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"Flying Tigers" P-40 Movie Prop Restoration

The Flying Tigers won America's admiration because they were the men John Wayne pretended to be. They were outnumbered, and their supplies were inadequate. Their weapons were soon worn out, but the won anyway, and America loved them for it.

Known as the "American Volunteer Group" they were military trained, and mounted one of the country's first ventures into covert operations against a foreign nation. Hollywood idolized the Flying Tigers because they were credited for having shot down nearly three-hundred planes at a time when conventional U.S. Military forces appeared to be losing on every front.

A little while ago now, I was Commissioned to restore the original 1/8th scale P-40 movie prop. This project has led me through the annals of history, where I have learned a lot more about the Curtiss P-40, and the sacrifices of brave men and women to preserve freedom. Not just freedom for Americans, but freedom for the Allies.

Restorers are faced with one of two choices early on, and that is to "cover" or "remove" age-old surface and paint. Covering was my first choice in order to try and save time, stay on schedule, and work within the budget. However, after much effort, re-covering and sanding, it became obvious that flakes of old paint buried deep below were still coming off, and cracks were not covering well enough.of life against Axis forces during World War II.

So I made the decision to remove, and proceeded to sand off 64 years of lead paint. First I sanded as much as I could, and then used Jasco Premium Paint Remover several times over all of the top surfaces, and then sanded the last remaining layers. This revealed a very nice old wood-grain (probably poplar). The wood was nicely aged, but somewhat soft - so I realized that disintegration is occurring in the strength and fiber of the old wood. Therefore I researched wood hardeners on the web, and learned that people were well pleased with Miniwax Wood Hardener.

While this succeeded in "petrifying" the wood, and providing a stronger base for the top-coat, it also added to workload and expense because it really clogs sandpaper. Even so, the thought that the aging process has been arrested makes me feel more confident in the overall restoration process. On top of all of this, I always made sure to preserve all of the original artist/model builder's work wherever possible, including most all of the original wing fillets (also made from wood).

Oftentimes, building models, games, and web art seems so trivial when compared to the real sacrifices made by our fellow countrymen. While mere words can never replace the gift they have all given us, many of our beloved Seniors don't get to share with us what they went through. Without these foundation stones that our forefather's have set - a house divided awaits next generation America. I'm glad that this little restoration job came up, but more importantly I'm glad that the journey to learn all I can about the AVG, and the P-40 presents a glimpse into what people went through.

This didn't affect just soldiers and fighting men, but mothers, daughters, fathers and sons. We all share in the cost of Freedom. Until the Allied forces are no longer the leader of the free world, it is our responsibility to protect other countries and people whom want that same God-given blood-earned liberty. It is important that we use the tools of technology to help preserve their story, rather than re-write it.

While it is today, talk to your Grandfather or Grandmother, Aunt or Uncle, and ask them to tell you what they went though. Preserve their story so that we will not forget.

Browse through more pictures of the restoration on the P-40 workbench.