Cutting Edge Modelworks

1/48 P-40E & N Colorful Warhawks Part 1 decal sheet

Product # CED48209 for $8.99

Product Article by Steve Bamford on Feb 18 2004

 

 

 

This new decal sheet from Cutting Edge Modelworks includes markings for three different 1/48 P-40's.  The recommended kit for these decals is the 1/48 AMTech P-40E, AMTech P-40N and the 1/48 Mauve P-40N.

Here's a little history about the Aleutian Islands Campaign 1942-1943.
As a diversionary move in conjunction with their strike against Midway, the Japanese in June 1942 bombed Dutch Harbor in the Aleutian Island chain and landed troops on Kiska and Attu islands. Here the Japanese remained, primarily in a defensive situation, to prevent any movement by American forces toward Japan through the Aleutians. Aerial operations by the enemy and by the 11th AF were often restricted by severe weather and, in general, it was a struggle against nature rather than against rival enemy forces. During the first six months of the campaign, the 11th AF lost 72 planes, nine of which were destroyed in combat.

In May 1943, American forces seized Attu and on July 10 the AAF began using it as a base for raids against the Kurile Islands. When U.S. troops invaded Kiska on August 15, they found the enemy had already given up its foothold on the North American outpost two weeks before. Bombing raids against the Kuriles were limited, although the presence of American forces immobilized substantial numbers of enemy aircraft as a defense against a major attack on the northern Japanese islands which never came.

The first Warhawk on this decal sheet is P-40E-1 with the 11th FS, 343rd FG at Kiska in the Aleutian Islands of Alaska in 1942.  This fighter is Olive Drab on the top and sides and Neutral Gray on the underside.  Markings include a thin white fuselage band directly behind the canopy and a similar narrow fuselage band on the rudder......both of these bands are a bit tilted from the vertical axis.  The noseart steals the show....it is a predator with huge deadly looking teeth surrounding the intake on the underside of the nose.  This aircraft has a small fairing over the first exhaust stub and info about how it looks are included in the instructions. 

The second Warhawk on this decal sheet is A P-40N-5-CU with Army Pilot Class 43-K at Napier Alabama in 1943.  This fighter is Olive Drab on the top and sides and Neutral Gray on the underside.  The noseart is big....it is a parrots head....with a killer serious intend in it's eye.  The mouth of this birds head is down by the intake on the lower part of the nose.

The third Warhawk on this decal sheet is A P-40e-1 captured by the Japanese at an unknown date and location.  This fighter is Olive Drab on the top and sides and Neutral Gray on the underside.  The Olive Drab on the cloth covered rudder is a lighter faded shade that the rest of the airframe.  Markings include a thin white fuselage band just before the tail......this bands are a bit tilted from the vertical axis.  National insignia is of course for Japan with the fuselage and upper wing 'meatballs' having a white border around them.  

The decals are 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.  I particularly like the selection of noseart as well as the aircraft captured by the Japanese.  You get enough national markings for all three aircraft.

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

A very nice decal sheet and highly recommended for all the P-40 builders or people with an interest in the Pacific War during WW2.

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