Flying Tiger P-40E in 1/48 scale by Igor Kochan

Another exquisite RCoAF model by Igor Kochan, this time a splendid shark-mouthed P-40E in American Volunteer Group (Flying Tigers) markings. Over to Igor then:

'I was very pleased that my RoCAF aircraft models, the P-47 and P-51, received positive feedback and interest. So, I am submitting my latest completed model.

'This is the brand-new Curtiss P-40E kit from Eduard. The model is, in one word, excellent - accurate in shape and highly detailed. I only added the landing gear brake lines and drilled out the exhausts. The markings came from a DK Decals (Czech Republic) sheet. Everything else necessary was included in the Royal Class box. For camouflage, I used Mr. Paint colors, AK Interactive markers and weathering pencils.

'The photographs were taken by my modelling buddy and mentor Miloslav Hrabaň.

'About the original aircraft.

'I decided to build one of the 50 P-40E aircraft delivered to the American Volunteer Group (AVG) between April and June 1942 as replacements for the P-40B/Cs destroyed in combat in China. The Curtis P-40E with the fuselage number 106 was piloted by John E. Petach, who was originally from Perth Amboy, New Jersey. He was the son of Slovak immigrants, graduated college with a degree in chemistry and became a US Navy pilot. Later he joined the AVG and was considered one of its esteemed pilots. On 23 January 1942, among other achievements, he shot down three Japanese bombers.

'After the AVG was disbanded on July 4, 1942, John Petach was already packed and ready to leave when he was asked to stay and train pilots for the newly formed 23rd Fighter Group. This unit, commanded by Robert L. Scott, adopted aerial combat tactics developed by Claire Chennault.

'On 10 July he volunteered for a bombing attack on Japanese gunboats. Scott himself told him he did not have to go since he was assigned as a flight instructor, but Petach insisted and flew the mission. It was his last sortie. According to another pilot in the formation, John’s bomb hit one of the gunboats, but at the same moment, his P-40 exploded, probably hit by return fire from the ships. 

'Shortly before this, John E. Petach had married one of the AVG nurses, Emma Jane 'Red' Foster. He may have achieved an ace status which still remains unconfirmed.'

With special thanks to Igor for sharing images of his beautifully crafted and presented model, to Miloslav for taking the photographs and to Marian Holly for facilitating the sharing. The pilot has a special meaning for Igor and Marian as both were born and raised in Slovakia. 

Image credit: All model photos © 2025 Igor Kochan and Miloslav Hrabaň