Hobby Master 1:48 Air Power Series HA9207
Curtiss P-40B Warhawk Diecast Model
AVG Flying Tigers 3rd PS Hell's Angels, White 77, Robert Smith, Burma, November 1941 | |
| 1:48 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| Curtiss P-40B Warhawk | | 8.25" | | 9.25" |
PLEASE NOTE: This item is not currently in stock and has a planned arrival date of February 2026.- Orders may not ship until complete. If you wish to receive in-stock items prior to pre-ordered items, you must place separate orders.
- Arrival dates are subject to change. Consider them to be estimates as manufacturers frequently revise them.
- Credit Cards are not billed until time of shipment. PayPal payment (not recommended) is required at time of order.
The American Volunteer Group (AVG), famously known as the Flying Tigers, was a unit of the Republic of China Air Force, recruited from U.S. aviators to fight against Japan before America entered World War II. Flying shark-mouthed P-40 Warhawks, they achieved remarkable success in 1941 - 1942, destroying far more enemy aircraft than they lost. Led by Claire Chennault, their bravery and skill boosted Chinese morale and became legendary. The unit disbanded in mid-1942, with many members joining the U.S. Army Air Forces. Robert Tharp (R.T.) Smith (February 23, 1918 - August 21, 1995) received his primary flight training at the Allan Hancock College of Aeronautics at Santa Maria, California and completed basic training Randolph Field, Texas. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in June 1940, and returned to Randolph Field where his first assignment was as a basic flight instructor. Smith resigned his commission in July 1941 in order to join Colonel Claire Lee Chennault's American Volunteer Group (AVG) as a "soldier of fortune" with the Nationalist Chinese Air Force. Promoted to flight leader in the Third Pursuit Squadron, "Hell's Angels", Smith was credited with shooting down a total of 8.9 Japanese planes, and was twice decorated by the Chinese government. Designed to meet a USAAC requirement for a pursuit aircraft, the P-40 Warhawk was first flown on October 14th, 1938. This aircraft was tough, virtually trouble-free and saw continual improvements to arms, armor and engines. The P-40 served in numerous combat areas; often outclassed by its adversaries in speed, maneuverability and rate of climb, it earned a reputation for extreme ruggedness. Its strong construction, heavy firepower, and ability to dive enabled it to compete with enemy fighters, and it was a formidable ground-attack aircraft. P-40s were also flown by the famed Flying Tigers against the Japanese in China. © Copyright 2003-2025 The Flying Mule, Inc. The Hobby Master "1:48 Air Power Series" range presents detailed, ready-made diecast models of military aircraft. Hobby Master "1:48 Air Power Series" diecast airplanes feature: - Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
- Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
- Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
- Opening canopies, revealing detailed cockpit interiors.
- Interchangeable extended/retracted landing gear.
- Presentation stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
- Authentic detachable ordnance loads complete with placards.
- Accurately detailed underside with concealed screwheads.
© Copyright 2003-2025 The Flying Mule, Inc. |
