Arma Hobby Curtiss Tomahawk Mk IIB – 1/72 Scale
Recreate a fighter from the North African air campaign of 1941 with the Arma Hobby 1/72 Curtiss Tomahawk Mk IIB. This plastic aircraft kit includes three historically documented marking options representing RAF and Royal Australian Air Force aircraft, including two from the famous shark-mouthed No. 112 Squadron.
The Tomahawk Mk IIB was the British version of the Curtiss Hawk 81A-3, corresponding to the American P-40C. Powered by the Allison V-1710 engine, it carried two .50-calibre fuselage machine guns and four .303-calibre Browning machine guns in the wings. Improved self-sealing fuel tanks distinguished it from earlier Tomahawk variants.
The Tomahawk in North Africa
Tomahawks began arriving in the Middle East in increasing numbers during 1941, equipping RAF and Commonwealth squadrons fighting German and Italian aircraft over the Western Desert.
No. 3 Squadron RAAF began converting from Hurricanes in May 1941, followed by No. 112 Squadron RAF in June. Although less suited to high-altitude interception, the Tomahawk proved effective at the low and medium altitudes encountered during the desert campaign.
No. 112 Squadron introduced the distinctive shark-mouth artwork around the aircraft’s radiator intake. These markings later inspired the American Volunteer Group’s Flying Tigers in China and became closely associated with the P-40 family.
Three Historical Marking Options
Cartograf decals provide three aircraft from the 1941 North African campaign:
- AN337 / GA-F – Neville Duke: No. 112 Squadron RAF, Egypt, December 1941. Flown by P/O Neville Frederick Duke during Operation Crusader. Features desert camouflage, large white GA-F codes and the squadron’s shark-mouth artwork.
- AN355 / R “Snifter”: No. 3 Squadron RAAF, Sidi Heneish, September-October 1941. Flown by pilots including Alan C. Rawlinson and Lindsay E. Knowles. Finished in Dark Earth and Dark Green with a large white R and individual cowling markings.
- AK367 / C “Pontiac”: No. 112 Squadron RAF, Sidi Heneish, September-October 1941. Flown by F/O Douglas G. H. McDonald. Features the earlier shark-mouth design, Temperate Land Scheme camouflage and a Native American head emblem on the fuselage.
Kit Contents
This Arma Hobby 1/72 aircraft kit includes:
- Plastic aircraft parts on one grey sprue.
- Clear parts and Arma Jig on one sprue.
- Masks for the canopy and wheels.
- Cartograf decals with three marking options.
- Download code for 3D-printable exhaust stacks, machine-gun barrels, gunsights and a pilot’s seat with British harness.
Camouflage and Finishing Details
The marking options reflect the different finishes carried by Tomahawks during the desert campaign. Aircraft initially arrived in the Temperate Land Scheme, while others received desert camouflage modifications suited to North African conditions.
The included masks assist with painting the canopy and wheels, while the Cartograf decals reproduce the individual aircraft codes, shark mouths and personal markings. The downloadable accessories offer additional detailing options for the finished 1/72 Tomahawk Mk IIB.
