Curtiss P-36A: What’s in the Box? (Kit 70081)

The second release of Arma Hobby’s beautiful Curtiss model in 1/72 scale is the American P-36A version. It was the first production variant of this aircraft, which began entering service with U.S. fighter units in April 1938. It remained in service until the outbreak of the Pacific War, taking a short but glorious part in the defense of Pearl Harbor in December 1941. Soon afterwards, the last combat P-36s moved to schools and training units, being replaced on the line mainly by P-40s and Airacobras.

The first thing that catches the eye is the beautiful box art, in which the outstanding artist Piotr Forkasiewicz depicted a silver fighter flown by 2/Lt Philip Rasmussen just after he shot down a Japanese aircraft over Pearl Harbor. Let’s now look inside the model’s box and see what it contains, and which elements are specific to the American versions!

Box contents

The set includes:

plastic sprues (2 grey and 1 clear)
decals for three USA paint options from 1941–1943
masks for painting the canopy and wheels
instruction manual
a 3D print file with details

Plastic parts

The plastic parts are the already well-known and tested three high-quality Curtiss sprues: two grey and one clear. As always, Arma Hobby provides sharp trailing edges, very fine recessed panel lines, and carefully rendered, varied screws, fasteners, hinges, and panels—an optimally balanced quality and amount of beautiful detail for 1/72 scale that allows enjoyable assembly of a very accurate, lifelike model, without excessive complications.

The standard sprues include optional parts for the American versions: an instrument panel with the visible rear section of the .50 cal heavy machine gun, exposed exhaust stacks, shortened landing gear doors, and a few other small bits. The only extra work the modeler will need to do is to fill the wing machine guns, which the P-36A variant did not have.

First sprue

This is a large grey sprue containing the main fuselage and wing components, plus many small details. The even and delicate recessed panel lines are noteworthy. This sprue also includes the shortened, “American” landing gear doors.

Second sprue

This one contains many small parts with fine details. Here you’ll find the special American instrument panel, the “bare” exhaust stacks, the American Pitot tube, and landing gear legs adapted to the shortened doors. However, if you change your mind or plan from the start to build the model in a different scheme, this sprue is complete and also includes parts for French or Finnish versions.

Clear sprue

We packed the clear frame in an extra sleeve to prevent its smooth surfaces from getting scratched during transport.

The glazing parts are thin, crystal clear, and glossy.

Decals and masks

The decals and masks for this model were, as usual, produced to the highest standard by the Polish company Techmod. They allow you to build three different and very interesting American Curtiss P-36A schemes.

High-quality masks made from yellow Japanese kabuki paper, precisely cut to the model parts, will make painting the canopy and wheels easier.

The decal sheet, protected with white tissue paper, includes both large elements such as USAAC stars and bars, as well as individual markings and the finest stencils and cockpit details printed with precision.