This new decal
sheet from Cutting
Edge Modelworks includes markings for four different 1/32 H81A-2 Tomahawks
(P-40B). The recommended kits for these decals is the 1/32 Trumpeter P-40B.
The American Volunteer Group or
"Flying Tigers" is a story that will live in legend forever.
These American pilots hired by the Chinese were an impressive disruption to the
Japanese as they fought against the Chinese prior to Dec 7 1941. It is a
very big story....too big to go into here.
The first aircraft is a Hawk
81-A-2 (P-40B) flown by RT Smith, P-8173, when he was the Flight Leader of the
3rd P.S., with the American Volunteer Group (Flying Tigers) in Kunming, China in
January 1942. The paint scheme is Dark Brown and dark Green on the topside
and Aircraft Gray on the underside. Markings include the Flying Tiger on
the side of the fuselage behind the cockpit. This aircraft had 5 kill
markings at this point in time. In front of the cockpit on the side of the
fuselage is a sitting naked red angel with a Halo on her head. This
aircraft has a classic looking sharks mouth and the white number "77"
on the rear side of the fuselage. There is a thin red fuselage band on the
rear of the fuselage. The serial number "P-8173" is on the
tail. This aircraft has Chinese National insignia and an extra set
of faded national insignia is included in case you choose to model your flying
Tiger as a sun faded example. With regards to the Shark Mouth on the
Flying Tiger aircraft......this had a double meaning. For the Chinese the
tiger is an animal representing one of the 12 animal years in their
Zodiac. The Tiger is a much respected and strong animal in the Chinese
Zodiac. But for the Japanese.....an island people.....the sharks mouth
represents something they fear the most.....the shark. Hence the Flying
Tiger aircraft with the Sharks mouth had a very symbolic double meaning.
The
second aircraft is a Hawk
81-A-2 (P-40B) flown by Tommy Haywood, P-8162, when he was the Flight Leader of
the 3rd P.S., with the American Volunteer Group (Flying Tigers) in Kunming,
China in January 1942. The paint scheme is Dark Brown and dark Green on
the topside and Aircraft Gray on the underside. Markings include the
Flying Tiger on the side of the fuselage behind the cockpit. This aircraft
had 3 kill markings at this point in time. In front of the cockpit on the
side of the fuselage is a reclined naked red angel with a Halo on her
head. This aircraft has a classic looking sharks mouth and the white
number "94" on the rear side of the fuselage. There is a thin
red fuselage band on the rear of the fuselage. The serial number
"P-8162" is on the tail. This aircraft has Chinese National
insignia and an extra set of faded national insignia is included in case you
choose to model your flying Tiger as a sun faded example.
The decals were flawlessly printed and the clear
carrier film is trimmed very close to the crisply printed colored areas.
The colours look good and will cover very well. The artwork is interesting
to say the least.
A very special bonus is you get
extra Chinese Nation insignia. The Chinese markings often faded in the
intense Chinese sun, so faded and non-faded Chinese national insignia are
included.
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