FR P-40N - Fighter-Bomber

[mike_cyul]

Seeing as it's the weekend and there's been time to work on the P-40, here's a few shots of the base model with a full bomb load, consisting of one 500 lb and two 250 lb bombs. The version with 50 gal. drop tanks is also done, but the tanks are missing some fittings, so pics of those will come later. Looking forward to the Christmas holidays which should allow working for two or three hours at a stretch, and which should also allow more gauge work to be done. :)

There were a few anti-sway brace types used on the wing pylons, operationally. I've gone with those in the official factory drawings and manuals. The large flat sections were made of plywood (like the pilot's seat). The threaded rods sections that held the sway braces to the bomb sides (and wing drop tank sides) were one-time use affairs, and were simply anodized and not painted.

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff311/mike_cyul/FR_P-40N/17_zpse742e4f2.jpg

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff311/mike_cyul/FR_P-40N/16_zpsf52e3602.jpg

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff311/mike_cyul/FR_P-40N/15_zpsabde45dd.jpg

[Quicksand]

Awesome work, Mike! Looks like my bank account is going to take another hit when you release this plane. :mixedsmi: I appreciate the hard work you put into recreating these historic aircraft.. :applause::icon29:

[Ian Warren]

Oooo i like that ! .. :cool:<input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><input jscode="leoInternalChangeDone()" onclick="if(typeof(jsCall)=='function'){jsCall();}else{setT imeout('jsCall()',500);}" id="jsProxy" type="hidden">

[stovall]

Looking better every time we see her. Fantastic work Mike. Thanks again for the previews. :sheep:

[jankees]

looking very nice!

[Bomber_12th]

Everything just looks absolutely exceptional, Mike! I've said it before, and I'll probably continue to make remarks about it again - it's such a rare and pleasing sight to see such a spot-on model in FS (which you've built from the original factory drawings (in-case anyone wasn't aware)), and I've always been a big fan of your texture work as well (and not only that, but your pilot models always look natural, with proper girth to them, and not plastered to the back of the seat, but rather forward in the seat and looking 'aware' and 'present'). It makes the model, with every last screenshot you post, great to look at. The detail incorporated into the bombs, sway braces, and bomb shackles is also superb! To say I'm excited to eventually have this aircraft in FSX, first hand, is a tremendous understatement.

[Bomber_12th]

BTW, for those that might be interested to know, Kermit Weeks' ultra-rare TP-40N has those same late-Warhawk wing-mounted bomb shackles fitted - in its case having been used with practice bombs state-side during the war as a training aircraft (the only restored P-40 I'm aware of to have them fitted). Sorry for the somewhat rough quality of the two scans.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/raiden/tp40n_1.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/raiden/tp40n_2.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/raiden/curtiss_tp-40n.jpg

[roger-wilco-66]

:ernae: !!!

[Snurdley]

Sold! :applause: Any chance of adding a little more shine to the model (not reflections)? Looks so good in screenshots. If not, totally understand.

[ZsoltB]

I look forward to the release!!!

:jump: