Cutting Edge Modelworks

1/32P-36 Hawks Part 1 decal sheet

Product # CED32061 for $12.99

Product Article by Steve Bamford on July 11  2005

 

 

 

This new decal sheet from Cutting Edge Modelworks includes markings for 3 different P-36 Hawks from Hawaii including one from the Dec 7th, 1941 Pearl Harbor attack. 

The first aircraft is a P-36A flown by Maj. Ken Walker  18th Pursuit Group Commander at Wheeler Field in 1940.  Maj. Ken Walker was a crucial contributor to the airpower bombardment doctrine during WW2.  He died in a B-17 on Jan 5 1943 as a Brigadier General.  He only flew this plan for a few weeks before it was turned over to another pilot.  It was called the "gold Bug" because of the gold paint under the engine cowling and rear fuselage stripes.  The name "Gold Bug" was never painted on the plane.  The paint scheme is a bare metal pre-war scheme with red, white and blue striped tail and rudder.  There are red, yellow and black stripes over the metallic gold stripes on the rear fuselage and engine cowling and on the tops of the wings.  Code #'s on the tail are "PR 1".  There is also some artwork on the side of the fuselage of a yellow shield with a black rooster.   

The second aircraft is a P-36A with the Air Material Division at Wright Field O. in 1940. The paint scheme is a bare metal pre-war scheme with a bronze green anti-glare panel in front of the windscreen and red, white and blue striped tail and rudder.  There is a "Wright" "logo" on the side of the fuselage.  Code #'s on the tail are "12 MD" and there is a small black 12 on the side of the engine cowling.  

The third aircraft is a P-36A with the 46th Pursuit Squadron, 15th Pursuit Group flown by Lt. Phil Rasmussen Pearl Harbor on Dec 7 1941. The paint scheme is a bare metal pre-war scheme with a bronze green anti-glare panel in front of the windscreen and red, white and blue striped tail and rudder.  There is a bug black #86 on the side of the fuselage.  Code #'s on the tail are "48 15P".  Lt. Phil Rasmussen took off with 4 other pilots during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec 7 1941.  Lt. Phil Rasmussen was still wearing his pajamas when he took on on that famous morning.  He was credited with one kill against the huge Japanese force, but his airplane sustained over 500 holes for his heroic efforts against over whelming odds.   

The decals were flawlessly printed and in perfect registration.  

The instructions are clear and include colour drawings to assist in decal placement as well as having the specific colours listed to aid in the painting process.  There is also 1 and 1/2 pages of text including information about all three aircraft.

A very nice decal sheet and will be helpful for anyone building the big 1/32 P-36 using the Trumpeter P-40B with the Cutting Edge Modelworks resin P-36 conversion set.

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