P-40 Warhawk “Miss Frances III” U.S. 80th Fighter Group, CBI, May 1944
Nagaghali Air Base, Assam, India – The Forgotten Front Comes Alive in Scale
Historical Background: The 80th Fighter Group – “Burma Banshees”
The 80th Fighter Group of the United States Army Air Forces was one of the lesser-known but strategically vital air combat units of World War II. Operating in the China-Burma-India (CBI) Theater from late 1943 until the end of the war, the group consisted of the 88th, 89th, and 90th Fighter Squadrons, with the 459th later added—the only US fighter squadron to be created and disbanded entirely within India.
Flying mostly P-40 Warhawks, including aircraft like “Miss Frances III”, the “Burma Banshees” carried out ground attack missions, escort operations, and interception over one of the most unforgiving regions of the war. Their sorties often took them over the Himalayan “Hump” to support General Stilwell’s Chinese forces and Merrill’s Marauders behind Japanese lines.
About P-40N “Miss Frances III”
Squadron: 90th Fighter Squadron
Base: Nagaghali AB, Assam, India
Date: May 1944
Aircraft: Curtiss P-40N-1 Warhawk
Markings: Shark mouth nose art with personalized nose name
Role: Ground attack, interception, and escort
Scale Build – Hasegawa 1/48 P-40N
Difficulty Level: Perfect for intermediate to advanced modelers
Brand: Hasegawa
Modifications & Enhancements:
Replaced the kit seat with a resin aftermarket part
Added Eduard seatbelts
Scratch-built the internal fuselage structure with plastic sheet
Added radio shelves, a generator, and fire extinguisher
Opened the radio hatch door, used copper wiring for cockpit detailing
Painting & Weathering
Step 1: Preparation
Riveting done with a 0.75mm Rivet Tool
Primed the entire surface with ALCLAD ALC101 Aluminum
Step 2: China-Burma-India Theater Colors
| Area | Color | FS Code | Brand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper Surfaces | Olive Drab + White Mix | FS 34087 (variant) | Humbrol 155 |
| Tail Fin Top | Dark Green | – | Humbrol 86 |
| Panel Highlights | Khaki Green | FS 34102 | Model Master |
| Undersides | Dark Gray | FS 36173 | Model Master |
| Engines/Exhaust | Soot + Sun Burn Effects | H343 + FS 33531 | Hobby Color + MM |
Salt Technique:
Applied salt masking before second Olive Drab layer
Simulated sun bleaching and wear
Used Raw Umber, White, and Brown oil paints for highlighting panel variations
Weathering Details:
Engine and gun stains done withH343 (Soot)
Tissue paper and Micro Metal Foil Adhesive recreated worn fabric on wheel covers
Scratches made with old scraper blade to reveal aluminum chipping
Fuel streaks simulated with Raw Umber oil
Exhaust streaks applied with toothpick using vertical drag technique
Women Airforce Service Pilot (WASP) Curtiss P-40 Warhawk
Decals & Finishing:
Used Sky Models Decals 48-047
Sealed with Mr. Hobby H-20 Flat Clear matte varnish