P-40F/L - Kittyhawk Mk.II
Super Detailed Cockpit Set

Meteor Productions

HyperScale is proudly sponsored by Meteor Productions

AMtech's 1/48 scale P-40F Long-Tail kit addresses a few of the problems that plagued the initial release of their P-40E. This model has eliminated any step between the fuselage and empennage; and the raised blemishes seen on the initial release P-40E are not present.

Furthermore, AMtech were not satisfied with the shape and detail of the nose of the original AMT fuselage, so they have supplied a brand-new solid resin nose for modellers who want a more accrate profile for their Merlin-powered Warhahk/Kittyhawk.

The cockpit is still pretty basic, though. Considering the accuracy of the kit with the new nose added, the Cutting Edge Modelworks P-40F/L cockpit is a very worthwhile addition.

The P-40F/L / Kittyhawk Mk. II cockpit comprises 19 parts in grey resin and a sheet of clear acetate with printed instruments. All parts are cast onto thin strips of resin except for the seat, which is on a small block.

Very little work was required to remove and prepare the resin parts. Preparation of the AMtech model was similarly simple. A few details have to be sanded from the sidewalls and 1/32" must be removed from the instrument coaming.

The cockpit floor is cast as a single part with the forward and aft bulkheads. This makes alignment a simple matter. Detail is impressive on all the parts. The armoured rear bulkhead has been reinforced at the back to ensure that it does not warp and create fit problems. The sidewalls are packed with raised and undercut detail.

The instrument panel is supplied as four parts - three in resin and the optional acetate instruments. I used the acetate instruments when I build this set.

The seat is the last main part, and it is very nice indeed. The real seat is made from pressed metal, and features indented reinforcement channels on the backrest and the sides. These pressed metal channels are faithfully reproduced in resin. The seat itself is admirably thin too. American-style harnesses are moulded as part of the seat. However, note that many Commonwealth Kittyhawk Ias were fitted with the British Sutton Harness. Check your references!

The oxygen blinker, regulator and kidney armour plates are supplied as separate parts because they were not fitted to all aircraft. The finishing touches are rudder pedals, control column, hydraulic pump handle, gunsight, map light, selector box and headrest.

Instructions are in Cutting Edge's usual thorough format. They include notes and eight photos/diagrams, plus colour notes for painting the cockpit.

Construction Notes

I have already built the new AMtech kit using the resin nose and the Cutting Edge cockpit.

I can advise that the resin nose does not interfere with the fit of the cockpit in any way.

I also found that the sidewalls can be attached to the interior of the kit fuselage, then the remaining completed cockpit (fitted with the seat, instrument panel, gunsight and other parts) can be slotted into the assembled fuselage.

It is not advisable to glue the bottom sides of the cockpit floor to the kit fuselage sides. The AMtech kit has a gap between the wing root and the wings which can be easily closed by spreading the fuselage before the wing is attached. If the edges of the cockpit floor are glued to the inside of the fuselage sides, it will limit the ability to spread the fuselage.

Cutting Edge's P-40F/L cockpit is a worthwhile accessory that will make a noticeable difference to your AMtech Warhawk/Kittyhawk.

This is a simple accessory too. The parts are almost a drop-fit in the AMtech kit.

Recommended for anyone building the AMtech P-40F/L.