If you go for birds of the second World War, boy have I got a plan for you! It's the Curtiss P-40, one of the best, most complete plans I have had the pleasure of reviewing. The plan covers the "D, E, and F through N" models, and has all the modifications for each one. This is one fabulous plan! Drawn and marketed by Jerry Bates of 102 Glenwood Street, Mobile, AL 36606. The plan contains seven, that's right, SEVEN sheets. Not only is everything shown, but also the location of it is on the plan. Wing Span is 82 inches, wing area 1,084 inches. Power recommended is the Super Tigre S2000 series. There are many ready-made parts available, including canopy, cowling, display spinner, three-bladed prop, air intake scoop, belly pan, main gear strut covers, exhaust stacks, and wing root fillets or fairings. AII the above can be ordered for $160.00 as a group, if you order the plan set at $40.00. Airlpanes built from this plan have been campaigned this year by two master competition fiyers. Jerry's letter says he is quite proud of this design, and well he should be! I think it's a masterpiece! I wish I had the wall space to display this plan permanently, 'cause you never get tired of looking at it. This airplane definitely deserves one of the new PCM radios. Even Jerry's letter was so complete, I'm going to ask the editor to reprint his spec sheet, right here:

This is a 1/5.5 scale model with a wing span of 82" and a wing area of 1,105 sq. in. The design is based on the Super Tigre S2000 series of engines, but .90 glo 2 cycle thru 2 cu. in. gas engines may be used. Conventional balsa and ply construction is used and the model is all balsa sheeted. This technique was chosen, instead of offering a fiberglass fuselage, to insure a light weight, strong and vibration absorbing airframe. This method of construction has proven to be easier to modify or repair and keeps the builders' investment to a minimum.

The plans consist of seven sheets of full size drawings inked on mylar. Sheet one (36" x 72") is the Fuselage Plan showing top and side views and includes the stabilizer plan. Sheet two (36" x 54") is the Wing Plan and shows both wing panels in plan along with a cross section and leading edge view at the retracts. Sheet three (24" x 36") is the Fuselage Sections and Details showing all formers and details of parts mating with them. Sheet four (24" x 36") is the Winq Ribs and Details showing all ribs and details occurring at these locations along with the tail wheel retract system. Sheet five (24" x 36") contains Miscellaneous Details including panel layout, etc. Sheet six (24" x 36") is Miscellaneous Details showing the wing fairing details and canopy details for producing D 8 E models as well as F through N models. Sheet seven (24" x 36") is the Fuselage Extension showing details for producing the long tail F thru N models.

These plans include full size templates for each individual part. Also included is the retract installation information along with radio installation and control hook ups. Sources for commercially available parts are indicated as well. The designer has worked with several hobby industry accessory manufacturers to insure their products can be included in this airframe. One of the more interesting items is the main wheels. Williams Bros., Inc. has agreed to produce scale wheels custom designed to suit this set of plans. Information for ordering them can be found on the plans.

The plans are true scale and sources for documentation are indicated on them. Included with the plans is a construction manual with step-by-step assembly instructions. The plans are mailed rolled in a mailing/storage tube and are priced at $40.00 including first class postage.

I'm not going into the construction detail that I usually do. Only briefly, I will say that the first sheet contains the fuselage fin and rudder, and stab and elevator plan, all built up of spruce and ply and balsa, and balsa sheeted except for the control surfaces which are fabric covered.

The second sheet contains both wing panels which are mostly balsa and sheeted with balsa, except for the ailerons which are fabric covered. Flaps are also shown, as is the rotating retractable landing gear mounting angle. Sheet four is wing ribs and retractable tail wheel setup. Sheet five shows wing spar doublers, more fuse bulkheads, tailwheel mounting, and wing saddle doubler. Sheet six shows canopy fairings, wing fairing and window cutouts for canopy. Sheet seven shows the fuselage extension for the "F through N" models.

If the Curtiss P-40 is your bag, then you have got to have this plan! What would be neat would be the P-40 landing gear drawing that H. Carrow drew, and we reviewed a couple of issues ago.