This release from Eduard is part of a limited edition series of kits that, in addition to all the fine extras we’ve come to expect from Eduard, also includes a fantastic 3D metal printed plate of the same box art graphic. In the case of this fine P-40N release, the plastic is very familiar to many of us. The plastic in this kit comes directly from the Hasegawa Corporation. Additional features of the kit include the following items:

• Resin main wheels
• Resin tail wheel
• Resin Exhaust stacks
• Pre-coloured cockpit photoetch sheet
• Additional photoetch sheet
• Cartograph decals for five aircraft
• Paint masks

There really isn’t much to say about the overall build of this fine model. A build of the Hasegawa P-40N plastic can be found here: P-40N Review. Personally, I found the fit and finish to be outstanding with only a couple of tiny build issues.

As with most aircraft kits, the cockpit is where you begin construction. It is necessary to choose which scheme at the beginning as it will impact which details you use in the cockpit. Most notably the seat and instrument panels reflect changes between the early and late “P-40N” model schemes. As always, the color photoetch parts provided in the kit are simply spectacular and really compliment the Hasegawa plastic. Personally, if I did this build again, I would leave the plastic map case alone. Specifically, because the case is almost completely hidden by the pilot's seat.

After completing the cockpit, we move on to the fuselage next. Again, like the cockpit, the choice of aircraft scheme impacts what parts are used! In this case, the difference between the early and late N models changes the turtle deck area just aft of the cockpit section. Additionally, since this plastic is used in the other Hasegawa P-40 offerings, there are the short tail section parts included in the kit that is NOT needed in the construction of the P-40N. Unlike the 1/48 offering from Hasegawa, the tail sections are added to the fuselage halves prior to joining the halves. I did find it necessary to apply just a little putty to the tail section at this joint and unfortunately there is a bit of a sink mark running around the fuselage just ahead of the same tail joint. It is an easy to fix but requires a bit of re-scribing and rivet recreation.

The wing and gear bay assembly comes next and went off nearly without a hitch. I had a very light struggle getting the gun blast tube parts to fit correctly into the wing but again, a little bit of filler and sanding saved the day. You will want to dry fit these parts carefully and know where they belong prior to gluing. The base kit doesn’t allow for dropping the flaps. Eduard does sell a photoetch set that would allow you to do so. (Flap set 32260) Following the wing assembly, the tail components are attached just before the wing is joined to the fuselage. At this point, you are pretty much in the home stretch. This kit includes the photoetch parts for the wing bomb racks but since the scheme I was building didn’t have them I skipped building the racks. A centerline bomb is included in the kit, but wing bombs can be obtained via Eduard here: (500lb Bombs)

It was now time to mask the clear parts and paint the aircraft. The Eduard masks worked well and Masking took just a few short minutes. Be aware, for both the early and late canopies configuration, you again have a choice to make. The sliding canopy section has different closed and open part. I wanted to show off the beautiful cockpit so opted to place the “closed” canopy in place to mask the cockpit during the painting process. I then painted the open canopy part, off of the model at the same time as the rest of the kit.

Following painting, I clear coated the model and applied the outstanding Cartograf decals. I found they did NOT react as well as hoped to Micro-Sol but just fine to Mr. Softer. I finished with a clear coat, some weathering, and a final matt coat.

I found the build to be very enjoyable as I am sure you will too. You can’t go wrong with Hasegawa plastic and Eduard extras, not to mention the Eduard 3D art. Don’t wait too long to make up your mind as Eduard is only releasing 1000 kits (now 999) of the P-40N EduART edition. I want to thank Eduard for allowing me to build the P-40N EduART kit and to the IPMS USA review corps for allowing me the honor of reviewing this fine product.