Mauve's 1/48 scale
Curtiss P-40N Warhawk

by Brett Green

Curtiss P-40N Warhawk 75 Squadron RAAF

Here is my Mauve 1/48 scale Curtiss P-40N Warhawk.

This was an unopened original 1994 first edition in dark green plastic that was released just before the tragic Kobe Great Hanshin-Awaji earthquake of 1995. The earthquake killed more than 6,000, made more than 45,000 people homeless and destroyed many businesses including the fledgling model conpany Mauve.

Eduard and Academy have since re-boxed this kit a number of times since 2000.

I originally planned to use the kit decals with the flamboyant parrot's head on both side of the engine cowling but the kit decals had other ideas. They broke up irreparably while soaking in water. I guess 30 years was just too long to keep them waiting.

The model was already painted, glossed and ready for decals so I looked for a suitable replacement from my collection. I eventually settled on Red Roo Decals' Item No. RRD4854, "75 Squadron RAAF Late WWII P-40N".

Mauve's 1994 1/48 scale P-40N has been clearly surpassed first by Hasegawa and now by Eduard. Mauve's cockpit is very basic, some parts are overscale and chunky, others lack detail (check out the plain inner wheel hub), while yet other parts are missing altogether (e.g. the canopy rails and small aerials). The propeller blades are noticeably too long and some assemblies are fiddly.

On the other hand the recessed panel lines are crisp and consistent, fit is good and the kit is mostly accurate. I think it is still worth building if you have one stashed away.

Enhancements to my Mauve P-40N include:

• Eduard ZOOM Item No. FE1234 - P-40N.

• True Details Item No. 48451 – P-40E-N Warhawk Cockpit Detail Set for Mauve kits. I love these old True Details resin cockpits. They were cheap, easy to install and a massive improvement over the kit parts.

• Evergreen 261 .060" Channel; Evergreen 219 .025" Rod

• Eduard MASK Item No. EX817 – P-40N

• Scratch built canopy rails, whip aerials and machine gun barrels

Paints are almost exclusively SMS acrylic lacquers. I have fallen in love their Flat Clear varnish too!

I'll be writing this one up for a forthcoming book from Doolittle Media.

Model, Images and Text Copyright © 2025 by Brett Green
Page Created 11 March, 2025
Last Updated 11 March, 2025

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