AMT/Ertl 1/48 P-40E

[TedsScaleModeling]

So this is my first "in progress" post to the site (or ANY site for that matter) AND the first model I have built in 15 years. I pulled this kit out of the stash because it is the last one I left off with way back then. I had painted and partically built the cockpit and then just stopped. Seems a reasonable place to begin again...

[TedsScaleModeling]

I started by closing up the open cowling panels. I kind of dreaded this as I figured the fit would be awful. Nope! They actually fit nice and snug. No filler required!

[TedsScaleModeling]

I decided to add some paper seatbelts to the seat. Noticed a pretty big ejection pin mark in the seat bottom but decided to leave it. The canopy provided with this kit is a one-piece so it will be closed up anywere. The pin mark should disappear adequately enough under the paint job and the lap belts.

[TedsScaleModeling]

Here are the belts in place and painted up.

[TedsScaleModeling]

I found an OLD Eduard photoetch fret in the box that I must have bought years ago. I decided to use the main wheel well details from the kit. This meant grinding off the kit detail, which I had never done before. I was able to locate my Dremel Mini tool and set to work. I wasn't very careful and you will see in the 2nd photo below that I managed to screw up the wing root leading edge. This was ALSO my first encounter with folding photoetch. I know, its pretty basic stuff but I was a bit nervous about it.

[TedsScaleModeling]

And this last photo is as far as I've gotten. The fuselage and wings are together. I may have rushed it a bit and now have some poor wing root fit/gaps to deal with . I will next add the main under carriage fairings and address all the seams thus far. I have some filling and sanding in my future!

[Paul]

Nice work ted look forward to seeing more progress

[Lee]

Great start after a 15 year hiatus

[TedsScaleModeling]

A little textual update on my progress on the AMT P-40:

I have just about all the seams addressed. Most just needed some sanding. A few required some filler (see the CANYONS at the wing roots in the photos above). I used Vallejo 401 filler for the first time and I have to say that despite the negative reviews I have read online, I found the putty worked well and was easy to smooth out and clean up. Some Qtips or paper towels and some isopropyl alcohol and it smoothed right out or cleaned right up.

I failed to follow the instructions closely and made a construction boo-boo that I am going to live with. We'll see who notices when I post the next set of photos.

I have to share that I found the whole process of filling, sanding and smoothing out seams rather fun tonight! It's an aspect of the hobby that I dread but after 15 years I was feeling rather nostalgic as I worked the sanding sticks. Pretty satisfying too when it all came together and the seams smoothed out.

Next stop: canopy work, masking and then painting. Now THAT has me TERRIFIED!

[HighestAce]

Is there any updates on this build? I for one would like to see it completed.

HighestAce
Doug Collins