Pacific Star
P-40E Warhawk

Eduard Limited Edition Dual Combo

1/48 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

P-40 fanciers have been kept busy over the last three decades.

Both Mauve and AMT released a series of 1/48 scale Warhawks and Kittyhawks in the mid 1990s. All these models were accurate in outline, featured finely recessed panel lines but detail was fundamental. The Mauve kit was superior in terms of surface textures; while AMT offered a better cockpit. Mauve released the P-40M and P-40N, plus their RAF equivalents (Kittyhawk III and IV); with the P-40F, K and N coming from AMT.

Revell updated their 1970s vintage 1/48 scale P-40E around the same time with a new cockpit, undercarriage and detail parts. Although it is an older model with raised panel lines, I still like the way this kit captures the rugged character of the real aircraft.

New player AMtech entered the market at the turn of the century to offer a number of previously unreleased variants based on the earlier AMT kits. These were the P-40E, plus short and long tailed versions of the P-40F and P-40L. The Merlin powered variants were enhanced with a solid resin replacement nose. This new nose was much more accurate than AMT's forward fuselage.

Eduard also got into the act, repackaging Mauve's P-40M and N kits with new markings plus resin and photo-etched detail parts.

These 1/48 scale P-40s were quite acceptable in their day and may be further improved with many after-market parts being available, but none of them are up to the standards of today's best kits.

In 2005, Hasegawa blew away the competition with their 1/48 scale P-40E, followed by a P-40K, P-40K-10, P-40M and P-40N variants as well as Commonwealth Kittyhawk Mk.I, Mk.III and Mk.IV. Hasegawa's new 1/48 scale Warhawks were the best P-40 kits of their day, even taking into account the gratuitous use of inserts. Surface features were well thought out, the cockpit is one of Hasegawa's best efforts, and attention to detail is very good.

Twenty years later, Eduard released their all-new P-40E in their Royal Class Warhawk. This was a magnificent kit with the only real downside being its genuine limited edition status.

Well, if you missed out on the Royal Class Warhawk, you will be delighted to see the release of this Pacific Star boxing of Eduard's 1/48 scale P-40E.

The differences between Eduard's 1/48 scale Royal Class P-40E debut release and this second Pacific Star boxing is the absence of resin parts, the fridge magnet and frameable artwork. Of course we have the new markings offered in the Pacfic Star package. .

Otherwise, the grey and clear plastic parts are the same as the debut release, which is great news because they are some of Eduard's nicest plastic ever.

Parts for two full kits are supplied in the big box.

Eduard’s 1/48 scale Pacific Star Limited Edition Dual Combo P-40E Warhawk comprises a whopping 426 parts in grey plastic; 66 parts in clear; two colour photo-etched frets; die-cut self-adhesive masks and decals for ten marking options.

This parts count is not really anywhere near as high as might sound. Owing to the large number of options and parts for other versions, 162 grey parts and two clear parts are marked not for use. You can subtract another dozen or so for alternate parts.

Your spares box will love this one!

The actual number of grey plastic parts required per model will be around 92 - very manageable.

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Thumbnail panels:

The parts breakdown is quite conventional. Unlike the Hasegawa kit, there are no inserts in the fuselage or the wings.

Surface detail is beautifully done with crisply recessed panel lines and selected rows of rivets. There are also a number of rows of subtly raised rivets where appropriate. The undercarriage retraction bays are a beautiful example of this symphony of surface textures.

The fabric control surfaces feature restrained and convincing raised tape texture.

Construction gets underway in the fabulously detailed cockpit. First up is the choice of the two resin pilot's seats, or the kit-supplied plastic seats with photo-etched harness straps. The choice is yours.

Photo-etched parts are also used for the instrument panel with raised bezels, quadrants and various handles and switch panels.

Alternative plastic starboard sidewall, four styles of gun sights and coaming are offered. I love the attention to detail here in the cockpit. A good example is the choice between two different actuator positions for the cooling regulator flaps. Part D7 is used for open flaps and D13 is used for closed flaps. I really like the quadrants and handles too.

The sidewall panels are separate parts.

Optional open and closed cooling flaps are supplied in photo-etched metal or plastic. Either will look good.

Two styles of propeller blades are supplied. The instructions are clear as to which ones are used for what marking options..

The main landing gear bay is beautifully detailed and the shape is correct.

The kit provides parts for wheel wells with or without canvas covers. I am particularly impressed with the authentic textures and stitching for the covered option.

Ailerons and landing flaps are separate parts held in place with tabs. The flaps are moulded shut.

The rudder is a separate part.

The machine gun panels on the wing leading edge are recessed into the wing so no bulky separate inserts are needed.

Many of these options are not required for the Warhawk markings supplied in this kit, but if you are impatient to build a later version, you'll find almost anything you could hope for right here on the sprues.

All transparencies are clear, thin and free from distortion. The windscreen is moulded with a small section of the upper fuselage, once again ensuring a clean join and painting demarcation.

The side windows, a traditionally tricky area, are each moulded with a small section of fuselage that corresponds with panel lines. This will help avoid unwanted glue marks that are a hallmark of the P-40.

Both sprues offer options for open and closed canopies. I am pleased that Eduard has moulded the open framed top canopy panel as one piece with the side. This will help with alignment and strength.

Gun sights, lights and lenses are also moulded as clear parts.

The instructions are called out over 28 pages. Considering this model has twelve marking options and lots of alternative parts, Eduard does an excellent job of keeping the modeller on track with regard to what parts are used for each of the schemes. The assembly diagrams help too. They are uncluttered and clearly supported by text notes.

Markings

Markings are supplied for ten aircraft.

A great selection of different colours and markings are offered. Here are the specific subjects:

• P-40E-1, 41-25164, Capt. Ben S. Irvin, 9th FS, 49th FG, Darwin, Australia, 1942 

• P-40E, Lt. Robert Harry Vaught, 9th FS, 49th FG, Darwin, Australia, 1942 

• P-40E, Col. Bruce K. Holloway, CO of 23rd FG, Kweilin, China, 1942

• P-40E, Lt. Col. John S. Chennault, 11th FS, 343rd FG, Umnak Island, Aleutian Islands, autumn 1942

• 41-36396, P-40E-1, Lt. Robert E. Smith, 16th FS, 23rd FG, China, autumn 1942

• P-40E, Capt. George E. Kiser, 8th FS, 49th FG, Philippine Islands, 1942 

• P-40E, Capt. William J. Hennon, 7th FS, 49th FG, Java, 1942 

• P-40E, A29-78, No. 76 Squadron RAAF, Gurney Airfield, New Guinea, August 1942 

• P-40E, A29-63, No. 82 Squadron RAAF, Bankstown, Australia, 1943 

• P-40E-1, NZ 3095, No. 15 Sqn RNZAF, New Zealand, 1944

Decals are printed perfectly by Eduard.

Two sets of stencil decals are supplied on separate decal sheets.

Eduard has delivered another beautiful kit with their new Pacific Star 1/48 scale Limited Dual Combo P-40E.

Cockpit and wheel well detail match the superb standards of their best ever work.

Surface textures and the sheer number of optional parts are also class leading.

This really is a Gold Standard Warhawk and a very versatile kit. Well done Eduard and roll on with the series!

Thanks to Eduard for the sample

Text and Images Copyright © 2025 by Brett Green
Page Created 2 June, 2025
Last updated 3 June, 2025

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