Having flown a gamut of  aircraft in the Abyssinian campaign, including Hawker Furies, Gladiators, Curtiss Hawks and a select few early Mk 1 Hurricanes, the SAAF on entering the desert war was in dire need of some modern equipment with which it could tackle the mighty Luftwaffe on more even terms.

No 2 squadron “Flying Cheetahs”  was the first SAAF Squadron to receive P-40 Tomahawks in July 1941 and was soon joined by 4 Sqn in November 1941. The acquisition of Tomahawks by 5 squadron occurred during March of 1942. Of interest, is that  No 40 tactical reconnaissance squadron used a few P-40 Tomahawks to escort their ageing recce equipped Mk.1 Hurricanes.

Initially the Tomahawks were delivered in US equivalents of  the RAF dark earth, dark green  and sky scheme. This was replaced by the standard desert camouflage scheme of azure blue, mid stone and dark earth.

The aircraft we have chosen to portray appears to be in the midst of such an change, as it already features dark earth and mid stone upper surface pattern, but has still retained the Sky lower surfaces. At this stage of service, several 4 squadron aircraft displayed an attractive  winged Springbok squadron badge on the cowling with the motto “We’ve Had You”.  Two further  squadron badges appear to have been used by  4 squadron at this time. One was decorated with an eagle crest and the Afrikaans motto “Nader die Pale Toe”, a phrase from rugby football which translates as “Closer to the Goal Posts”, while the other depicted an eagle destroying a German aircraft and the Afrikaans motto “ Vir Vryheid en Reg”,  translated as  “For Freedom and Justice”.

The Tomahawk acquitted itself well in the hands of SAAF pilots and they accounted for a number of enemy aircaft. Indeed in an encounter with 1/JG27, then under the guidance of “The Star of Africa” Hans Joachim Marseille, one 4 Squadron managed crash land close to base despite a very severe mauling. The fact that this badly damaged plane still made it back to base impressed the SAAF personnel to such an extent that photos of the aircraft were sent to the manufacturer in the US congratulating them on the sturdiness of their aircraft. During 1942 the Tomahawks were phased out to be replaced by the more powerful Kittyhawk Mk1 (P-40E).

The kit chosen chosen was the Academy / Hobbycraft P-40B, due to its current availability. The Monogram version has been reported to be more accurate, but is currently hard to find locally. My overally impression of this kit was good, and even though it may not be 100% accurate everywhere, it looks the part when completed. The engraved panels are very fine and the plastic is of a very good quality.