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Clear-Vax set 6: USAAF Fighters, World War II (1/72 scale)

1. North American P-51D. Suggested kit: Hasegawa P-51D.

Note on the drawing how the aerial wire passes through the canopy. We suggest that the instrument panel coaming be cut off and widened in order to fit a correct-width scratchbuilt instrument panel. Suggested references: P-51 Mustang in Color (Squadron/Signal); Squadron/Signal In Action No.45; Camouflage and Markings No.16 (Ducimus); Aerodata International No.3.
2. North American P-51D "Dallas" canopy. Suggested kit: See above.
3. Republic P-47 Thunderbolt "Razorback" canopy. Suggested kit: Hasegawa P-47D.

The drawing shows the canopy open. As the spine of the kit is too narrow in plan, we suggest fitting a wedge of 0.5 mm plasticard, starting at the headrest. Suggested references: Squadron/Signal In Action No.67; Camouflage and Markings No.15 (Ducimus); Aerodata International No.6.
4. Republic P-47D Thunderbolt "bubble" canopy. Suggested kit: Hasegawa P47D-25.

The drawing shows the canopy in fully open position. Also shown is the rearview mirror sometimes fitted.
5. North American P-51B/C Mustang. Suggested kit: Monogram P-51B.

In order to neatly fit the Clear-Vax rear windows, we suggest you remove the entire section at the dotted line shown. The drawing shows the hinged sections of the canopy open.
5a. North American P-51B "Malcolm" hood.

This item also fits the Monogram kit in similar fashion to the standard version except that the rear of the sliding part overlaps the fuselage top. Delete the aerial mast and replace it with a stretched sprue whip aerial positioned further back along the fuselage.
6. Curtiss P-40E. Suggested kit: Hasgawa P-40E.

Note on the drawing the offset position of both the gunsight ring and the rearview mirror. Use the kit rear windows.
7. Curtiss P-36 Hawk/P-40B Tomahawk. Suggested kits: Monogram P-36, Minicraft P-40B or Monogram P-36 and DB resin conversion P-40 nosepiece.

The drawing shows the P-36 cockpit area. Use the kit rear windows. If you use the Minicraft P-40B, cut the kit fuselage away using the dotted line as a guide. Replace it with the entire Clear-Vax canopy and forward decking. This operation is not necessary for the Monogram P-36.
8. Curtiss P-40N Warhawk. Suggested kit: Hasegawa P-40N.

The pilot's sliding section is designed to overlap the rear piece. Note the extra framelines marked X on the drawing. These lines were on the port side only. As not all P-40N aircraft included them, they were omitted from the Clear-Vax item. Suggested references: Squadron/Signal In Action No.26; P-40 Kittyhawk (MAP plans).
9 & 10. Lockheed P-38J/P-38F. Suggested kit: Hasegawa P-38F/J.

The drawing (P-38J) shows the top hatch open and left side window wound down. Suggested references: Squadron/Signal In Action No.25; Camouflage and Markings No.18 (Ducimus).
11. Bell P-39 Airacobra. Suggested kits: Heller P-39Q.

Separate doors are supplied for display in the open position. Carefully cut the doors from the kit fuselage, noting that the front line of the starboard door is incorrectly positioned 0.5 mm too far rearwards in relation to the canopy. Suggested reference: Squadron/Signal In Action No.43.
12. Douglas P-70. Suggested kits: Revell P-70.

The pilot's canopy includes the full-length hinged upper section which may be displayed in the open position. To alter the fuselage for the open pilot's hatch, cut the corresponding area away 1 mm above the horizontal panel line marked on the kit fuselage. Most P-70s had the extra framelines marked X on the drawing. Also shown is the rear position with gunner's sliding section stowed. Suggested reference: Squadron/Signal In Action No.56.

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