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Revell 1/48 P-38J Lightning for the Museum

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  • Member since
    April 2016
  • From: Parsons Kansas
Revell 1/48 P-38J Lightning for the Museum
Posted by Hodakamax on Wednesday, October 12, 2016 11:00 AM

Max's 1/48 Comparitive Aircraft Museum needed a P-38 as all WWll exhibits should have. I took the Bong version and created a generic version with all the things I liked on P-38s. I guess it's how I would do it if I owned a P-38, (fat chance) and it is a generalization of the many roles it played as both a fighter and  a bomber. As we have disscussed the kit has some shortcomings and fit issues but actually looks fairly good when finished. Maybe it's just because of the cool design of the original aircraft that makes it stand out.

In my model building career I think I'm about done with cheap models where half of the project is trying to fix flaws. I know, some of you like the challenge but there enough challenges in a good model to keep me entertained. Better to spend the extra money and have something to start with especially as a representative display piece. Anyway, here's my version, I spent all the time on it that it deserved. LOL. Check it out.

Max

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Bethlehem PA
Posted by the Baron on Wednesday, October 12, 2016 11:35 AM

Well, for all of its reputed flaws, you turned out a very nicely finished Lightning, Max! 

I don't know--I built this as a kid (Seventies), and it was the pre-merger "white box" boxing.  I don't recall having the major fit issues that guys talk about today.  I may not have cared, when I was 14, or, I wonder if there is some effect of wear and tear on the molds, for anyone who picks up a later issue of the kit (eg, post-merger or more recently).

In any case, I think you can be pleased with your results!

Best regards,

Brad

The bigger the government, the smaller the citizen.

 

 

  • Member since
    April 2013
  • From: Eleva, Wisconsin
Posted by Greatmaker on Wednesday, October 12, 2016 11:48 AM

Definately puts mine to shame.  Fantastic job! Thanks for showing what this model can look like with capable hands

 

  • Member since
    April 2016
  • From: Parsons Kansas
Posted by Hodakamax on Wednesday, October 12, 2016 12:14 PM

Greatmaker

Definately puts mine to shame.  Fantastic job! Thanks for showing what this model can look like with capable hands

 

Greatmaker, it certainly doesn't put your version to shame, they would look good together in the museum as variations of the aircraft in it's heyday. I considered NMF but I have several models in that mode, and just wanted to try some different, particularly the yellow cowlings with OD and gray. I looked yours over carefully before my comments of good work on your part so keep up the good work and thanks for showing us your version!

And Brad, thanks for your comments!

Max

PS--here's a couple more pix that wouldn't load.

  • Member since
    March 2015
  • From: Streetsboro, Ohio
Posted by Toshi on Wednesday, October 12, 2016 4:30 PM

Very nice build.  It's great to see a olive drab instead of a NMF Lightning!

Toshi

On The Bench: Revell 1/48 B-25 Mitchell

 

Married to the most caring, loving, understanding, and beautiful wife in the world.  Mrs. Toshi

 

 

  • Member since
    May 2013
  • From: Indiana, USA
Posted by Greg on Wednesday, October 12, 2016 4:44 PM

Would never know it gave you trouble, looks very nice.

 

  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: State of Mississippi. State motto: Virtute et armis (By valor and arms)
Posted by mississippivol on Wednesday, October 12, 2016 6:32 PM
Nice build!
  • Member since
    February 2011
  • From: Bent River, IA
Posted by Reasoned on Wednesday, October 12, 2016 7:19 PM
Looks great Max! Have the exact kit sitting on my bench opened and waiting for me to finish...and waiting...

Science is the pursiut of knowledge, faith is the pursuit of wisdom.  Peace be with you.

On the Tarmac: 1/48 Revell P-38

In the Hanger: A bunch of kits

  • Member since
    April 2016
  • From: Parsons Kansas
Posted by Hodakamax on Thursday, October 13, 2016 4:27 PM

I finally found the picture of the real one that inspired me, at least the OD, gray and yellow combo. This one was really cool!  Smile

Max

  • Member since
    March 2009
  • From: Yorkville, IL
Posted by wolfhammer1 on Thursday, October 13, 2016 11:10 PM

Looks like you beat the kit into fine shape.  Always loved the P-38, looks fast sitting on the ground.  Here's a few shots I got of the Honor Flight at Osh Kosh 2015.  P-38, P-51, F-22.  Hope youlike them.

John

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Northern California
Posted by jeaton01 on Friday, October 14, 2016 12:00 AM

Nice job, Hodamax.  I have one of these I built in 1965 and it did not have any serious fit issues.  I of course built it with no filler and tube glue, so anything glaring is right there in front of me.  I did leave the gun door free to move, I mean, really, ya gotta see the guns!

As to your remark as to being done with kits that don't fit, don't be so sure.  I believe how we choose model kits is a close analouge to how men tend to choose women, the Crazy/Hot Index methodology.  If a kit's subject is interesting enough, I am willing to put up with a pretty large amount of trouble to get one in my personal museum.

John

To see build logs for my models:  http://goldeneramodel.com/mymodels/mymodels.html

 

  • Member since
    February 2012
  • From: Olmsted Township, Ohio
Posted by lawdog114 on Friday, October 14, 2016 12:19 AM
Well done Max. Thanks for sharing.

 "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
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Friday, October 14, 2016 7:52 AM

Very neat, clean, sharp work Max- kudos sir! 

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    April 2016
  • From: Parsons Kansas
Posted by Hodakamax on Friday, October 14, 2016 8:44 AM

Thanks so much for everyones comments! I think my problem with modeling is when I start one I think to myself that this will be the "perfect" model. My skills are certainly limited and an ill fitting kit does not help a bit, lol, but we do the best we can. I don't know how to tell you how amazed I am with everyone's skills and commitment on the Forum. Having not communicated with other modelers for decades, this has been quite the educational experience for me. 

Back to the "perfect" model. We can get close and always the end failure in my case usually are the decals. Discouraging. I'm running out of built models (only 3 left!) and will be doing a WIP soon and will be asking for everyone's advice on my perpetual problem of silvering.

Thanks again Gang!

Max

PS--Here's one I shot yesterday for posting which actually was a fairly nice model but after reviewing the pictures I decided the decals were just too bad to show. Grrr. Worse yet they have a coat of MM Acryl flat clear over them.

  • Member since
    March 2015
  • From: Streetsboro, Ohio
Posted by Toshi on Friday, October 14, 2016 8:59 AM

Another nice build for your museum!  What brand is it?  Thank you in advance.

Toshi

On The Bench: Revell 1/48 B-25 Mitchell

 

Married to the most caring, loving, understanding, and beautiful wife in the world.  Mrs. Toshi

 

 

  • Member since
    April 2016
  • From: Parsons Kansas
Posted by Hodakamax on Friday, October 14, 2016 9:07 AM

Toshi, the brand is Academy, nice model to build.

Max

  • Member since
    June 2014
Posted by BrandonK on Friday, October 14, 2016 9:13 AM

Excellent job on a challenging kit.

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
    August 2014
  • From: Willamette Valley, Oregon
Posted by goldhammer on Friday, October 14, 2016 9:19 AM

I would have thought that the F6F's had more Japanese aircraft destroyed than the P38, and that includes air-to-air and those destroyed on the ground.

I do like the scheme on her though, nice work.

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Friday, October 14, 2016 10:15 AM

Max, the F-16 looks pretty good to me! 

You might be able to help some with the silvering by poking a few holes in the silvered decal and brushing some Future on to seep down under it. When it's good and dry hit it with some matte varnish to kill the shine. 

Only advice I can give you on silvering it's the standard, gloss coat and then use decal setting solution. I've had very few issues except a few decals that even this won't work on. 

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Bethlehem PA
Posted by the Baron on Friday, October 14, 2016 11:58 AM

I second Gamera on the method to address the silvering, once the decals are down and cured, and you've already applied a matte coat.

As an additional tip, when applying decals, even if you apply a gloss coat first, be it Future or whatever, you might want to use that same medium when applying the decals.  That is, if you use Future, for example, when it comes time to put down a decal, apply a little Future to the spot and then put the decal on.  I've used this method with decals that I expected to silver, and it works pretty well.

Your F-16 looks like a nice clean build, too, well done!

The bigger the government, the smaller the citizen.

 

 

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