Colonel Robert L. Scott's P-40E "Flying Tiger"; Part One
by Rodney Williams

There has been a real "restored" P-40E flying around the air show circuit for several years. The owner had his aircraft painted and adorned with Colonel Scott's markings. My client wanted me to build a 1/32 scale model of this aircraft. No weathering to speak of, and that is ok with me, whatever the client wants, I give it to him as best as I can!

This photo shows the "RESTORED" P-40E.
I had one black and white photo of the real aircraft...
and one "cut-a-way" drawing, plus some photos of the cockpit, and main gear assembly. As I have mentioned many times, "It was cut and fit, until it fit and it looked ok to me."

Part one of this story was published in the IPMS/USA Journal in February, 1997. I had planned to finish the story but the IPMS editor David Von Almen did not publish my 8 drawings. When I ask why not? His reply was: "I'M THE EDITOR." Great! Why should anyone, who spends many hours on the drawings, finish any story? Without the drawings, the text and photos don't do much good. Look at the enclosed drawings, including the technical data, then tell me who is right?

We had some problems with "Archer Dry Transfers," for the P-51D "The Duck" which is being posted on the "ARC" web site. My client had ordered dry transfers for the P-40E from Archer.

David did not want me to write anything negative about the dry transfers, so I said fine, just print my drawings in the next issue.What I do not understand about David is: "Why did he print all my drawings for my 1/24 scale P-51D conversion to the P-51B "SLEEPYTIMEGAL," (which is on the "LSP" web site) and not print the drawings for the P-40E? It makes no since at all. I had a few dozen "preliminary" drawings for the "DUCK," but I discarded all of them!

If you desire, print out the drawings, and go for the GOLD!

































Look closely at the color photos of the gears attached to the wheel wells. All of these parts are put together using white glue. You will note several .020" diameter white rods put in place. They are not cut off, nor are they mushroomed over on the ends. I just wet the white glue and remove all the parts, once I know everything fits properly. They are painted, and photographed, then set aside for final assembly. The white rods are then cut to length, and mushroomed over on the ends.






















Go to part two
© Rodney Williams 2002