What a beautiful job!

I really envy your airbrushing skills. Even though I've been using airbrushes for a few years I'll just never have the finesse required to really do those tools justice.

I have Eduard's 1/48 Pacific Lightnings. Is that the kit you refer to when talking about "My next build..."?

WOW ,your P-38 is bloody outstanding. I really like your color choices and I will certainly try to emulate this one.

I can only hope my Academy version comes out half as good.

Extra nice job sez Max--Keep up the good work!

That is definitely one Jim-Dandy of a P-38. Beautiful workmanship Joe. You certainly applied your superior skills into making a sub standard kit into one fine gem. Great work. Really great work.

As usual, beautiful work Joe. Fantastic.

BK

lawdog114

Thanks Gamera...

I was up late last night and got her done.  Again, I apologize for the lack of in-progress updates but my time has been at a premium lately.  To recap, it's the Hasegawa J kit in the markings of "California Cutie", flown by Richard Loehurt of the 55FS/20th FG right around D-day. I used an ancient set of Superscale decals which fortunately performed well.  Other than a set of PE belts and Quickboost gun barrels, its right out of the box.  

Can't lie, this is a tough kit and not Hasegwa's best work.  It's very old school Monogram-like with copious amounts of sanding, filling and rescribing.  You need patience to build this turkey.  This particular build was worse because the plastic was slightly warped and brittle.  I'm still pleased with how it turned out.  

Thanks for following.......

 

My next build is Eduard's reboxing of the Academy P-38 with all the goodies.  It will be kind of cool to see how these two compare to each other.  I hope to start that one next week.  

 

Dang that looks fantastic! You did a remarkable job on her. Nice fading on the upper surfaces and a good job weathering her. But even with having recently completed 2 P-38 kits - Monogram and Academy - your build is making me want to get the Hasegawa! 

From the model, the paint, weathering and ground work, just an outstanding build dog!

That is phenomenal, just outstanding work!  What kind of tape was used to get such clean lines in regards to the invasion stripes?  How did you prevent paint from bleeding?

Toshi

That is GORGEOUS, Joe!!

Absolutely astounding. That is ART. :o

Another excellent build. Wow! You're making me nervous about cracking the box on mine. Maybe I'll leave it on the shelf a bit longer. Sanding and filling isn't my favorite (probably true of all of us).

But your kit - doesn't look like you ran into any troubles at all. Great skilled work.

-BD-

Joe, You did it again. This bird and your Scat II are really fine P-38s. Now will your next one be in NMF?

Another beautiful job there Joe! You should do an instructional DVD on how you work your magic!

Nice Joe! =] I think you'll appreciate the Academy kit so much more even without the Eduard upgrades. It'll be nice to see the side by side comparison.  One thing I'll point you should be aware of...the kit allows to be built into several different blocks of the J/L and even a photo recon version if I'm not mistaken. Either way, there may be a couple of spots that you'll have to remove/sand for wing stoage and what not. I don't recall each option but give it a look see. It's a really versatile kit =D. Another thing that pops to mind is the radiator doors don't open or close like the Hasegawa version, but that's an easy fix with a razor saw or no. 11 blade.

I'll be looking for ya!

Hi, Officer -

A dandy fine job you made of it, even with some stubborness on it's part you saw it through, a beauty it is. Thanks for the WIP and photos.

Patrick

Hey Lawdog! Hope you've been well. As usual, a great build. I've got a Lightning on my bucket list. After reading this post, I think I'll start saving now for the Eduard kit.

I'm with you on the invasion strips as well. I just can't bring myself to "slop" them on :-) As always, enjoyed the build. Raymond

Beautiful work on the P-38! And a great base too!