1/48 Hasegawa Curtis Kittyhawk IV

Gallery Article by Phil Mead on May 9 2012

 

 

For me, making this kit was all about a photograph. For years I’d wondered what colour scheme the Desert Air Force used when it moved into Italy and when I found that a friend, Doug Norrie, was an Historian for the 450Sqn RAAF Association I asked if he could help. Doug sent me the photo shown below of a 3sqn RAAF Curtis Kittyhawk IV taken at Iesi, Italy late 1944. It is the only photo I have seen showing a complete Kittyhawk with the Southern Cross on the tail and could possibly be the only one so we are pleased to share it with you. Buzz Busby helped with the colour scheme.

The aircraft is FX666 CV-Z and the squadron records show that it first operated with the squadron on 1st October 1944 and stayed with it until they converted to P51 Mustangs in November 1944. Its last operation was on the 16th November 1944 so as the photo implies it was a new aircraft in good condition throughout its time with 3sqn. At this time the squadron log records bombing sorties against bridges, vehicles and occupied buildings in the Mensa, Sesto, Bologna and Nortiano area by this aircraft.

 

Click on images below to see larger images

The Kit is typical of the good quality expected from Hasegawa and went together well. The rear fuselage is separate parts and must be added. I found the best way was to join the two left halves and right halves on a flat surface before mating the then two fuselage halves. I did this because a dry fit gave a wobbly tail. The cockpit is the usual basic arrangement but looks good enough with the addition of the seat belts. The instrument panel decal went on well and looks good. It was pointed out to me that the wheels on this kit are not correct for a P40N/Kittyhawk IV. This aircraft was a light weight version and amongst other things the wheels were smaller so I had to buy after market wheels from True Details. 

The Colour scheme is Curtis Dark Earth, Dark Green and Light Grey. If I were to make this aircraft again I would use a darker blue for the tail. This colour was used on the Mustangs but I feel now that the Kittyhawks used a darker blue. The Decals were from where ever I could find them and the serials were printed on Testors decal film using a computer. 

Phil Mead

Click on images below to see larger images

      

Photos and text © by Phil Mead