This plastic was previously released by Mauve, however the 1/48th Eduard P-40N Warhawk re-release (in the early 2000s) contains additional resin parts along with a photo-etched fret and canopy masks to create a more detailed package for you.
Notable Kit Features:
Detail level in cockpit now includes resin, PE and decal instruments (3 versions)
Intake is resin, with wire mesh PE
Wheel wells as well as tires are detailed in resin
Finely engraved panel lines
Nice fitting parts (Generally speaking)
Bomb details are provided in resin and PE (fins)
Build Inspiration:
Beginning in May 1943, thirty-five Curtiss P-40N fighters were delivered to the Royal Canadian Air Force as the Kittyhawk Mk.IV. My model represents RCAF serial number 857, aircraft "V" of No.135(F) Squadron, RCAF. Stationed at Patricia Bay, British Columbia, in 1944-45, this is the only RCAF Kittyhawk IV that I was able to find photos of. It appeared in a rather unique finish of Dark Green / Ocean Grey over Medium Sea Grey... now we have ourselves a project to be done!
Heads-Up Report:
There is a LOT of VERY small cockpit PE
Wheel well resin detail will require sanding to fit inside wing (get the mask on, remove any food/beverages from the bench and clean-up, as this dust is toxic)
Fuselage to wing-root fit seems to require some additional work
Main gear oleo scissors are incorrectly moulded to the oleo struts
Exhaust pieces are all separate stubs
Propeller blades are visibly too long (P-40s had an 11' prop)
Mediocre Browning wing guns
The (old) Eduard masks ended up being useless as they did not adhere to the windscreen curves (for me - your experience could vary)
Kit Additions / Modifications:
Sprue-based spreaders were glued into fuselage to get fuselage and wing join aligned
The P-40 eleven foot prop required a trim down to 69.85mm (I may have rounded this up to an even 70mm :)
Slightly drilled ends of wing machine guns for a more convincing look
My (2nd-hand) kit was sadly missing the gear-based PE (as I found out well after purchase) so that is why you don't see it here :(
RCAF Decals provided by my "Spares" stash
Finishing:
This P-40N had an unusual paint finish of the RAF later war Dark Green / Ocean Gray over Medium Sea Gray. I applied this in a faded paint tone look (although it may be pretty subtle and difficult to see in the photographs.) The spinner was painted in a medium blue tone. Standard gloss coat was applied for decals and washes to be applied, followed by a Model Master dull coat to seal everything in and matte it down. Last steps were to add on all the small details, like antennas and navigation lights, as well as brush on some exhaust stains using oil paints with a dry-brush technique.
The After-Build Report:
The repackaging of Mauve's P-40N with new markings plus resin and photo-etched detail really breathed some new life into this Kittyhawk and in my books this makes the 1/48th Eduard P-40N Warhawk a recommended build for experienced model makers. (The complexities of PE and resin move it out of the category of a simple or beginner construction project)
Feel free to comment or ask any questions - Keep on building, gain experience, challenge yourself if you like, but try not to stress yourself out over the build - it is supposed to be an enjoyable hobby after all - Cheers!