Warbird Kid Posted April 9, 2020 Share Posted April 9, 2020 Beginnings A classic War-Film if there ever was one, 1970's Tora! Tora! Tora! was a masterful execution of a multitude of practical and special effects to recreate the attack on Pearl Harbor. Since I can remember, this movie has always inspired and captivated me. And for some reason one particular scene always intrigued me. A simple, quick scene that only lasted little over a minute, but I loved the pacing, action, and excitement for some reason. It depicted the mad dash rush of Lt. Taylor and Welch as they sped to Haleiwa Airstrip to jump in there waiting P-40s to scramble, and engage the onslaught of Japanese aircraft. This scene was re-created in Pearl Harbor years later, but it just didn't feel the same. So after awhile I figured, why not replicate that scene? After acquiring a 1/72 Airfix P-40E, I decided to pay tribute to this scene and build it as a diorama. The Airfix P-40E is a rough kit for today’s standards. Other, more accurate / detailed models exist, but I have an affinity for these older kits. They are from my father’s childhood and to a lesser extent, mine. And I like giving them a new lease on life, because... who else will? A less then new / accurate 1/72 kit, the Airfix P-40 needed some work. I detailed it out with available aftermarket parts, light scratch-building (if at all), early USAAC Markings (Olive Drab, Stars with red dot). P-40E Kit • Aftermarket Resin Cockpit added • Aftermarket Resin Prop Spinner added • Wheel well canvas covers made out of paper towels soaked in a water / glue mixture • Canopy cut and separated for an open cockpit • Rear windows cut from clear acetate sheet • Chin scoop intake remolded / sanded / reshaped • Rudder and Flight controls cut and pitched • Landing Gear doors scratch built • Masked and painted with Rattle can paints • Weathered using dry brush and pastels • Decals bashed together (stars were replaced with more accurate examples. • Prop blurs added • Middle 50 cal wing gun deleted and 30 cal nose guns added to simulate P-40B 1940 Mercury Convertible • 3D Designed model custom made for diorama • Driver door cut off and glued in an open position • Front wheels turned • Primed and spray painted • In the process of being painted / detailed • License Plate designed / sized / printed Figures • 1/72nd Presier Luftwaffe figures used for the majority of diorama • Slight modification / sanding needed for all of them • Scratch built Film Camera and Boom Mic Plaque • Designed plaque and engraved at local trophy shop (3 times!) • Film strip printed on acetate with white cardstock backing • Simple light fixture added underneath film strip There are still a few things left to do on the 1940 Mercury but I'm fairly happy with how its come out. BiggTim, mustang1989 and LSP_Kevin 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_Ray Posted April 9, 2020 Share Posted April 9, 2020 Nice diorama! Great idea for a subject. What would be epic is to now do the same dio in 1/32nd! I can tell you, painting the figures is a lot easier in 1/43nd! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wingman777 Posted April 9, 2020 Share Posted April 9, 2020 Very nice. Love the concept. I agree it's a one of a kind movie worth watching repeatedly. Good work!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mustang1989 Posted April 9, 2020 Share Posted April 9, 2020 VERY cool subject!! Nicely done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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