XP-40Q Warhawk
"Last Version"

Planet Models, 1/48

Reviewed by Steven "Modeldad" Eisenman

Planet Models' 1/48 scale XP-40Q is available online from Squadron 

Keeping up with the Jones

Well, maybe not the Jones, but rather keeping up with the Mustangs and the T-bolts. The XP-40Q-2 basically was Curtiss’s last attempt to create a modern high speed, high performance fighter out of the venerable P-40 airframe. 

The route to the XP-40Q-2 appears to have started with a P-40K-10 (42-9987).  It retained its cockpit and fuselage spine, but had a redesigned nose to accept the Allison V-1710-121 engine with a four bladed prop. The under-chin radiator was moved to the underside between the wheel wells in a shallow, but wide configuration. This was designated the XP-40Q. 

A second P-40K (42-45722) was modified, having its spine lowered and a bubble canopy installed.  The radiator was kept under the chin, but it was shallower than one on previous P-40s.  There were also additional intakes in the leading edge of the wings.  Later on, the wings were clipped, reducing the span by over two feet. 

While the XP-40Q was the hottest Warhawk produced, it could not keep up with the Mustangs and T-bolts in almost every aspect, including armament; the P-40Q only had two .50 cal guns per wing!

Having built a number of resin kits, including one of Plant Models’ most intricate kits, the Do 22, I find that resin kits are not much more difficult to build than limited run kits, and sometimes easier.  

Looking at the parts in this ultimate version of the P-40Q, it looks to be a relative straight forward assembly.  The parts themselves do not differ that much from what would find in an injection molded P-40 kit.  There are no burdensome pour plugs that must be removed. Where there are plugs, removal of the cast part can be done with a #11 blade or a few swipes with a fine-toothed razor saw.  The fuselage halves appear to line up very well, in a test fitting. 

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

One of the problems with resin kits in the past has been the trench like panel lines.  While the panel lines in the Planet Models P-40Q may not be as fine as those on the new Hasegawa P-40E, I believe they are quite well done for a resin kit. 

Details are rendered quite well.  There are individual, hollow exhausts, which must be removed with care.  The wheels have a beautifully molded block tread design.  The wheel wells have a nice depth and the rib detail of the inside of the upper wing is molded in.  The one detail that I cannot seem to figure out are the trim-tab actuating arms on the tail-planes.  I am unable to see them on pictures of the actual aircraft. 

You will most likely need to use brass rod or tube as a support for the tail-planes.  The kit only provided for a butt join to the fuselage. 

There has been a bit of discussion recently about the sweep of the leading edge of the P-40’s main wing.  According to a recent posting by Dana Bell, the factory drawing shows a sweep of 1.5 degrees.  While the leading edge of wing of this Planet models kit appears to be quite perpendicular to the centerline, I put the wing on the grid on my cutting board.  The grid showed that the wings are not perfectly perpendicular to the centerline.  Doing the best free hand measuring I could do, it appears that there is a one-sixteenth or so difference between the horizontal line of the grid and the leading edge at the tip.  This would be about 3 scale inches.  If the wing is, in fact, 35.25 feet in span, then after doing some work on the old calculator, it would appear that a sweep of 1.5 degrees would be approximately 3.1725 inches off the perpendicular from the center line. 

There are two very thin and clear vac-form canopies.  The canopy frames are not very distinct so care in masking will be required.  One of the canopies in my sample came with a small crushed spot.  Also, the canopies seem to be subject to a great deal of static electricity and attracted all sorts of dust.  So clean carefully before you Future and attach the canopy. 

Markings 

There are markings for two aircraft, which are one in the same.  The P-40Q (42-45722) originally was finished in Olive Drab over Neutral Gray with a shark mouth.  Later the aircraft was stripped of all paint except for the Olive Drab anti-glare panel. 

So you have a choice to present this Warhawk in full battle dress, or in natural metal. 

I know what you are thinking:  “Yes, it is a nice model of interesting aircraft, but at nearly $70.00!!!”  First lets state the obvious, there is no way you could build more than two, due to marking limitations, and most likely you’ll build only one.  Second, resin kits are expensive. No two ways about it.  But for any one doing the Hawk family, this one cannot be avoided.  Regardless of the accuracy of any given kit, for all practical purposes, fans of the Hawks can now assemble a collection beginning with the P-36 and go through the entire P-40 alphabet to Q. 

All things considered, I highly recommend this kit. 

One final question: I wonder if a P-40N nose cane be mated to the Planet Models kit to produce the one P-40N customized with a bubble canopy and lowered spine?

• Curtiss P-40 in Action; Squadron / Signal Publications; 1976

• Curtiss P-40; Vlastimil Ehrman and Valerij Roman; MBI Publications; 1998.

Thanks to MPM / Planet Models for the review sample.

MPM and Planet Model kits are available worldwide through hobby retailers worldwide and at Squadron.com

Review and Images Copyright © 2005 by Steven Eisenman
Page Created 29 June, 2005
Last updated 28 June, 2005

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