Curtiss P-40E Warhawk
P-40E / RAF Kittyhawk interpretation
Colours used
in this example.
Build the main surfaces in light layers. Keep the quiet background softer than the aircraft.
Suggested pencil shades, not exact historical paint matches. Test colours on your paper before building richer layers.
Light layered directional strokes
Gentle layering
Controlled infill
Reserved reflections
Light strokes and open paper
Look a little closer.
Explore the details from different angles.
Aircraft reference 1
Dayton P-40E display: side view of camouflage and shark-mouth artwork. Display copy resized without cropping.
Photo: USAF · Source · Public domainAircraft reference 2
Smithsonian Kittyhawk IA: front view of the restored Lope's Hope scheme. Display copy resized without cropping.
Photo: Acroterion · Source · CC BY-SA 4.0Aircraft reference 3
P-40E 41-5534 at NACA Langley on 20 May 1942: side profile and period markings. Display copy resized without cropping.
Photo: NACA Langley Research Center · Source · Public domainAircraft reference 4
Restored P-40E at Antwerp in 2024: starboard profile and red spinner. Display copy resized without cropping.
Photo: Ad Meskens You are free to use this picture for any purpose as long as you credit its author, Ad Meskens . Example: © Ad Meskens / Wikimedia Commons If you use this work outside of the Wikimedia projects, a message or a copy is very much appreciated. This image is not in the public domain. A statement such as "From Wikimedia Commons" or similar is not by itself sufficient. If you do not provide clear attribution to the author you do not comply with the terms of the file's license and you may not use this file. If you are unable or unwilling to provide attribution you should contact Ad Meskens to negotiate a different license. · Source · CC BY-SA 4.0Aircraft reference 5
Restored P-40E at Antwerp in 2024: opposite-side ground view. Display copy resized without cropping.
Photo: Ad Meskens You are free to use this picture for any purpose as long as you credit its author, Ad Meskens . Example: © Ad Meskens / Wikimedia Commons If you use this work outside of the Wikimedia projects, a message or a copy is very much appreciated. This image is not in the public domain. A statement such as "From Wikimedia Commons" or similar is not by itself sufficient. If you do not provide clear attribution to the author you do not comply with the terms of the file's license and you may not use this file. If you are unable or unwilling to provide attribution you should contact Ad Meskens to negotiate a different license. · Source · CC BY-SA 4.0Aircraft reference 6
Restored P-40E banking: underside and wing national markings. Display copy resized without cropping.
Photo: Ad Meskens You are free to use this picture for any purpose as long as you credit its author, Ad Meskens . Example: © Ad Meskens / Wikimedia Commons If you use this work outside of the Wikimedia projects, a message or a copy is very much appreciated. This image is not in the public domain. A statement such as "From Wikimedia Commons" or similar is not by itself sufficient. If you do not provide clear attribution to the author you do not comply with the terms of the file's license and you may not use this file. If you are unable or unwilling to provide attribution you should contact Ad Meskens to negotiate a different license. · Source · CC BY-SA 4.0Historical finishes and markings
The NACA photograph records P-40E 41-5534 at Langley on 20 May 1942 with a U.S. star and rudder serial. Museum aircraft offer colour references but represent other histories. Smithsonian's Canadian Kittyhawk was repainted in 1975 to represent the 75th Fighter Squadron of the 23rd Fighter Group.
Markings: NACA aircraft carries 15534 on the tail and the contemporary U.S. star; Shark mouths are individual reference schemes rather than a universal P-40E marking Olive and brown-green camouflage with a light underside is visible on the museum examples The NACA monochrome image does not establish an exact paint shade
In the photographs
The NACA photograph records P-40E 41-5534 at Langley on 20 May 1942 with a U.S. star and rudder serial. Museum aircraft offer colour references but represent other histories. Smithsonian's Canadian Kittyhawk was repainted in 1975 to represent the 75th Fighter Squadron of the 23rd Fighter Group.
In the coloured example
This pencil interpretation uses upper surfaces: Dark Earth brown, Middle Stone; lower surfaces: Azure Blue; existing recognition markings: Red, Dark blue; canopy: Pale grey-blue; scenery: Sand, Ochre, Pale blue. It is a creative colouring example based on the book drawing. It does not reproduce a verified individual aircraft or an exact paint standard.
Make the details count.
Follow the large nose intake when placing its deep shadow.
Keep any shark-mouth teeth simple so they remain legible at colouring-page scale.
Follow your curiosity.
Model history and further reading.