Cox P-40 Warhawk - Tomahawk, Kittyhawk, Thimble drome etc. etc.

I would like to see that Midwest P-40 built George.  The .15 Sportsman being my first larger than .049 Cox engine should be a good fit for it.  

This Cox example must have been ran sloppy rich, Lot's of gooey castor on my fingers that gets transferred everywhere I touch.  Over the years it dripped onto the contents of the box.  Spare wheel boxes that the PO bought as replacements etc.  Came with a Cox battery and an envelope with the remote stooge clip and kick-out dacron.  Unusual to see the clip still intact.

Coming apart.  Sticky!!!!  Three self-tappers on the fuselage holding the two halfs together and careful working back and forth to loosen the castor.  It took a soldering iron the remove the mount screws.  Thanks to Rene for the tip.







Notice the offset.






I looked for the "P-40" stamp on this "Special Bee" engine but did not find it.  Only a #1 marked stepped cylinder.  My other "Flying Tiger" engine has the P-40 stamp.
Engine is locked up and will require a complete cleaning.



I write and picture this stuff in the vision of some 60/70/80/90 YO in the future doing an internet search for "Cox P-40" and finding it then contacting the forum with the standard intro here - "I remember flying one of these back in the 70's -etc. etc"  

Looking good thus far, Bob, given the forensics. Regardless of markings, does the cylinder have dual bypasses? Then it has the desired higher performance to lug that heavy model with authority, like an early Black Widow. However, it could also be possible the previous owner replaced the cylinder, but hopefully no changes rendered.

GallopingGhostler wrote:Looking good thus far, Bob, given the forensics. Regardless of markings, does the cylinder have dual bypasses? Then it has the desired higher performance to lug that heavy model with authority, like an early Black Widow. However, it could also be possible the previous owner replaced the cylinder, but hopefully no changes rendered.

Gooey mess George, but it does have the dual bypasses.

With dual cylinder bypass ports, you scored big, Bob, congrats!

It a Super Bee Bob >> Product Engine .049 (0.8 cm³)

Manufactured in 1975 (#350-1, ECJ #39f)

This Super Bee engine was used in the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk and came with a cylinder having 2 transfer ports. It still used the classical cast metal back plate and not the later delrin plate. From <> https://www.mh-aerotools.de/airfoils/cox_frameset.htm Nice mess for you to clean up

Thanks guys.............

SUPER NASTY......varnish everywhere, cooked on.  Fuel tank left with half a tank.  But - surprise - a "W" element glow head!



Seldom do I use a brass bore brush to clean the cylinder of varnish, but this one was extreme. Careful application, one pass with MMO cleaner/lube.

Nice find Bob, I wish I could restore it or a similar one....too few, or rather,  approx zero such finds are likely  in my part of the world.

The P40 was stamped on thin wall cylinders only AFAIK, not on stepped wall cylinders...I have one sitting on a Frankenstein RR engine.

I devarnish my cylinders, instead of the metal devarnisher  brush, with cotton earbuds drenched in kitchen grease remover spray fluid sold for cleaning e.g. microwave or gas ovens...very efficient and leaves the cylinder unscratched/intact. No need to remove the cylinder either..only fix the piston top to sit flush with the top of the exhaust port so that the fluid should not drip into the crankcase, wipe cylinder wall with the bud drenched in degreaser fluid  until last bud remains white, crank the engine till piston hits TDC, remove all dirt from piston top, then wipe cylinder wall again with alcohol or nail polisher, oil it, and you are good to go..done that multiple times in my COX cylinders ranging 010...09

Do not apply on aluminum surface, may cause discoloration of the crankcase..only steel surfaces to be touched.

Possibly wear a rubber glove, the fluid will dilute human fat in fingers, you will feel your fingers slippery if no gloves are used...flushes off easily in water, with no skin inflammation or similar if flushed off within minutes..

Awesom Bob , the p40 is my all time favorite ww2 airplane and my favorite cox airplane, I think I have 6 in my collection . ( yes , I’m a hoarder)

Thanks Andras -

Cotton earbuds drenched in kitchen grease remover - Known as  Easy-Off oven cleaner over here Andras. I use it to remove paint on plastic models.  Works well and doesn't hurt the plastic.

Welcome to the club Joe.............



Not proud of it.  "Wall of shame" I call it - where good flyable models go to die.  No more room on the wall, the latest P-40 lays on the floor.  Some day my son will turn them all back into cash and take a first class airline seat over to Europe and do a tour.  Not a first for him.  He's been there courtsey of the US Navy.  

I had my enjoyment discovering the thing.  Interesting assembly, Cox made some improvements to the procedure.  

From a gooey mess to Mr. Clean.





Packed away, but I'm keeping the "Perfect" wheels.  I'm always looking for them in this .049 size.  BTW, the Cox spring starter did not make the cut.  I hate the things, but I did include it in the box.

Notice, the box arts camoflage matches the model.  Which came first.............

GallopingGhostler wrote:Bob, those P-40's look very well preserved for something that is 50 to 60 years old. Hard to believe that over a half century has passed by.

Still got an unbuilt Midwest 33-in. wingspan profile C/L P-40 Warhawk once my living situation settles down. Was targeting my Cox .15 Sportsman for it. It will be probably as loud as the Testor's .19 McCoy Red Head I had previously targeted for it. But where there are no noise restrictions should be a pleasant sport flyer.

I have six P40 .You can find many on E-Bay

latole wrote:I have six P40 .You can find many on E-Bay

Inasmuch as these particular Cox RTF C/L aircraft were things of beauty, I have purposely limited myself to focus instead on balsa kits of the same, which I have unbuilt.

Although nice, these RTF now command a rather hefty price. Thus, I will admire them and the stories in CEF, but life being as short as it is, enjoy their crafting in balsa and other materials. I started out in stick and tissue rubber powered aircraft in the mid 1960's, and thus have a love for building and finishing.

I still have that childlike wonder when I see something that I crafted take to the air, whether a glider, rubber power, or "gas".

latole wrote:
I have six P40 .You can find many on E-Bay


Yes, one of the more popular modeled airplanes. A reliable airplane quickly overcome by progress.

Amen George, while I enjoy the plastic models both in research and in repairing there is nothing like balsa. My Sterling P-40 has been rebuilt at least three times.



Get out one of those unbuilts and build it. I'm feeling kinda lonesome around here building stuff...................... Summer doldrums maybe. Missing Rusty's projects.

GallopingGhostler wrote:I still have that childlike wonder when I see something that I crafted take to the air, whether a glider, rubber power, or "gas".

Me too George….. I like them in all flavors…. The building part is fun too

rsv1cox wrote:I'm feeling kinda lonesome around here building stuff...................... Summer doldrums maybe.

I’ve got one going Bob…. My wife is liking the throw glider thing at the ballpark so I’m building her a Sweepette……. Ken planted the seed for that one in my glider thread  

Ken planted the seed for that one in my glider thread


Ken, AKA Johnny Appleseed.  

You, roddie and several others always have something going on.  Flying, building, engine projects.  I'm active only because the weather is keeping me inside.  Record setting heat and drought here in WV.  My normally green lawn is brown.  On a drought map of the USA there are two red (severe) dots.  One right over Capon Bridge, the other death Valley.  Wish I was kidding.