Subject: Re: Brazilian P-40M Academy 1/72 for ARC Gallery
From: "Submissions for ARC" <[email-masked]>
To: "mario.serelle" <[email-masked]>
Date: Tue, 11 Mar 2008 14:01:38 -0700

Hi,
I just wanted to let you know your article went on ARC today.  Thanks again for sending it in.

Steve Bamford
Aircraft Resource Center
http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com

Live like there is no tomorrow;
Love like you've never been hurt.
Work like you don't need the money.
Dance like nobody's watching.
Sing like nobody's listening.
Live like it's Heaven on Earth.

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: mario.serelle 
  To: submissions 
  Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2008 4:57 AM
  Subject: Brazilian P-40M Academy 1/72 for ARC Gallery

  Hello Steve, here is one more contribution to ARC. The following layout for the pictures is just a suggestion. 

  Thanks

  Mario Serelle

  -----------------------------

  Curtiss P-40M Warhawk - Academy 1/72

  by Mario Serelle

  Picture 01.jpg

  Força Aérea Brasileira (FAB) had received a mix of Curtiss P-40E, K, M and N models from 1942 that were used mainly as homeland defense fighters during WW2 years while the P-47 Thunderbolts were doing their job in Italy. In November 1945, after the return of the P-47s from Europe, all remaining Warhawks were sent to Canoas AB to equip the 3rd Fighter Group (later re-assigned 1º/14º GAv - 1st Squadron / 14th Aviation Group) which became the only P-40 operator in FAB up to 1954 when all Warhawks were finally retired. 

  Picture 02.jpg

  This is the 1/72 scale Academy P-40M/N kit built to depict one of the five P-40M used by 1º/14º GAv from 1951 to 54. It's a very nice model and quite easy to assemble, but still with room for some improvements. I've added some scratchbuilt details in cockpit, completed with photo-etched instrument panel and seat belts. Unfortunately most of this work cannot be seen because it was not possible to pose the canopy opened. Actually the canopy is the only negative point of this kit because it is too narrow and too high to properly fit fuselage curves. I've tried two vacuum-formed options but none of them (both designed for Hasegawa P-40E kits) fitted as desired because fuselage area behind the cockpit is too wide.

  External additional items include only aluminum foil to replicate the tail wheel canvas cover and Quickboost resin exhaust. This was the first time I used Quickboost exhausts and it really makes a difference, especially in 1/72 scale. 

  Pictures 03.jpg / 04.jpg / 05.jpg as thumbnails

  The metallic finish seen on many Brazilian aircraft from 1950s and 60s is not a natural metal as it looks. These aircraft were actually painted with a metallic colored lacquer named "Alumilac" here in Brazil, and I choose Metalizer Aluminum paint to replicate it. When Alumilac was applied everything was painted with it, including wheel wells, interior of landing gear doors and the area behind the side windows. Three coats of Future Floor were applied to seal the fragile Metalizer and green/yellow rudder and black anti-glare panel were painted after. Markings came from sheet "P-40s 1º/14º GAv. Esq. Pampa" produced by Brazilian company FCM Decals, a very comprehensive sheet that includes markings for almost every P-40 flew by 1º/14º GAv. Weathering was completed using oil paints and pastel chalks. 

  Pictures 06.jpg

  Despite the canopy problem I really liked this model. It turned out as a nice representation of one of the most important fighters in Força Aérea Brasileira history. Hope you liked it as well. 

  Pictures 07.jpg / 08.jpg as thumbnails

  Mario Serelle