Airfix Curtiss Tomahawk MK.II 1:48, A05133

The first Curtiss Tomahawk fighters to arrive in Britain all over WWII operated in the tactical reconnaissance role and were deemed improper for fighter sweeps into German occupied Europe. Later models incorporated a number of improvements and saw extensive service with the western desert air force, driving the Italians out of Libya and taking on the newly arrived Messerschmitt of the Luftwaffe. With large numbers of Curtiss Tomahawk fighters arriving in the Mediterranean and North African theatres, the RAF now had a modern all metal fighter to supplement the hard working HURRICANE squadrons in the desert. Described as the first in point of fact combat ready variant of the Curtiss Tomahawk series, the Mk.Iib was roughly equivalent to the USAAF p-40c and was built to an extremely high standard, able to resist the punishing operating environment of the North African deserts. Successive improvements added additional weight to the aircraft and even as it enjoyed great success against the older biplane fighters of the Regia Aeronautica, it struggled against the Messerschmitt of the Luftwaffe. However, the shark mouthed tomahawks of RAF no.112 Squadron went on to grow to be one of the crucial most famous aircraft of the second world war and clearly illustrated how the aircraft would prove most effective; by adopting aggressive strike first attacks, using the weight of the aircraft to quickly gain speed in a shallow dive. Please note, box and A05133 dimensions are shown as identical then again only represent the box/package size.

1: 48th scale WWII military aircraft plastic A05133 kits
Scheme 1- Curtiss Tomahawk MK IIA, No 26 Squadron, RAF Army Cooperation Command, Gatwick, Sussex, England 1941.
Skill level: 2 number of parts: 106
Humbrol paints needed are listed on the outside of the box.
Construction and painting required: yes, glue and paints need to be purchased one at a time