I've picked up a used CMP, P-40 ARF and intend on doing something, different. I've always wanted to model the Curtiss A-75 Hawk or the P-36 variant.
Since the CMP ARF features a fiberglass fuselage, this will necessitate slicing the forward fuselage off just forward of where the sharkmouth is seen. Installing a new firewall fiberglassed to the inside
of the cutoff and installing radial cowling mount tabs shouldn't prove too difficult.

I considered doing away with the 90 degree Jet Hanger retracts and fixing the gear to make the export version as sold to India and Thailand in the late 30's. This would simplify things and reduce the space needed for pneumatic plumbing. However, at this point I'm still undecided. If I were to go this route, I would have to fabricate wheel pants and spats.

Eliminating so much fuselage length would naturally change the weight distribution, probably making the plane tail heavy. A radial cowling would enable amply space for additional ballast or choosing a heavier powerplant, perhaps.

Any thoughts?