1/48 Tamiya P-38 H Lightning 475th FG “McGuire” (Finished)

Maurice87

Great build my friend, You where faster than me in this kit :), there is some historical and factual mistakes, unfortunately but there were a diffrences in external details beetwen G and H like bendix anthena, panel riveting  and bigger nose intakes, but don't worry it is not visible details on the first glance :) 

I like Your Lightning and Your weathering style :) 

Regards from Poland my friend :)

 

Thanks. Yeah I dont generally sweat the small stuff. 

Great build my friend, You where faster than me in this kit :), there is some historical and factual mistakes, unfortunately but there were a diffrences in external details beetwen G and H like bendix anthena, panel riveting  and bigger nose intakes, but don't worry it is not visible details on the first glance :) 

I like Your Lightning and Your weathering style :) 

Regards from Poland my friend :)

M4Shermanmodeler

Just to chime in on the compressibility theme. Think I read this many moons ago in Martin Caidin’s book “Fork-Tailed Devil”. IIRC the 38 would tuck its nose down and continue to steepen its dive in the compressibility zone no matter what the pilot did. It would eventually go vertical or even inverted while continuing to accelerate until the plane disintegrated or the pilot regained control. Must have been utterly terrifying. Back before the days of computer simulations the only way to find out an aircraft’s quirks was to fly it and experience them. Wow!!

Fantastic build by the way!

 

Yep, that's pretty much exactly what happened.  There's a good documentary on Youtube about the P-38 that discusses it.  It worth a watch. 

JacknewbIII

You have really done a nice job with that kit. I love that color scheme and you have convinced me to look into this kit for sure.

 

Thanks Jack....

B777Commander

I think Greg is right. I think you're a master modeler from what I have seen. I would love to build this kit soon, maybe in a Luftwaffe scheme. Anyway, this build is special. I read "Aces High" by Bill Yenne, and was blown away by McGuire's exploits. He was an outstanding marksman, no doubt.

 

LOL....Hardly, but thank you for the kind words.  Ineed, Mcguire was talented.  I may build his J eventually too.  I've seen the Luftwaffe decals out there. That would be a cool scheme.   

Just to chime in on the compressibility theme. Think I read this many moons ago in Martin Caidin’s book “Fork-Tailed Devil”. IIRC the 38 would tuck its nose down and continue to steepen its dive in the compressibility zone no matter what the pilot did. It would eventually go vertical or even inverted while continuing to accelerate until the plane disintegrated or the pilot regained control. Must have been utterly terrifying. Back before the days of computer simulations the only way to find out an aircraft’s quirks was to fly it and experience them. Wow!!

Fantastic build by the way!

You have really done a nice job with that kit. I love that color scheme and you have convinced me to look into this kit for sure.

waikong

Gorgeous kit, gorgeous build! How did I miss this thread till now? Do I have to put my hasegawa kit on ebay too? :)

 

Thanks! Absolutely....this thing has rendered the Hasegawa kit obsolete. Mine are going on eBay. Life is too short! 

seastallion53

Very nice,i can only hope mine turns out half that good.

 

Thanks stallion 

Very nice,i can only hope mine turns out half that good.

rangerj

If I recall correctly I read in Wings or Air Power Magazine, many years ago, the Mcguire actually pulled so many Gs in a turn while in combat that he bent the wings of a P-38. Anyone else have information on this.

 

Never heard this one. I did read that this thing could come close if not hit the sound barrier in a dive. They called it "compressibility" I guess. 

Greg

Sorry I managed to miss this whilst in progress, Joe, but also surely glad I found it.

Outstanding work.

It's comforting to know that even master modelers like yourself appreciate a kit that goes together right without minor fiddling. I sure like it better that way myself.

Thanks for the great WIP and positive critique of the kit. Makes me want to build this, or something Tamiya. Oh, and those gun barrels look great indeed.

 

Hardly a master modeler, but thanks Greg. 

plasticjunkie

Beautiful work dog as usual. The overall model and base detailing are out of the park!

 

I will be switching to the AK colors as I run out of my MM enamels. 

 

Thanks PJ

damouav

Outstanding work Joe, just outstanding.

Thank you again for taking the time to post, I look forward to your next build.

 

Thanks Damian 

If I recall correctly I read in Wings or Air Power Magazine, many years ago, the Mcguire actually pulled so many Gs in a turn while in combat that he bent the wings of a P-38. Anyone else have information on this.

Sorry I managed to miss this whilst in progress, Joe, but also surely glad I found it.

Outstanding work.

It's comforting to know that even master modelers like yourself appreciate a kit that goes together right without minor fiddling. I sure like it better that way myself.

Thanks for the great WIP and positive critique of the kit. Makes me want to build this, or something Tamiya. Oh, and those gun barrels look great indeed.

Beautiful work dog as usual. The overall model and base detailing are out of the park!

I will be switching to the AK colors as I run out of my MM enamels. 

Outstanding work Joe, just outstanding.

Thank you again for taking the time to post, I look forward to your next build.

Greatmaker

Perfection achieved. Another fantastic finish Joe. Always raising the bar 

 

Thanks Robert

Perfection achieved. Another fantastic finish Joe. Always raising the bar 

Reasoned

Beautiful looking build Joe and your kit review makes me want to pick one up...especially since the Revellogram version has been sitting partially built on my bench for a couple of years.

 

Thanks Reasoned.  I hear you, that Monogram P-38 was one of my first kits when I returned to the hobby and I almost quit again because of it.  Thankfully my second was the Tamiya P-47. 

bvallot

Man Joe, just as soon as I pop back on what's the first thing I see?? So happy to find you tackling this already. My kit is actually in the mail. I couldn't wait either and got myself an early Xmas present with a gift card I got from work. I'll have to take my time and come back to this thread later this week. 

Very cool Joe.

Any other tricks or takeaways? something you would do different next.time..??

 

Thanks Britt.  hmmmm, other than what I mentioned, I doubt I'd do anthing different.  It's a great kit and was a pleasure to build.  If I didn't have other projects that I had to get done, I'd build another right now.  

1943Mike

Outragiously delicious Joe!

Question - Do you use gloves for installing the canopy, or others parts you chose to leave for near the end of the build? I ask because I never see smudges or any other imperfections that might be due to dirty fingers on your builds and also because I'm not the neatest model builder around. Just curious.

This will be my primary reference for the build when I get to it.

 

Thanks Mike.  No gloves, I'm just very careful.  I sometimes use Novus cleaner on a q-tip if they get dusty.  Truthfully I don't like polished glass because I think it's unrealistic.  I don't believe these were perfect on the real thing, especially plexiglass. 

JOE RIX

 

 

lawdog114

 

 

JOE RIX

Your P-38 is exceptional. You've done a remarkable job in rendering the weathering.

I'm curious Joe, is it feasible to paint the guns and nose seperately then mount everything afterwards? 

 

 

 

 

Thanks Joe. You can do that if you so choose. I guess I never thought of that.

 

 

 

 

That's encouraging. I've got the Eduard Brassin gun set for this kit on the way. They appear to mount in the same way as the kit guns.

 

 

Yeah Joe, it shouldn't be an issue.  I just prefer adding guns at end.  Easier to paint then install.   

Joe another outstanding build! You certainly did it justice as always . Like I do'nt have enough kits in the stash You go and motivate me to order one !

Beautiful looking build Joe and your kit review makes me want to pick one up...especially since the Revellogram version has been sitting partially built on my bench for a couple of years.

Man Joe, just as soon as I pop back on what's the first thing I see?? So happy to find you tackling this already. My kit is actually in the mail. I couldn't wait either and got myself an early Xmas present with a gift card I got from work. I'll have to take my time and come back to this thread later this week. 

Very cool Joe.

Any other tricks or takeaways? something you would do different next.time..??