Mighty 8th GB 1-Nov-2010 - 31-Oct-2011

Bish-Please add me to the list.  I'll be building a 1/48 Tamiya P-47D Razorback.  Not sure who's plane yet, but I'll let you know when I decide.

Thanks & I'm looking forward to seeing everyone's builds.

Cheers

Ok NOW I'm in lol.

This build is too good to pass up so I'm gonna go to the LHS tomorrow with the intention of bringing home Revell's 1/48 B-24D.

Markings will be for "Fightin Sam"  566th BS, 389th BG based at Hethel, Norfolk

Bob Welcome aboard. Theres plenty of time, and i can't wait to see the builds, should be a good one.

redraider56  Glad to have a B-24 on board, and a Norfolk one at that. I was thinking i might have to switch to one of my B-24's. And Hethal is a good one as its one of the bases still in use, though not by aircraft.

Welcome aboard guys.

Bob, will be a pleasure building with you again mate!!!

Oh happy day!

Fingers crossed that my Sprue Brothers shipment arrived as well. I'm itching to try Mr Surfacer 1200 as a primer.

Glad you have been able to get those marking in the scale you wanted. Odd how all the other scales seemed easier to get hold of when 1/48th seems the most popular. Will look forward to watching your build.

Does anyone know if any of the Academy P-38s have 8th AF decals that come with them?

Afraid i can't answer the question, but until you mentioned it, i hadn't thought of P-38's being in the 8th. I just had a look and seems a few did have before switching to P-51's. I hope you can get a P-38.If i come across anything i will let you know.

Thanks Bish! I have the Glacier Girl P-38, but I'd like to build another one before I built that one so I know what to expect. I did find a droopsnoop one on ebay with an extra sheet of decals that has 8th AF markings so if its still there friday when I get paid I'm thinking of getting it.

Hi, Bish:

It's not the "bit o' lace."  I had that back in 1967, in junior high model club, and didn't have much success with it.  The current Airfix seems to be a rebox of the Academy/Minicraft B-17G, and comes with decals for "Flak Bait" and "Fever Beaver."

It includes both the standard Boeing and Cheyenne tail turrets, so you can choose between them--a definite advantage.  I got mine from Canada through ebay, and I'm not sure how available they were in the US.  Last time I looked at the Airfix website they weren't currently in production.

I have some aftermarket decals to look through before I decide what specific craft I'll build.

WW2 I remember seeing an Academy 1/48 P-38 at the LHS, the box just had 'European Theatre' on the front box art. One would assume there would be some 8th decals in it. HTH

simpilot34

WW2 I remember seeing an Academy 1/48 P-38 at the LHS, the box just had 'European Theatre' on the front box art. One would assume there would be some 8th decals in it. HTH

Do you remember or could you find a pic of the box art?

I seen a Pacific Theater P-38 on ebay but its 1/72 I'm looking for 1/48.

http://www.hannants.co.uk/product/AC12405

I am guessing this is it. But haven't been able to find any reviews that say what decals it has. But it's 1/72nd not 48th.

I did find this set of decals which includes an aircrfat of the 55th FG.

http://www.hannants.co.uk/product/SS72867

Ofr this set which includes the 364th.

Can anyone confirm if the 8th AF used the bomber version? The one with the clear nose.

I'm looking to get this tomorrow after work:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=400144116783&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

ww2psycho

Can anyone confirm if the 8th AF used the bomber version? The one with the clear nose.

I'm looking to get this tomorrow after work:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=400144116783&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Not sure about running down markings, but the 20th FG flew P-38Js through at least March 1944.

http://www.littlefriends.co.uk/20thfg.php

http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/weapons_P-38_droop_snoot.html

According to the above article, the first of those was used by the 20th FG, and the flew from England until the end of the war. But looking at the 8th AAF site, all the P-38 FG's seemed to switch to P-51's, but they don't say what date. Your best bet would be to go through the FG websites and see what they say

http://p38assn.org/variations.htm

And according to the P-38 Association, who should know, it was largly used by the 8th. I don't know what other markings come with that kit as reviews don't say, but i would give it a go, there must be a set of 8th in there.

Thanks Bish, yes that is the kit I saw at the LHS. Din't realize it was 1/72, sorry WW2. But here is a link to a review of the kit you want to get. Doesn't say what the decals actually are though.

http://www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/kits/aca/kit_aca_2158.shtml

So far from my P-38 in Action book I can confirm that a Droop Snoot was used by the 8th. 20th FG, 55th FS. More were used but careful research will prevail.

 Also whilst looking through my thick Spitfire book, The 8th operated them as well!!! PR's only I think, so there is another option out there fellas!!!

Well I gave in and bought the Droopsnoot from ebay. Although at this time I will not be committing to anymore group builds until I finish the two that I am apart of now.

Sorry, i missed the second decal link, was meant to be this.

http://www.hannants.co.uk/product/CA48091

But hopefully the Droop Snoot will have the decals you need. As for the GB's, good luck with that. I way over commited last year, got to the point where i was going from one model to another, but not being able to build the full dio's just the kit. So now mi have about 9 kits waiting for Dioramas. So i said i would only commit to one at a time. In the past two weeks i have gone from 2 GB's to 4 with 6 builds. One will come up that you just can't resist.

Though once you start to build up a bit of stash, you can just join GB's that you already have the kits for, instead of trying to find a kit to fit a GB.

DoogsAtx hot link to ebay shows a good example of sellers trying to manipulate the price of their kits with shipping costs.  I like the one guy who is holding his shipping cost down and actually selling the kit with a true auction.  That would be the guy I'd watch.  Rick.

Bish

Though once you start to build up a bit of stash, you can just join GB's that you already have the kits for, instead of trying to find a kit to fit a GB.

I have a small stash, but nothing with 8th AF markings. I've never done anything with after market parts or decals so all that is a bit fuzzy to me. Do they come with instructions on where to place them?

ww2psycho

 

Bish:

 

Though once you start to build up a bit of stash, you can just join GB's that you already have the kits for, instead of trying to find a kit to fit a GB.

 

 

I have a small stash, but nothing with 8th AF markings. I've never done anything with after market parts or decals so all that is a bit fuzzy to me. Do they come with instructions on where to place them?

Decal sets always come with placement instructions and painting guides. And at least in the case of the Mustang decals I've been collected, they're quite a bit more complete in terms of stencils.

Eduard PE sets (and masks) also come with instructions. 

Resin's a different matter. I'd imagine the more complicated stuff - complete cockpits, etc - probably has to come with something, but the bits I've purchased - exhaust manifolds, seats and whatnot - are basically drop-in replacements, so no instruction needed.

I can second all that. The decals i am useing for my B-17 are just very basic. And the instructions are also rather basic. On the other hand i have some decals like the Eagle strike P-51, the same set that DoogATX has but a different scale, and they have everything and the instruction are down to the last detail, including anything with the airframe its self that might need changing.

And the same goes for resin. Complete sets like the Aires ones give you everything and are very detailed on what you need to do, But the simple one piece sets like seats, wheels will come with a painting guide if your lucky.

Bish- I have another entry if thats okay

Tamiya 1/48 P-47D Razorback, Bud Mahurin's "Spirit of Atlantic City, NJ" of the 56th FG

Thats more than ok. I haven't put down an airfield as it seems this unit occupied 5 in the UK during its stay. Do you know for this aircraft.

Hey all - was doing a bit of idle research into Steeple Morden and Lt. Henry Brown, and came across this fantastic account of his going up against four 109 aces - without ammo - and breaking their Lufberry. 

http://www.acepilots.com/usaaf_eto_aces2.html#Brown

I also found a picture of the front of the aircraft, which very plainly reveals an unshrouded exhaust manifold. Crap. Guess I won't be able to use the shrouded leftover from "Shangri-La" after all.

Great account, that must have taken some bottle.

I found the Steeple Morden village website, its nice to see that still have links with the 355th and the scout group even carries the 355th flash on their uniforms.

http://www.steeplemorden.com/history.php

Doogs thanks for sharing that link!!!!  Great lil read!!! His plane is the one I have that is an old 1/72 Airfix kit! I saw the pic and smiled broadly!!!! Even though there isn't exhaust shrouds Doogs, you also have to take into account that it probably at some point had them. Possibly even on several occasions as engine changes were common.