Hasegawa P-40K Warhawk
8188
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Manufacturer: Hasegawa |
Parts: 15 gray & 3 clear sprue's, 1 set Polly caps. |
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Kit No: 8188 |
Panel lines: Engraved. |
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Scale: 1/32nd |
Cockpit: Raised, with optional instrument decals. |
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Type: Injection molded |
Decal options: 2 |
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Decal option 1: P-40K, 255, Maj Edward M Nollmeyer, 26th FS, 51st FG, USAAF, China, December 1943, Shark Mouth. |
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Decal option 2: P-40K, 10, Hyde's Harlot, 78th FS, 18th FG, USAAF, Hawaii, 1942/1943, Snake nose-art. |
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When you open the top opening box you're greated with 3 bags full of sprues, some of which are very small and only include the parts which are typical for the P-40K. For the rest there's a instruction sheet and a decal sheet With the 2 decal options.
The Instruction starts as usual for the hasegawa kits with the layout of the sprues with the parts masked of in dark gray which aren't used in this kit. The Construction starts with the very good detailed cockpit. The instrument panel has lovely raised detail which can be painted in the right colors or you can use the decals. This is one of the first kits I see of a ww2 era plane with a seat that includes detail! and, there are no straps molded onto it, but these aren't included in the kit either, so you have to get some aftermarked for them, or create them yourself. The cockpit is completed with the two perfectly detailed side walls. With some work, this cockpit will turn out in a excellent replica with little aftermakted products to be used. After building the typical airintake the both fuselage halfs can be closed. Construction continiues with completing the frontpart of the fuselage. After you have completed the front part of the fuselage you will go on with the wheel wells and the wings. The wheelwells are perfectly detailed and are fully closed. Don't forget to open the holes for the bombracks if you want to use them! after placing the wheel wells can place the upper wings. If you want to use the clear parts for the wing navigation lights you have to make some 8mm holes in the wing tips. After this the Tailfin needs to be build, this is seperate because of the different versions which Hasegawa has planned to release.
Next you can add the wings and the tailpiece to the main fuselage and add the gun ports. After adding the canopy side windows and the exhausts, the lower fuselage will be detailed, and you can choose if you want to load your aircraft with a auxiliary fuel tank or a bomb. After this you'll build the main landing gear, which is again very well detailed, consisting of 9 pieces each, the wheel doors and the tailwheel are added in the next step. Hasegawa has included a excellent detailed pilot figure which is one of the best I have ever seen! And finaly the canopy is added, as is the propeller and the final detailing which makes the P-40 complete.
Hasegawa has included two decal options within this kit. The first one is for a P-40K fown by Major Edward M. Nollmeyer, with the 26th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group based in China during december 1943. This option includes a Sharkmouth which is covered by a yellow badge with a bunny, and a black badge with a bunny under the canopy The Wheel hubs are red/yellow for this option. The second option is for a P-40K from the 78th Fighter Squadron, 18th Fighter Group based at Hawaii USA, somewhere during 1942, 1943.This option includes a large Snake head around the exhausts and the name "Hyde's Harlot". The decals are perfectly in register, color looks good, and the decals are finished glossy.
All together this P-40K Warhawk is, together with it's P-40E Brother, a very welcome addition to the large collection of world war 2 fighters which are already available! the only option for a P-40 were the P-40B/C from trumpeter and the ancient P-40E kit from revell. Hasegawa has done a terific job with releasing their P-40 family, the only thing I can say now is "Please! More versions!"
Niels Dol