Curtiss Tomahawk IIa - AK882 KH-R 403Sqn RCAF - 1941
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The Curtiss P-40 was sold via the Lend Lease program in great numbers to Great Britain and the Commonwealth throughout WWII. While it's high altitude performance could not compare with that of the Merlin Engined Spitfires and Hurricanes, it found a niche in the low level "Army Cooperation" role, that being the term for infantry air support and ground attack missions. Most importantly, they were available in quantity at a time when the RAF was suffering severe shortages in modern fighters.
The Royal Canadian Air Force's 403rd Squadron was equipped with the Tomahawk IIa variant of the P-40 when they deployed to England in 1941. They used their aircraft primarily for high speed low level raids across the English Channel, hunting for German targets of opportunity in northern France. They flew their Tomahawks in this fashion until sufficient numbers of Spitfires came available later in the year. Their Spitfires would eventually be replaced again by another American fighter: the NAA Mustang after the end of the war.
This model is yet another 1/72 scale Airfix P-40, this time their Tomahawk IIb version. It was backdated to a IIa by changing the wing armament and re-scribing some panels. The markings came from an aftermarket set and depict Tomahawk IIa serial AH882 of RCAF 403Sqn. Paints are mostly Vallejo Acrylics. I decide to build it wheels up and in flight and made a base with a postcard sized picture frame, a cut down portion of a blurred background form Costal Kits, and a piece of stainless rod.
