Cutting Edge Modelworks

1/32 Tomahawks AVG Flying Tigers decal sheet

Product # CED32054 for $8.99

Product Article by Steve Bamford on Apr 20 2004

 

 

 

 
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.

The instructions are clear and includes 3 view drawings and an extra page of text instructions is included with a small bit of info about one of the planes as well as helpful tips for decal application. 

A very nice decal sheet and highly recommended for all the Tomahawk builders and especially AVG fans out there.

I would like to thank Cutting Edge Modelworks for providing me with this review sample.

Steve

Click on images below to see larger images of the instruction sheets

 

Photos and text © by Steve Bamford