My S&P Repaints - Page 16

**Rata** · #**151** 06-14-2019, 11:16 PM

I've completed a couple more Harvard/Texans that will appear on here when test built.
As an aside I've added some of my own versions to the variety of subjects of an equally important WWII type that Brent produced a while back. I'm talking of course about the venerable and widely used Curtiss P-40 series.
As a kid my first modelling exposure to this plane was the old 1/72 Airfix Kittyhawk kit. The 112 Sqn sharkmouth decals really grabbed me. In 1970 an uncle took me to see 'Tora! Tora! Tora!' and it was that film that absolutely got me hooked on the P-40 to this day. Of course we all know now that in those pre CG days the film makers used a different version of the P-40's that were based around Pearl Harbor in Dec 1941. But this historical inaccuracy and the fact they used converted T-6's and Vultee Valiants for the Japanese planes was totally lost on this 11 year old aeroplane fanatic. Even today when I rewatch the movie's attack sequence on Youtube I'm in awe of what the movie makers achieved.
So what better way to start my P-40 series than with one of the 1970 film's stars.
The design is one of Bruno's earlier efforts but is a fine basis for repainting. I added some of my own refinements: landing gear; wing root fairings; revised rear fuselage and spinner plus I redid the canopy. I think the changes work reasonably well but please let me know what you think.
As of this post I've completed six other recolours (including the Airfix GA-Y

). There are (and will be) other P-40E's, F's, K's, M's and N versions.

**cafe** · #**152** 06-15-2019, 01:09 AM

Wow, it's a very nice and clean build!

**Mike1158** · #**153** 06-15-2019, 02:03 AM

Very nice airframe.

**Vinalssergio155** · #**154** 06-15-2019, 03:43 AM

Great, extremely clean as always. Magnificient work Garry !!

**Butelczynski** · #**155** 06-15-2019, 05:40 AM

Very clean P-40.Excellent build.

I saw "Battle of Britain","Tora,Tora,Tora" and bunch of other war films while in scouts.We were really floored with effects in them and planes.Russian war films hardly ever had any planes in them so it was great treat.

**PacificWind** · #**156** 06-15-2019, 07:30 AM

Really good work Garry!
P-40 is absolutely fantastic aircraft and one of my favorites.

To me, old movies are usually way better than those produced after 2000. However, if we're considering WWII war movies, then I think those after 2000 are actually better. The era of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s was in my opinion a golden era of action, crime, drama, western and thriller movies.
Tora! Tora! Tora! and Midway are great and very accurate in all those vehicles and equipment but on the other hand we have films like Battle of the Bulge or The Big Red One with horrible looking Patton tanks, M51 Ishermans and M3 Half-Track in Third Reich service...
If we take a look on what we had after 2000, there're masterpieces like Flags of our Fathers, Letters from Iwo Jima, Band of Brothers, Pacific, Enemy at the Gates, Dunkirk. I think that today we pay more attention to the details and I remember how stunning it was to see a real Tiger I in Fury.

**Brent** · #**157** 06-15-2019, 09:23 AM

Great job Garry, I'm looking forward to seeing the other P-40's.

Brent

**tigertony100** · #**158** 06-15-2019, 01:43 PM

Very good construction Rata. BTW the converted Zeros in Tora, Tora, Tora were Mexican Air Force AT-6 of the Colegio del Aire. Tony.

**gomidefilho** · #**159** 06-15-2019, 04:07 PM

Very nice Garry! Waiting for new series of Havards and new P-40 series...

**Rata** · #**160** 06-15-2019, 04:50 PM

Thanks people. I wasn't aware of that fact re the Mexican T-6's Tony. Will post a pic of the partly built next one today: a P-40F.