Curtiss P-36A

Arma Hobby, 1/72 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

The Curtiss P-36A represented a key transitional step in the evolution of American fighter design during the late 1930s. Entering service with the US Army Air Corps in 1938, the P-36 was among the first all-metal monoplane fighters to equip frontline units, replacing the biplanes that had dominated American pursuit squadrons since the First World War. Powered by a Pratt & Whitney R-1830 radial engine, the P-36A offered improved speed, climb, and manoeuvrability compared to its predecessors, although its armament of a single .30 and .50 calibre machine gun was already edging toward obsolescence.

While the type saw only limited combat service with the United States – most famously during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, where several P-36As claimed aerial victories – it was more widely employed overseas. Export versions, built as the Hawk 75, saw extensive use with the French Armée de l’Air during 1940, later serving with the Royal Air Force, Finland, China, and other operators. Although quickly outclassed by newer fighters like the Curtiss P-40, the P-36A remains significant as the aircraft that bridged the gap between the old and new eras of US fighter aviation.

Arma Hobby has added a new family to their ever-growing range, 1/72 scale Curtiss Hawk.

The debut offering in April of this year was the Curtiss Hawk H-75 A-1/A-2. This variant broe the brunt of battle over France in the first year of the war, plus French North Africa up until the Armistice.

Arma has now added the Curtiss P-36A to their lineup. This variant is best known for its action over Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941.

Arma Hobby's 1/72 scale Curtiss P-36A comprises 75 parts in light grey plastic; seven parts in clear plastic, yellow Kabuki die-cut self-adhesive paper masks, decals for three marking options and a link to downloadable 3d detail parts.

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Thumbnail panels:

The grey plastic parts are delivered on just two sprues. Moulding quality is excellent. The plastic parts otherwise boast a lovely smooth texture.

Being a long-run kit, the parts are moulded with all the alignment aids that you would expect including pins, holes, slots and tabs.

Moulding quality is excellent.

Some of the sprue attachments are moulded to the surfaces of the kits so take care when cutting these off and cleaning them up.

Surface textures are just gorgeous. Recessed panel lines, raised venbts, circular fastener heads and other structural details are very fine.

The fuselage is supplied as left and right halves. The engine is simply broken down into three parts but detail is not compromised.

The cockpit floor is moulded as the centre section of the wings.

Some cockpit sidewall detail is moulded directly to the inside of the fuselage halves.

Additional separate parts include, throttle quadrant; instrument panel with a moulded pair of rudder pedals, control column and more.

The instrument panel features raised detail that will respond well to careful dry brushing. Rudder pedals are moulded to the bottom of the panel frame.

As an option, an overlay decal is supplied for the instrument panels and switch panel. Harness strap decals are included as well.

There are some really nice plastic details in the cockpit too.

The wing parts are full span lower and upper halves. They are suitably thin at the trailing edges. Aileron hinge lines are appropriately heavier than the general panel line detailing.

The main wheel wells are nicely detailed. The sidewalls start life as a flat plastic strip scored in three places. The strip is then folded into a box representing the four sides of the wheel wells. I would suggest that you apply a small amount of liquid cement to the folding recesses, but be very careful when folding the parts,. A separate domed ceiling is also supplied for each side.

The wheels are subtly bulged and flattened with a fine radial tread.

Elevators and rudder are moulded as separate parts and may be posed to taste.

The tail wheel and strut are moulded as a single part. Detail looks fine.

A number of additional parts and unused options are included on the sprues.

Clear parts are impressively transparent and free from distortion.

Instructions are supplied as an eight page stapled A5-sized booklet.

The kit is packed into a end-opening cardboard box that is a bit flimsy.

Downloadable 3d Printed Parts

The instructions have a link toa QR code that will allow the free download of a 3D file with accessories for self-printing.

The 3D parts include:

• Pilot’s seat with seatbelts

• Fuselage bulkhead

• Instrument panel

• Exhaust pipes

Marking Options

The kit decal sheet offers markings for three options:

They are:

• Curtiss P-36A, pilot: 2/Lt. Phillip Rasmussen, 46th Pursuit Squadron, 15th Pursuit Group, Wheeler Field, Hawaii, 7 December 1941

• Curtiss P-36A, Headquarters Squadron, 16th |Pursuit Group, Rio Hato Aerodrome, Panama 1941

• Curtiss P-36A, VII Air Force Gunnery School, Hickam Field, Hawaii 1943

Stencil markings are printed on the same single sheet, as are propeller logos and wing walk markings.

Decals are printed perfectly by Techmod.

They are luxuriously glossy, colours are well saturated and everything is in perfect register.

Arma Hobby's 1/72 scale Curtiss P-36A is a little gem of a kit with its crisp surface textures, high moulding quality, thoughtful parts breakdown, useful options and high level of detail.

This is a another excellent offering from Arma Hobby.

Thanks to Arma Hobby for the sample

Review Text and Images Copyright © 2025 by Brett Green
Page Created 16 September, 2025
Last updated 16 September, 2025

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