HOBBYCRAFT 1/48 USAAF PURSUITS KIT TABLE

Latest update: 5 November 2005

Hi, I’m Tony Hodun, and this is a table of 1/48 Hobbycraft USAAF Pursuit aircraft kit listings I’ve developed to aid you as a modeler or collector (or both) in finding the kit you want to build the version you want, or to fill the gaps in your collection. Hobbycraft filled a number of major gaps in the 1/48 scale model lineup with their P-26s, P-35s, and P-36/Hawk 75s.  These are the kits that put them on the radar screen for a lot of modelers due to their improved engineering as well as the subjects they chose. And Hobbycraft later stuck their necks out again to produce the first injection molded 1/48 P-59 Airacomets for us modelers. 

I’ve chosen to go into the decal versions included with the Hobbycraft boxed kits as they are generally very usable and there are few aftermarket decals available for these airframes (except the P-40/Tomahawks, which are well covered). I’ve also included the Academy boxings made with the same tooling, note that Academy decals are not as usable.

Note: Capital letters (A) are found on parts trees.  Asterisk (A*) or lower case letter (for example, Aab) are my way of showing modified trees or trees with optional parts, these symbols are not found on the actual parts trees.

HOBBYCRAFT 1/48 BOEING P-26 PEASHOOTERS

Hobbycraft’s Boeing P-26 kits are a nicely thought out family that allows the modeler to build production P-26As and P-26Cs with the taller rollover pylon straight out of the box. You will need to rig the flying and landing wires on wings and landing gear with materials of your own choosing.  All kits provide a fuselage with the taller integral rollover pylon, which was on all production P-26s as built except the earliest USAAC P-26As (and all of these except early write-offs were eventually retrofitted).  All kits also have wing flaps scribed on the lower wing.  These can be filled in if you want to do an early P-26A; all exports had flaps and all USAAC P-26s were eventually retrofitted with them.  There are optional parts depending on which boxing you get.  Note that building the prototypes, demonstrators, and early USAAC low-pylon equipped P-26As will take research and modifications.  Hobbycraft has done an excellent job providing markings covering all users of Peashooters, as of this writing there is only one aftermarket decal set that I am aware of (Aeromaster with 6 prewar USAAC versions) for these kits.

P-26 Parts Trees:

Note: The A tree always includes 2 parts, fuselage halves, plus one or more of three optional groups of parts: a – 4 parts, enclosed tailwheel, pitot tube, gun camera; b – 17 parts, small bombs, racks, extended tailwheel, pitot tube, gun camera; c – 2 parts, open wheel spats.

HOBBYCRAFT 1/48 BOEING P-26 KITS

The latest boxing, 1457, is notable because it includes all optional parts plus the only available decals for USAAF P-26s just prior to and during WW II, and also has markings for Guatemalan Peashooters as well as two Philippine versions.  Academy 2179 P-26A/C is made with Hobbycraft tooling and also comes with all the optional parts.

NEED INFO: None

HOBBYCRAFT 1/48 SEVERSKY P-35s

Hobbycraft’s Seversky P-35 kits are a pretty complete family that allows the modeler to build almost every type of P-35 straight out of the box.  Hobbycraft has done an excellent job providing markings covering almost every user of the P-35, as there are few aftermarket decal sets available.

P-35 Parts Trees (small letters for optional parts are my designations, they are not found on the parts trees):

Note: The A tree always includes 2 parts, the shorter P-35 fuselage halves, plus two or more of four optional groups of parts: a – 1 part, fuselage side access door; b – 6 parts, P-35 cowl & air scoops, cowl guns, tailwheel bay; c – 3 parts, S-2 racer headrest, instrument panel, tailwheel bay; d – 6 parts, S-2 racer main landing gear fairings.  The C tree always includes 35 parts, cockpit, propeller, engine, landing gear & gear doors, other details, plus one or more of two optional groups of parts: a – 3 parts, P-35A cowl and air scoops; b – 3 parts, P-35A headrest and instrument panels (the lower case letters for optional parts are my designations, are not found on the trees). 

HOBBYCRAFT 1/48 SEVERSKY P-35 KITS

1552 builds a P-35.  1551, 1553, and Academy 2180 are identical and build the P-35A.  1554 is partially based on the P-35 but has necessary parts to build the S-2 racer; it also includes decals for the AP-7 and similar aircraft sold to Ecuador, though I cannot comment on accuracy of the kit for these latter versions.

NEED INFO: None

HOBBYCRAFT 1/48 CURTISS P-36/HAWK 75s

Hobbycraft’s Curtiss P-36 and Hawk 75 kits are a fairly complete family that allows the modeler to build almost every type of Hawk 75 out of the box.  Hobbycraft has done an excellent job providing markings covering almost every user of the Hawk 75/P-36, as there are few aftermarket decal sets available, and those available are mainly for USAAF, French, or Finnish aircraft.  The Wright Cyclone cowl has shape problems; the only accurate alternative may be limited run resin kits.

P-36/Hawk 75 Parts Trees (lower case letters for optional parts are my designations, they are not found on the trees):

Note:  The P-36/Hawk 75 parts trees have optional gated parts as noted here.

The A tree always includes 4 parts, fuselage halves & cockpit side rails, plus one or more of three optional groups of parts: a – 9 parts,  P&W Twin Wasp engine, cowling, cowling MG shrouds, and air intakes; b –  1 part, P&W Twin Wasp firewall mount:  c – 7 parts, Wright Cyclone engine, cowling and air intakes.

The B tree always includes 13 parts, lower wing, landing gear struts, small gear doors, plus one or more of three optional groups of parts: a – 2 parts, large main gear doors; b – 2 parts, P-36C under wing shell collectors.

The C tree always includes 35 parts, upper wings, propeller, wheels, cockpit details, plus two or more of three optional groups of parts: a – 2 parts, football DF antenna; b – 1 part, fixed tail wheel insert; c – 1 part, retracting tail wheel insert.

The same tree C with all optional parts is also used in the P-40B/C kits.

HOBBYCRAFT 1/48 CURTISS P-36/HAWK 75 KITS

1546, 1555, 1560, and Academy 2181 are identical and build a P&W Twin Wasp engined P-36/Hawk 75.  1556 builds the Wright Cyclone engined Mohawk/Hawk 75.  1557 builds the spatted fixed gear Hawk 75M, 75N, or 75O.  The latest Hobbycraft boxing, 1456, is noteworthy because it includes parts to build either a Pratt & Whitney or Wright engined Hawk 75, plus it provides the only 1/48 decals available for WW II era Peruvian, Norwegian, and SAAF Hawk 75s.  

NEED INFO: None.

HOBBYCRAFT 1/48 CURTISS P-40 WARHAWKS/TOMAHAWKS

These kits are a natural follow-on to the P-36 that use some common parts (the C tree).  P-40 Parts Trees are as follows:

HOBBYCRAFT 1/48 CURTISS P-40 KITS

This family of kits includes identical plastic parts, only the decals differ.  All the kits share the upper wing tree used in the P-36/Hawk 75 kits, which means you will have leftover parts for your spares box.

NEED INFO: None.

HOBBYCRAFT 1/48 BELL P-59 AIRACOMETS

Once again, Hobbycraft takes the risk and gives us an injection molded kit of a rare and important aircraft type, with some really interesting decal options!

P-59 Parts Trees:

HOBBYCRAFT 1/48 BELL P-59 AIRACOMET KITS

The YP-59 comes with early rounded rudder, & wingtips and fabric covered control surfaces.  The P-59A has the later squared off tail & wingtips and metal covered control surfaces.

NEED INFO: None

The End