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.
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