P-40E Warhawk (oz13591)

About this Plan

P-40E Warhawk. Top Flite Gold series. Radio control scale model WWII fighter. Wingspan 64 in, wing area 697 sq in. For .60 to .90 engines. Scale is 1/7.

Discontined kit from Top Flite. See: http://web.archive.org/web/20170717030749/http://www.top-flite.com/airplanes/topa0120.html

Supplement instructions file is 56 pages complete, very detailed, includes many build pics.

Quote: "Introduction: Thank you for purchasing the Top Flite® GOLD EDITION™ P-40E Warhawk. The Top Flite P-40E is an excellent sport scale model that is just as 'at home' sport flying as it is in competition. Its exact scale outline allows you to detail it out and take it into serious competition. Its modern construction and refined aerodynamics, incorporating features such as built-in washout and computer designed airfoils that progressively change from root to tip, give you a plane that will build straighter and fly better than warbirds of the past.

The Gold Edition Warhawk is approximately 1/7th scale. The exact scale ratio is 1:6.9. The trim scheme used on the model pictured on the box duplicates that used by the legendary Flying Tigers. Three large sheets of decals are included to help you duplicate this scheme. You can cover your P-40 with olive drab, tan, and grey MonoKote but, to get truly authentic results, you must paint the model. Helpful information on painting can be found in the Finishing Section.

The Top Flite Warhawk makes an excellent scale competition aircraft. The front end of this model has been specially engineered to allow you to completely hide most engines in the recommended range. The large cowling will even completely hide an OS 1.20 Surpass. The cowling is designed to use the scale cooling air entrance and exit to cool your model engine. Engines such as the OS .61 SF (2c) and OS 1.20 Surpass (4c) have been flown in the Warhawk and required no additional cooling. A special 2- cycle muffler with headers to fit several of the recommended engines has been specifically designed for and tested in the P-40. This muffler provides good sound reduction while fitting entirely inside the cowling.

Engine and Mount Selection: The recommended engine size range is as follows:

.60 to .91 cu in 2-cycle
.90 to .120 cu in 4-cycle

The Warhawk will fly well with any of the recommended engines. The 4-Cycle engines and most .90 2-Cycle engines will turn a larger prop at lower RPM’s. This is often desirable for scale realism. Many .60 2-Cycle engines produce about as much horsepower as the popular .90 2-Cycle engines and will fly the Warhawk fine. If you use a .60 2-Cycle, a Schnuerle ported engine is preferred. The prototype P-40 with all of the options, including flaps, retracts, drop tank, paint etc., has been flown with an OS .61 SF. This combination works fine and gives very realistic scale power. Most modelers are accustomed to a larger power reserve and would probably prefer more power if they load up their P-40 with all of the extras.

Even though the P-40 is designed to house the engine inverted, a modeler desiring a more utilitarian setup can mount his engine with the cylinder head sticking out the right side of the model. The same engine centerline should be used.

Retracts: The choice whether or not to use fixed gear or retracts is up to you. Retracts offer good looks and great flight realism with the added expense and complication. The model is designed to use the Robart #615 (ROBQ1815) rotating retracts, as these offer the easiest installation and most reliable operation. More information on retracts is found in the 'Tips for Competition Minded Modelers' section and in the construction sequence. For item numbers, see 'Other Items Required', page 7.

Wheel Selection: The true scale tire size is 4-5/8 in. The recommended range of tire sizes is 3-1/4 to 4 in. The 4 in wheels fit comfortably into the wing when retracted. If you use fixed gear, you may choose to use the smaller tires to reduce drag in the air. Robart 4 inch (ROBQ1537) main wheels are very close to scale appearance for a P-40. A 1-1/4 in tail wheel is scale and recommended.

Flaps: This model is designed to incorporate split flaps that are very scale. They are not difficult to assemble, but they do require good craftsmanship if they are to fit well. They add a good deal to the model’s flight characteristics and scale appeal while causing no bad effects. No trim correction of any kind is needed when they are used with the recommended throws. The flaps add drag and lift to the model on landing approaches, which gives the plane a very steady, locked-in feel. The flaps require one channel, a Y-harness, and two standard or mini servos. They are highly recommended for those who wish to install them. More information on the use of the flaps may be found in the Flying Section.

Drop Tank: P-40s in combat used drop tanks most of the time. Top Flite has made a correctly sized, vacuum-formed drop tank available for your warbird. The tank comes with a release mechanism and is easy to assemble and install..."

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Update 14/3/2022: Added kit review from R/C Scale International, July/August 1999, thanks to RFJ.

Quote: "Kit Review: Martin Roper evaluates Top Flite's Warhawk.

Having always fancied a flying scale Curtiss P-40 but never having quite got round to building one, I was pleased to get the opportunity to build the Gold Edition P-40E Warhawk. Although this is not a new kit, it wasn't going to stop me from giving it the 'full monty'. Top Flite are well known for producing aircraft kits that are well fabricated from good quality materials and the Gold Edition Warhawk is no exception. The P-40 features fully built-up construction with scale outlines and has a wingspan of 64 in. It is intended for 4-7 channel radio with recommended engines sizes .60-.90 2 strokes .90-1.20 4 strokes.

First impressions: Upon opening the box there is plenty to feast your eyes on and the standard of the two large drawings immediately attract, so too does the very comprehensive instruction book. You are advised to read the book before starting as it guides you through warnings, part identification, and decisions to be made regarding the options you wish to include such as whether to fit retracts, drop tank, flaps etc. as all these will affect the construction sequence.

The materials contained within the box were quite superb and the quantities generous, particularly the 1/16 balsa sheet provided for wing skinning. This would have been good enough for the building of indoor models! The standard of the die-cutting is also stunning and the components almost fall from the sheet. What is more they fit exactly! All this helps to make construction an enjoyable experience, which is why we build 'em isn't it?

Also included is a large bag of hardware containing just about everything you're going to need including screws, control horns, devises, engine mount, wire control pushrods and tubes, decals and superb vacuum formed canopy, ABS cowlings and fairings. The only part I wasn't happy with were the dummy exhausts which I felt left a lot to be desired and these were to be one of my choices for improvement.

Get it together: The instruction book takes you through the construction stage by stage with a picture for almost each step, it even tells you what type of glue to use and where! Building begins with the fin, followed by the tailplane and the ribs, for these parts have a jig tab attached so that they can be pinned to the building board over their locations on the plan. With the leading and trailing edges applied the unit is removed from the board for skinning on one side, then the jig tabs removed from the ribs for the skinning of the second side..."

Update 25/4/2024: Added kit review from Model Builder November 1975, thanks to RFJ.

Supplementary file notes

Instructions. 56 pages, complete.
Reviews.

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