P-40 Flying Tiger Restore or Keep as Survivor

Welcome to the Forum , The P40 is in pretty good shape , Go ahead and clean the engine . Heck mount it on a piece of wood and run it that will bring back some memories , of coarse after you get the stuff to do this you will be hooked to go fly LOL I would start with something cheaper !

Thank you....yeah just what I need, another hobby to spend money on! I am seriously thinking about getting it running though. I was able to free the piston last night, and I already ordered new gaskets.

In terms of Decals do most folks opt to keep original or swap out for new ones? Does it affect value that much?

It actually should be flown. But my experience with these heavy plastic models is that crash damage can be severe.

Newt wrote:In terms of Decals do most folks opt to keep original or swap out for new ones?  Does it affect value that much?

Makes it look better of coarse but the value is in how broken it is and the BOX is alot of it . Some of us print our own from home on water slide paper and spray with conditioner to preserve/fuel proof. https://www.google.com/search?q=p40+warhawk+decals&sxsrf=AOaemvI8ULEeRcoNtnIHPUi54kF2r9KyYw:1639741209089&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiQ9KmC4Or0AhWdmWoFHYAcCSsQ_AUoAnoECAEQBA&biw=1493&bih=775&dpr=1.13

That’s a nice example of an early P-40! I have a newer one, with the engine installed upright, in pretty good shape and have been thinking about whether to restore it, customize it or just leave it as it is.

The good thing with these models is that they were built by thousands, so whatever you do, you are not going to ”ruin” anything unique or extremely valuable. The models that still remain in their original box are the most valuable, but a model without the box and with some damage or even signs of handling are valued a lot less.

It’s yours, so you can do whatever you want with it I am considering painting the canopy framework on mine, and maybe the wheel hubs too. I already fitted a red spinner (instead of yellow) as the original was missing. With a model like yours, I would be very tempted to replicate the paint scheme of the RAF P-40’s that fought in the Mediterranian. Darker brown camo pattern over the existing tan, maybe some sky blue on the underside, some extra detailing, RAF insignia with the shark-mouth... On the other hand the model is quite charming as it is, with the patina and all.

Let us know what you decide to do with it

I like the way Kari thinks....shelf queen or back yard fun....fix er up and make look like the war bird it is

I am partial to Flying Tigers China paint scheme

The First American Volunteer Group (AVG) of the Republic of China Air Force, nicknamed the Flying Tigers, was formed to help oppose the Japanese invasion of China. Operating in 1941–1942, it was composed of pilots from the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC), Navy (USN), and Marine Corps (USMC), and was commanded by Claire Lee Chennault. Their Curtis P-40B Warhawk aircraft, marked with Chinese colors, flew under American control.

The P-40 is one of the better of the scale models from Cox (power-off glide-wise, which is how I judge them).

It and the Stuka have excellent glides compared to my poor Mustang, which can never be dived hard enough to give airspeed for a non-wing-removing impact at a touch down.

My P-40 is experiencing the wingroot trauma you'd expect over time (especially with grass landing/tumbles), and has lost most of the "cuff" that holds the wing to the fuse, but it's hanging in there.

Still, if they can be landed on smooth dirt or (gasp!) pavement, they have enough wing area for a decent flair.

Thanks for all the replies!  I think I will keep it as is.  I put new gaskets in and reassembled the motor and will likely try to start it at some point.  Is there a special glow plug battery clip on these since the motor is inverted?

Welcome to the forum, Newt!

I think you will find the decals will get ruined even as a static test stand for the engine. If you have storage space and desire to fly, my recommendation is to make this a shelf model and build a profile P-40 trainer. That way you can (re?)discover CL flying without the fear of smashing this model into pieces. Once you outgrow the trainer, you may fly this one with a better chance of success. I won't suggest which path you take...even collectible liquors are only collectible in a bottle until consumed, and yet they are best enjoyed only at consumption-once!

There are several profile models that fit the "trainer" application, and will fly much better than your plastic model. However, if you are hard-set on flying a P-40 Cox-engine powered model, please check out DPC Models (no financial interest). He may still be producing "short-run" (not many at a time) "short-kits" (long balsa may need to be purchased locally):
http://dpcmodels.homestead.com/SRKS.html

I have threads here regarding Scientific Red Tiger (kit #SCI-149) and the Scientific P-40 Warhawk (kit #SCI-192). The second one will out-fly the first one and your plastic model hand's down! I believe the first one will fly better than your plastic one only because it will be lighter. Neither will be a significant investment except for time and paint. Use your engine in one of these first. Should Mr. Cowell not be producing kit any more, I have the patterns for the 192-kit. They can be emailed.

 
The Cox glowplug clip is good for your particular application because you don't need to fumble around disconnecting it once the engine is running. Just grab hold of the wires and pull away from the prop, even while on the ground. A real "snap-click" clip can found, but I don't think I'd use it in your inverted-engine application:
https://www.coxengineforum.com/t15412-solvedmost-efficent-glowhead-clip-for-norvel-engine

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Oh yeah:
https://youtu.be/osxQfIvjS3E

Bob,

It sure we be good to see your Sterling P-40 as it is now side-by-side with the old picture.
I saw one "in the box" on eBay the other day, but it has gone up past where I'll grab it!

Some good advice above for sure!  My plan is to put it on the shelf, I just want to start it to hear it run at some point.

Thanks everyone for the input and good advice.

Going to keep it as is no new decals.....

Wowzer...what a looker you have there, Newt!

Bob, you make me miss my Mossie. My phone pictures app just reminded me I totalled it two years ago yesterday. This HAS been a fast two years!