Team, and is a vast improvement over the Wildcat i recently finished. Markings are provided for four birds, they all look great, three have nose art and one is a sharksmouth. What they didn't provide is info of the squadron or area of operation, will make research fun.

 

 

Should be a fun build!!

 

Don

[dmthamade]

Well, did a bit of research on the markings. Did find pics that show two of the options are later "F"s, having the longer rear fuselage. Other two should be ok but are missing some markings or are in wrong order...Thaaaanks Trumpeterrrrr😠 Did find two YouTube builds/reviews, Champion Scale Modelling and Doogs Studios, both very informative!! I've built one of these before, some of the vids refreshed my memory, but the reviews and comments about accuracy helped a lot. Will continue onwards  with option "A", P-40F-15 flown by Lucien Shule of the 68thFS/347thFG, april 1943 Guadalcanal. Olive Drab overall with some white striping and a Sharksmouth.

 

Don

[dmthamade]

So some progress. Managed to complete the cockpit. Now 'pits are something i struggle with, this one was no exception. Nothing added except instrument decals and some Eduard PE belts. I really dislike PE, and these ones caused me to say words i haven't said since retiring. Paint/wash/drybrush...enough for me😊 The 'pit assembled easily, have to say the main parts fit tight due to the slots and tabs being dovetail design, someone at Trumpeter must be a cabinet maker...

 

I did apply gloss coat to the lenses of the gauges. I have to find a different wash, doesn't wipe away as clean as it used to. Bottles are very old, may be the problem.

 

Don

[2996 Victor]

The cockpit is looking great, Don, very impressive imho. Looking forward to your next update.

 

Cheers,

Mark

 

P.S. I share your dislike of PE - it has its uses, I suppose, its "flatness" never looks right for 3-dimensional objects, and it always bends in the wrong places!

[Dpgsbody55]

I agree with Mark.  The cockpit looks very good.  Looking forward to seeing more.

 

 

Cheers,

Michael

[dmthamade]

On 6/20/2026 at 7:56 AM, 2996 Victor said:

The cockpit is looking great, Don, very impressive imho. Looking forward to your next update.

 

Cheers,

Mark

 

P.S. I share your dislike of PE - it has its uses, I suppose, its "flatness" never looks right for 3-dimensional objects, and it always bends in the wrong places!

 

Yeah, PE....the U-make-'em sets where you have to thread the buckles and such look great when done right. I prefer the resin seats with everything molded in, just add paint. I  have the fuselage together, Trumpeter would have you install the tailwheel strut at the same time. The strut looks to be a delicate part that looks easily broken, so i notched the locators in a way that i can install the strut at the end of the build. Very happy with this kit, the fit is great and surface detail is very restrained. After the Trumpeter Wildcat build, this is such a refreshing change. Have to be careful with sanding joints down or filling, could easily erase these details, Italeri can take lessons on how to do surface details. Thanks all for the encouragement!!

 

Don

[dmthamade]

OK, time for an update. I have managed to build the kit and put paint down. There really wasn't much to say about the main parts, the fit was just great. Took two days to assemble, with time for clamping. I've built more than a few Trumpeter kits, this one has to be the best fitting of the lot. I did have to use a bit of Mr. Dissolved putty on the fuselage behind the pit, otherwise no other fill.

 

This is the first time using AK Real Colors Lacquer based paints, They've been some of the smoothest finishes i've ever applied!! The smell is not like typical Lacquers, closer to Tamiya Acrylic paints. Will definitely start switching to this brand. I have finished painting all parts, next will be gloss, then decals.

 

Don

[awoltrooper]

Very impressive work! Excited to see the rest of your build. Really enjoy how you weathered the cockpit, and I agree- that fit is immaculate!

[dmthamade]

So, i thought retirement meant lots of free time to do the stuff you wanted. Turns out, other things still get in between me and the bench!! I managed to clear the build last week, and finally got around to applying the decals. Originally i was going to do a sharksmouth build, but changed my mind to the markings depicting a plane from the 66thFS/57thFG based in Tunisia 1943 according to the kit instructions. Have to say, these decals worked really well, thin, in register, the white was opaque. Settled into the rivets and panel lines nicely. Accuracy is off, the white "X" on the nose art should have squared off ends and should be outlined in black. The insignia should be without the yellow surround. I did find one pic of this bird to confirm. I glosscoated the decals before remembering about the insignias, could have used the alternates included on the kit sheet...😠. Will do a wash on the lines/rivets, etc., then start weathering. Most all pics of these planes in the specific theater show lots of weathering, will have to be careful with that.

 

 

Don

[Dpgsbody55]

On 7/16/2026 at 8:23 AM, dmthamade said:

So, i thought retirement meant lots of free time to do the stuff you wanted. Turns out, other things still get in between me and the bench!! 

 

Don

 

Yeah......  I know that feeling....    Welcome to the rest of your life .

 

Great work on the P-40F.  It's looking good.

 

 

Cheers,

Michael

[dmthamade]

On 7/18/2026 at 1:47 AM, Dpgsbody55 said:

 

Yeah......  I know that feeling....    Welcome to the rest of your life .

 

Great work on the P-40F.  It's looking good.

 

 

Cheers,

Michael

 

Yup, not as busy as when i was workin', but busy enough!! Had some time to add a wash and matte coat. I used AK Ultra Matt Varnish, this stuff is about as dead matte you can get!! Went on great out of the bottle, but seems to be pretty fragile. I want to try weathering with AK pencils, and they recommended a matt coat using their stuff. Will see how they work out.

 

 

Slowly getting there...Busy again 'til Sunday...

 

Don

 

 

[BradG]

That's looking great.

[rafju]

Nice shots, revealing interesting skin detail, 

Keep us the good work! Thanks

[dmthamade]

Well, this build is stalled. The AK Ultra Matt is indeed very fragile!! Using the AK pencils, i found they easily removed the matt coat. Even handling it to do weathering removed the coating. I have to remove the stuff, and i've found soaking some paper towel and scrubbing will remove the coating without damaging what's underneath. I'll do this, then park it while i contemplate what to do.....

 

 

What i'll do is use a dullcoat from AK Real, then go from there. Still going to take a break, think i'll build a car kit...

 

Don

[Collin]

If you can get your hands on the VMS line of clear coats…those are wonderful and very resilient to weathering. 

 

Nice looking -40F. I’m interested in building that kit as well…as a long tail. 
 

Cheers

Collin