Cutting Edge Modelworks

1/32 Tomahawks AVG Flying Tigers decal sheet

Product # CED32053 for $8.99

Product Article by Steve Bamford on Apr 19 2004

 

 

 

This new decal sheet from Cutting Edge Modelworks includes markings for two different 1/32 H81A-2 Tomahawks (P-40B's).  The recommended kit for these decals is the 1/48 Trumpeter P-40B.

This is another in the continuing series of decals honoring the legendary American Volunteer Group or "Flying Tigers".  These American pilots hired by the Chinese were an impressive disruption to the Japanese as they fought against the Chinese prior to Dec 7 1941.  It is a very big story....too big to go into here.

The first aircraft is a Hawk 81-A-2 (P-40B) flown by Erik Shilling.  Serial numbers are P-8153 or P-8147 of the 2nd P.S. of the American Volunteer Group in Kunming, China in 1942.  The paint scheme on this P-40 appears to be the British camo scheme of Dark Green and Dark Brown on top and FS 16473 Aircraft Grey on the underside.  This plane had a thin white stripe around the rear of the fuselage and a blue stripe for the 2nd PS was added.  This aircraft has a sharks mouth and of note....the lips on the sharks mount are the same colour of blue as the 2nd PS fuselage band.  Artwork on the engine cowling is persons head wearing what appears to be a turban.  This particular aircraft  was converted to  reconnaissance duties which involves removing the wing guns and added a scale 10" hole in the underside of the fuselage belly immediately under the fuselage access hatch door.   Serial numbers on the tail are P-8147 or P-8153.....decals for each serial number are provided.  This aircraft has Chinese national insignia. 

The second aircraft is a Hawk 81-A-2 (P-40B) flown by John Newkirk.  Serial numbers are P-8196 of the 2nd P.S. of the American Volunteer Group in Toungoo, Burma in Dec 1941.  The paint scheme on this P-40 appears to be the British camo scheme of Dark Green and Dark Brown on top and FS 16473 Aircraft Grey on the underside.  This plane had a thin blue stripe around the rear of the fuselage for the 2nd PS.  This aircraft has a sharks mouth on the engine cowling.  Artwork on the side of the fuselage is Panda Bear wearing a Tuxedo and top hat.  Serial numbers on the tail are P-8196.  This aircraft has Chinese national insignia and on the rear of the fuselage is the large white number 34.  An extra set of larger Chinese National insignia are included for this aircraft.

The decals were flawlessly printed and the clear carrier film is trimmed very close to the crisply printed colored areas.  The colours look good and will cover very well.  The artwork is interesting and any AVG decals are always a welcome product.  

A very special bonus is you get extra Chinese Nation insignia.  Chinese markings often faded in the intense Chinese sun, so faded and non-faded Chinese national insignia are included. 

The instructions are clear and includes 3 view drawings and an extra page of text instructions is included with a small bit of info about both of the planes as well as helpful tips for decal application. 

A very nice decal sheet and highly recommended for all the Tomahawk builders and especially AVG fans out there.

I would like to thank Cutting Edge Modelworks for providing me with this review sample.

Steve

Click on images below to see larger images of the instruction sheets

 

Photos and text © by Steve Bamford