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1/48 Tamiya P-38J 479th FG Robin Olds "Scat II" (Finished)

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  • Member since
    February 2012
  • From: Olmsted Township, Ohio
1/48 Tamiya P-38J 479th FG Robin Olds "Scat II" (Finished)
Posted by lawdog114 on Thursday, December 1, 2022 10:39 PM

Greetings all. I hope you all had a great turkey day. I thought I'd share this quick project I threw together (along with an Il-2 Stormovick). I thoroughly enjoyed Tamiya's F/G/H P-38, so when they announced their J version, I couldn't wait to build one. Over the years I've done several Hasegawa abominations so I figured I revisit a subject I did with that kit .  That would be the markings of Robin Olds' "Scat II" while with the 479th FG around D-Day. Olds was a 12 kill ace (8 in the P-38) and on August 25th 1944, he actually shot down a Bf109 while in glide mode.  He was closing in on the 109 and both his engines quit because he forgot to flip the switches to the other fuel tanks. He gave the 109 a belly full of lead which then sent it down in flames.  He then restarted his engines and continued about his business.  He would later score 4 Mig kills in Vietnam as well.   

 As stated, the kit is brilliantly engineered.  Like the Hasegawa kit, I had trouble with the nose gun bays fitting right. I had large gaps to fill and then rescribe. I'm guessing I messed something up as I don't recall these issues on my previous builds of this subject. The way it goes sometimes. I added Ultracast wheels and PE seatbelts. I extended the front gear leg slightly with sprue to give the plane that classic backwards rake commonly seen on parked P-38s. Everything but the Scat II decal was painted on.  I used Kits World decals which were horrible and disintegrated in water.  I was lucky to salvage the Scat decal.  Perhaps I got a bad sheet. It's my understanding that Olds waxed his planes for extra speed, but shiny is not my style and would not look right on a scale model.  I made it look "warbird appropriate" with chipping in the proper areas and plenty of dirt.  Paint was AK real colors and Tamiya.  Weathering was done with Ammo/Mig enamel washes.

 

  

 

 

     

 "Can you fly this plane and land it?...Surely you can't be serious....I am serious, and don't call me Shirley"

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    June 2014
Posted by BrandonK on Thursday, December 1, 2022 10:41 PM

Stupendous work, Joe. She looks well used and still deadly. Super cool bird.

BK

On the bench:

A lot !! And I mean A LOT!!

2024 Kits on deck / in process / completed   

                         14 / 5 / 2  

                              Tongue Tied

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: USA
Posted by keavdog on Friday, December 2, 2022 7:28 AM

Very nice!  Must have been a bear masking the invasion stripes on the booms.  Didn't recognize Robin Olds without the stache.

Thanks,

John

fox
  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Narvon, Pa.
Posted by fox on Friday, December 2, 2022 9:33 PM

Very nice work Joe! Love the hard weathering.

Stay Safe.

Jim Captain

 Main WIP: 

   On the Bench: Artesania Latina  (aka) Artists in the Latrine 1/75 Bluenose II

I keep hitting "escape", but I'm still here.

  • Member since
    November 2022
Posted by Brian C on Saturday, December 3, 2022 12:52 AM

Beautiful! If I may ask, how did you achieve that stained/splotchy look around the cockpit and fuel points? That weathering looks outstanding. 

  • Member since
    May 2006
  • From: Chapin, South Carolina
Posted by Shipwreck on Saturday, December 3, 2022 11:32 AM

Beautiful art work!

On the Bench:

Revell 1/96 USS Constitution - rigging

Kinetic 1/48 YF-104A 5-2957

Trumpeter 1/350 USS Hornet CV-8

Revell 1/48 B-1B Lancer Prep & Reasearch

 

 

  • Member since
    January 2017
Posted by damouav on Saturday, December 3, 2022 11:38 AM

I say it every time, absolutely stunning. Your weathering effects are just spot on. Look forward to the next.

In Progress
1/48 Tamiya P47-D Bubbletop
1/48 Hobby Boss TBF-1C Avenger (on hold)
Pending
1/48 Roden S.E.5a
1/48 Airfix Walrus
  • Member since
    May 2004
  • From: Land of Lakes
Posted by cbaltrin on Saturday, December 3, 2022 11:51 AM

Looks great

On the Bench: Too Much

  • Member since
    July 2015
Posted by MR TOM SCHRY on Saturday, December 3, 2022 5:26 PM

Lawdog 114, You knocked it out of the park on this build!  This is officially my favorite build of 2022.  Fantastic weathering and paint chipping!  I agree with your "Warbird" approach.  Do you have plans to do his P-51 & F-4 ?  The best part is that I've often wanted to build the aircraft that Robin Olds flew in his career.

tjs

TJS

  • Member since
    July 2019
Posted by Hoss WA on Sunday, December 4, 2022 7:59 PM

There are invasion stripes and then there are invasion stripes! Home run on this one LD. I continue to admire your weathering and have to start getting more serious with the hairspray technique. Congrats. Love it. 

  • Member since
    March 2013
Posted by patrick206 on Tuesday, December 6, 2022 4:03 PM

Hi, Joe-

What a fine tribute to such an outstanding gentleman as the General. In my mind he defines the terms loyal and brave, his service will always be remembered as exemplary.

He was a passenger on one of my flights out of DFW, as I recall he was still an imposing figure with his trademark "stache." The First Officer knew quite a lot of his military history, he said Olds was regarded with the utmost respect by his junior pilots. One description was that he needed a large sling in his shorts, to keep his huge _alls from dragging as he walked.

Your build of the model of his airplane is to your usual standards, just as good as it gets. Thanks for the post and photos.

Patrick

  • Member since
    February 2012
  • From: Olmsted Township, Ohio
Posted by lawdog114 on Tuesday, December 6, 2022 10:31 PM

BrandonK

Stupendous work, Joe. She looks well used and still deadly. Super cool bird.

BK

 

Thanks Brandon

 "Can you fly this plane and land it?...Surely you can't be serious....I am serious, and don't call me Shirley"

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    February 2012
  • From: Olmsted Township, Ohio
Posted by lawdog114 on Tuesday, December 6, 2022 10:33 PM

keavdog

Very nice!  Must have been a bear masking the invasion stripes on the booms.  Didn't recognize Robin Olds without the stache.

 

Thanks John.  Indeed, It was tough due to the taper.  I have to do it again soon on a 1/32 P-61.  That mustache curls at the too.....lol

 "Can you fly this plane and land it?...Surely you can't be serious....I am serious, and don't call me Shirley"

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    February 2012
  • From: Olmsted Township, Ohio
Posted by lawdog114 on Tuesday, December 6, 2022 10:34 PM

fox

Very nice work Joe! Love the hard weathering.

Stay Safe.

Jim Captain

 

Thanks Jim

 "Can you fly this plane and land it?...Surely you can't be serious....I am serious, and don't call me Shirley"

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    February 2012
  • From: Olmsted Township, Ohio
Posted by lawdog114 on Tuesday, December 6, 2022 10:40 PM

Brian C

Beautiful! If I may ask, how did you achieve that stained/splotchy look around the cockpit and fuel points? That weathering looks outstanding. 

 

Thanks Brian.  I've been experimenting with spatter templates lately. Basically you throw down the original color first, lighten it, then use the template to add the splotchy appearance. The dirty effect is an enamel filter.   

 "Can you fly this plane and land it?...Surely you can't be serious....I am serious, and don't call me Shirley"

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    February 2012
  • From: Olmsted Township, Ohio
Posted by lawdog114 on Tuesday, December 6, 2022 10:40 PM

Shipwreck

Beautiful art work!

 

Thank you

 "Can you fly this plane and land it?...Surely you can't be serious....I am serious, and don't call me Shirley"

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    February 2012
  • From: Olmsted Township, Ohio
Posted by lawdog114 on Tuesday, December 6, 2022 10:41 PM

damouav

I say it every time, absolutely stunning. Your weathering effects are just spot on. Look forward to the next.

 

Thanks Damian

 "Can you fly this plane and land it?...Surely you can't be serious....I am serious, and don't call me Shirley"

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    February 2012
  • From: Olmsted Township, Ohio
Posted by lawdog114 on Tuesday, December 6, 2022 10:41 PM

cbaltrin

Looks great

 

Thanks!

 "Can you fly this plane and land it?...Surely you can't be serious....I am serious, and don't call me Shirley"

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    February 2012
  • From: Olmsted Township, Ohio
Posted by lawdog114 on Tuesday, December 6, 2022 10:45 PM

MR TOM SCHRY

Lawdog 114, You knocked it out of the park on this build!  This is officially my favorite build of 2022.  Fantastic weathering and paint chipping!  I agree with your "Warbird" approach.  Do you have plans to do his P-51 & F-4 ?  The best part is that I've often wanted to build the aircraft that Robin Olds flew in his career.

tjs

 

Thanks Tom. I do and have decals for all of them. I've already done his P-51 once already.  I'm hoping Tamiya comes out with a C Phantom as I believe it was different from the B they currectly offer.  I'm no F-4 expert.     

 "Can you fly this plane and land it?...Surely you can't be serious....I am serious, and don't call me Shirley"

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    February 2012
  • From: Olmsted Township, Ohio
Posted by lawdog114 on Tuesday, December 6, 2022 10:47 PM

Hoss WA

There are invasion stripes and then there are invasion stripes! Home run on this one LD. I continue to admire your weathering and have to start getting more serious with the hairspray technique. Congrats. Love it. 

 

Thanks Hoss.  I know they are supposed to be sloppy, but I can't bring myself to do it.....lol.  The hairspray takes practice but is worth it.  

 "Can you fly this plane and land it?...Surely you can't be serious....I am serious, and don't call me Shirley"

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    February 2012
  • From: Olmsted Township, Ohio
Posted by lawdog114 on Tuesday, December 6, 2022 10:52 PM

patrick206

Hi, Joe-

What a fine tribute to such an outstanding gentleman as the General. In my mind he defines the terms loyal and brave, his service will always be remembered as exemplary.

He was a passenger on one of my flights out of DFW, as I recall he was still an imposing figure with his trademark "stache." The First Officer knew quite a lot of his military history, he said Olds was regarded with the utmost respect by his junior pilots. One description was that he needed a large sling in his shorts, to keep his huge _alls from dragging as he walked.

Your build of the model of his airplane is to your usual standards, just as good as it gets. Thanks for the post and photos.

Patrick

 

Thanks Patrick.  Certainly one of my heros, Bud Anderson as well. Very cool you got to meet him.  Great analogy as this was a real man.  It's my understanding that his subordinates grew mustaches as well to show their respect.  He was eventually ordered to shave it off..... 

 "Can you fly this plane and land it?...Surely you can't be serious....I am serious, and don't call me Shirley"

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    August 2021
Posted by lurch on Thursday, December 8, 2022 1:02 PM

That is absolutely fantastic. The weathering is perfect. Great job. 

  • Member since
    January 2004
  • From: Brisbane Australia
Posted by ChrisJH666 on Thursday, December 8, 2022 2:12 PM

Looks amazing. Great job.

In the queue: 1/48 Beech Staggerwing (RAAF), P38 (RAAF), Vultee Vengeance (RAAF), Spitfire Vb (Malta), Spitfire VIII x2 (RAAF), P39 x2 (RAAF), Martin Baltimore (Malta?), Martin Maryland (Malta), Typhoon NF1b, Hellcat x2 (FAA)

 

Chris

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