Hobby 2000 48002 - 1:48 P-40N Warhawk Over CBI China, Burma, India

Plastic model kit of the Curtiss P-40N Warhawk fighter in 1:48 scale

Hobby 2000 48002 is a self-assembly model of the Curtiss P-40N Warhawk fighter in a release devoted to aircraft from the China-Burma-India theatre. The kit is based on Hasegawa plastic, to which the Polish publisher added its own box, illustrated assembly instructions, self-adhesive masks and a new decal sheet.

The sheet covers two marking options: P-40N-15 serial 42-106297 "Bugs!" of the 118th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron within the 23rd Fighter Group, from May 1944, and P-40N-5 serial 42-105128 "Lulu Belle" flown by 2nd Lt. Philip R. Adair of the 89th Fighter Squadron, 80th Fighter Group. Both are recognisable, individually marked aircraft from one of the most exotic theatres of the war.

The model captures the characteristic silhouette of the N version: the slim nose with the radiator under the engine cowling, the glazed rear canopy section improving rearward visibility, and the wings with their heavy machine gun bays.

What's in the box:

• Plastic sprues with fuselage, wings, tail surfaces and equipment parts
• Clear parts for the canopy
• Self-adhesive masks for the glazing
• Waterslide decal sheet printed by Cartograf for two marking options
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:48
• Catalogue number: 48002
• Manufacturer: Hobby 2000
• Assembled length: approx. 212 mm
• Model wingspan: approx. 237 mm
• Skill level: intermediate

Note: The kit does not include glue, paints or modelling tools. The model is intended for self-assembly.

Building the model:

Assembly is enjoyable thanks to the good fit of the parts and subtly reproduced panel lines. The cockpit is best painted and finished before joining the fuselage halves, as access to the interior is limited afterwards. The self-adhesive masks make painting the canopy framing considerably easier and give crisp edges without laborious taping.

Aircraft in the CBI theatre wore the standard American finish with olive drab upper surfaces and grey undersides, often heavily worn by the climate and intensive operations from improvised airfields. Acrylic paints matching Olive Drab and Neutral Gray work well, complemented by subtle fading of the upper surfaces. We recommend gloss varnish before the decals to limit decal silvering, and satin varnish as the final finish. Details and panel lines can be accentuated with a wash, while the undersides of the wings and the landing gear legs can be lightly dusted with pigments.

Tools you will need:

• Modelling side cutters for removing parts from the sprues
• Hobby knife or scalpel
• Files and sanding paper for cleaning up sprue gate marks
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Precision modelling tweezers
• Brushes in various sizes and an airbrush for even finishes
• Modelling paints (acrylic or enamel)
• Wash for accentuating panel lines
• Gloss varnish under the decals and satin varnish for the final finish
• Decal setting solution

About the aircraft – Curtiss P-40N Warhawk:

The Curtiss P-40 Warhawk was the most numerously produced American fighter of the first half of the Second World War and the standard equipment of many units in theatres that only appeared secondary. The N version, introduced in 1943, was an attempt to improve performance by lightening the airframe – lighter radiators, aluminium components and, in part, reduced armament were used. Its recognisable feature is the glazed rear section of the canopy.

The China-Burma-India theatre was a special environment for the P-40. Aircraft operated from improvised airfields in heat and humidity, often without proper maintenance facilities, flying fighter, ground attack and reconnaissance missions. The rugged airframe and good diving performance proved useful against Japanese fighters whose advantage lay in manoeuvrability – American pilots developed tactics of diving attacks followed by a fast break-away.

It was in China that the legend of the Flying Tigers was born, and the shark mouth painted on the engine cowling became an inseparable symbol of the P-40. Units operating in the CBI, including the 23rd and 80th Fighter Groups, continued that tradition and added colourful individual emblems on the fuselage sides – a motif that still makes these machines a rewarding modelling subject.

Original aircraft specifications (Curtiss P-40N Warhawk):

• Length: 10.16 m
• Wingspan: 11.38 m
• Height: 3.76 m
• Empty weight: approx. 2720 kg
• Maximum take-off weight: approx. 5170 kg
• Crew: 1
• Powerplant: Allison V-1710-81 inline engine of approx. 1200 hp
• Top speed: approx. 610 km/h
• Service ceiling: approx. 11,600 m
• Range: approx. 390 km, up to approx. 1200 km with an underwing fuel tank
• Armament: four or six 12.7 mm heavy machine guns in the wings
• External stores: bombs of up to approx. 230 kg or a drop tank
• Production: approx. 5200 aircraft of the N version; nearly 13,700 P-40s of all variants were built in total

About the manufacturer – Hobby 2000:

Hobby 2000 is a Polish model publisher based in Katowice that prepares its own boxings of plastic kits using sprues from established manufacturers. This kit is based on plastic by Hasegawa. The company adds its own box, illustrated assembly instructions and new decal sheets tailored to the specific subject of the release. The Hobby 2000 catalogue has a clear thematic profile – a large part of it covers aircraft and vehicles connected with Polish military history and with the modern Polish Armed Forces, as well as less common variants and theatres of operations. Individual releases appear in limited runs, often only once. For the modeller this means access to proven plastic combined with markings that are usually not available in the original boxings. The brand develops its range in 1:72, 1:48, 1:35 and 1:32 scale, covering both aviation and armour.