FR P-40N: Lightweight

**mike_cyul** · February 11th, 2013, 13:42

The cockpit for the lightweight P-40N-1 to -5 is almost done (just missing a light). This was the variant that had only four guns instead of six, a single wing tank instead of two, a simple non-gyro instrument panel, and had to be started externally - all this to save weight. Early models had the birdcage canopy, but later ones had the newer style. The P-40N-5-CU, which went back to having six guns (four guns were not a success), is purportedly the variant that started the new canopy, but there are plenty of photos that show four gun aircraft with this canopy. All versions had the under-wing gun bay panels with openings for three guns per wing, even if there were only two in that wing.

The lightweight P-40N was the fastest of the Warhawks/Kittyhawk IV's built, but when it came down to it, pilots preferred more guns in combat, etc., and with the -5 the P-40N went back to being fully equipped.

As this is an early P-40N, I opted to paint the cockpit entirely in Curtiss Cockpit Green/Interior Green.

Also included here are some screenshots of some of new paint schemes, starting from the yellow-nosed Aleutian aircraft on down..

As ever, more to come, all still a work in progress.

Mike

**roger-wilco-66** · February 11th, 2013, 13:44

Impressive work, beautiful!

Cheers,
Mark

**flaviossa** · February 11th, 2013, 14:38

Originally Posted by roger-wilco-66

Impressive work, beautiful!
Cheers,
Mark

+1

Waiting for this bird!!

***Roger*** · February 11th, 2013, 14:41

Lovely stuff Mike!

**Ian Warren** · February 11th, 2013, 15:06

The world is going to go P-40 mad on release

***stovall*** · February 11th, 2013, 15:35

Great stuff Mike, has always been a favorite of mine. Can't wait to fly it in the Solomon Islands scenery.

**fsxar177** · February 11th, 2013, 15:37

The specific detail to these variants is so impressive! Sure gives an education in these historic fighters.

Joseph

***Sundog*** · February 11th, 2013, 16:21

Nice work and thanks for the info. I never knew about the early N models.

***wombat666*** · February 11th, 2013, 20:43

One of my favourite WW.II aircraft and you've done a great job on her Mike, just as you did with the Spitfire Mk.IX/XVI.
Nice to see a developer thinking outside the box!!!

**MenendezDiego** · February 11th, 2013, 22:04

Love that first repaint.

***Ferry_vO*** · February 12th, 2013, 01:54

Originally Posted by wombat666

just as you did with the Spitfire Mk.IX/XVI.

What did I miss..? A Flight Replicas Spitfire..?

Good looking P-40, Mike!

**FentiFlier1** · February 12th, 2013, 02:24

It is especially nice to see a payware product not being rushed out for a quick release, but worked on until perfect :ernae:

Owen.

**mike_cyul** · February 12th, 2013, 03:20

Originally Posted by wombat666

One of my favourite WW.II aircraft and you've done a great job on her Mike, just as you did with the Spitfire Mk.IX/XVI.
Nice to see a developer thinking outside the box!!!

Sorry, Wombat, haven't done a Spitfire yet! Perhaps one day! But glad you like the P-40.

Mike

***wombat666*** · February 12th, 2013, 05:48

Duh!

Guess I had a senior moment there!!

Of course it was the definitive Bf109 and Me262 series I was thinking about!
That just makes the Warhawk even more attractive.

***stovall*** · February 12th, 2013, 06:32

Originally Posted by mike_cyul

Sorry, Wombat, haven't done a Spitfire yet! Perhaps one day! But glad you like the P-40.

Mike

Boy am I glad I got this message before I started going through my hard discs and checking a couple of old computers that are in moth balls. Whew!!

**Cleartheprop** · February 12th, 2013, 08:39

I am looking forward to this one. Great work!

**mike_cyul** · February 12th, 2013, 09:33

By the way, the rest of the WIP screenshots can be seen here: http://www.flight-replicas.com/P-40NFSX.htm

:mixedsmi:

Mike

**mal998** · February 12th, 2013, 13:47

Oh yeah, that's the one I built when I was a kid. That was a long time ago but I remember it just like it was yesterday. I'm really looking forward to this beauty.

**ZsoltB** · August 16th, 2017, 04:00

Here the correct wheel:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/samophoto2011/36220121911/

Here the FR P-40N:

Why did not any of the wheels, like the 'birdcage' version?

**Bomber_12th** · August 16th, 2017, 06:24

Because it wasn't meant to depict the restoration, it was meant to depict one of the originals from Napier Field (all of these were relegated for use as trainers with a few modifications, like the removal of the guns).

The P-40 wheels are all the same, it is just that some had/have dirt/mud covers and some didn't/don't. In this case, none of these aircraft had the covers over the wheels. Some of the FR P-40 models allow you to add/remove the covers via a clickspot in the VC, but in the case of this particular model for the Napier scheme, it is specifically setup just to have the covers permanently removed (like the original aircraft depicted).

**ZsoltB** · August 16th, 2017, 06:47

Originally Posted by Bomber_12th

Because it wasn't meant to depict the restoration, it was meant to depict one of the originals from Napier Field (all of these were relegated for use as trainers with a few modifications, like the removal of the guns).

The P-40 wheels are all the same, it is just that some had/have dirt/mud covers and some didn't/don't. In this case, none of these aircraft had the covers over the wheels. Some of the FR P-40 models allow you to add/remove the covers via a clickspot in the VC, but in the case of this particular model for the Napier scheme, it is specifically setup just to have the covers permanently removed (like the original aircraft depicted).

Thanks the info!
What the button in the VC?

**Bomber_12th** · August 16th, 2017, 07:00

If you really need to have the wheel covers on it, you can do as I have now just quickly done, by placing the "Parrot" texture into the main "Curtiss P-40N" folder (if you have the full product installed) and adding a new Aircraft.cfg entry for that variant.

When you're inside the VC, look first where the primer pump/lever is. Above it you'll find the cockpit air control. Around it/above it are three screws, and each screw when you click on it provides a different visibility option (pilot helmet, wheel covers, life jacket - some variants have the option to add/remove the wheel covers and some don't).

A screenshot of the Parrot Head/Napier Field paint scheme installed using the "Standard" P-40N model (doesn't appear to be any issues other than there aren't any fasteners drawn into the textures of the wheel covers on this one, since it was never intended to use the wheel covers in the first place). In this condition, you get all of the guns and bomb/drop tank racks installed too.

Mike really is very detail-oriented with his aircraft/productions, and with the wheel covers removed, you can even see the four points where the fasteners from the cover plates attach to the wheels themselves.