P-38 Lightning group build - Are we there yet???

ok,, here it is.. done.. P-38M, Revellogram..

Started it 9pm Friday night... finished 9:45 pm.. tonight...whew... i missed my deadline on the 48hr Madness Build. but.. ...

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VanceCrozier

 

Howard, good to have you in the GB as well, looking forward to seeing what the Academy kit is like compared to all these Revell kits that are everywhere. Kind of makes me wonder how many kits there really are of the P-38?

 

 I remember building the Night Lightning version of the old Monogram kit way back in the 70's. I'll try and dig up a B/W Polaroid of it . The kit is a bit dated by todays standards or even Monograms later 1/48 kits but still builds up nicely even OOB. Just wish they had gear well detail. I have the current Revell reissue of the kit in my stash as a future project. 

 The July 2002 issue of FSM  has a P-38 kit round up list .

 The Academy kit has enough detail to build up OOB into a fine model. I love Glacier Girl but prefer to build mine up looking like a battle tested warrior. Just finished Accurate Miniatures P-400 for an online contest .

So I'm feeling a bit inspired to do a Lightning that flew out of Henderson Field or New Guinea in 1943. Those primitive conditions allow for some heavy weathering for that "sorties under the belt" look. Of course, a few kill markings will be in order. The Hellcat wasn't the only Zero killer in the Pacific.

 Howard   

p38jl

 

are the pre-fit weights for the P-38 ?..

if so,, u can use wheel wieghts,, the lead is soft enough to cut with wire cutters, then squish them w pliers to form them,, which kit are u doing again ?

...and make sure you use weights from someone else's wheels...

I've got some lead fishing weights to fill up those engine bays with. Shady Lady looks good P38jl, and you've managed to keep the gun bay panel functioning. How well does it fit when closed? I've been trying to decide if I want to keep it functioning or keep it open permanently.

VanceCrozier

p38jl:

 

are the pre-fit weights for the P-38 ?..

if so,, u can use wheel wieghts,, the lead is soft enough to cut with wire cutters, then squish them w pliers to form them,, which kit are u doing again ?

 

...and make sure you use weights from someone else's wheels...

I've got some lead fishing weights to fill up those engine bays with. Shady Lady looks good P38jl, and you've managed to keep the gun bay panel functioning. How well does it fit when closed? I've been trying to decide if I want to keep it functioning or keep it open permanently.

You can't get lead fishing wieghts in the US anymore.. there against the law.. But wheel weights can still be bought.. some auto garages, might give you some used ones..

I put weight in the gun bay, behind the ammo cans( epoxied in..) and in the engine nacelles behind the front of the propellor mounts. ..

Vance: the gun bay door cover fit well, you just need to do a lil bit of sanding and test fitting..Mostly on the plane itself, there's alot of parts that come together there to form the enclosure, nose cone,upper plane half, lower plane half...

Lead fishing weights outlawed in the US? Do they not realize that the modeling community uses these things!? I think I last picked up a pouch of those things 2? years ago - they may be off the shelves here as well. I like those little critters, you can fill up any shape with them. BBs would do the same I supose but more $.

I'll take a look at the panel, wonder if I could try thinning it out a little. (Hey, I'm trying all kinds of crazy stuff with this one, why not a first time thinning a panel!?)

Is that the Aeromaster decal sheet that you used?? "Fork Tail Devils"? I've got it on the way as well!

I ordered some lead nose weights from Terry Dean (NightieMission@aol.com) for my P-38.  Got a lot of other nose weights for my other tricycle landing gear birds as well.  I got them the other day.  The ones for the Academy kit fit in the engine booms.  He has a set for the Hasegawa Lightings as well.

About ready to start on my 38, other models are wrapping up.

p-38jl - Man that is one good looking Lighting!  And even more amazing is it was finished in slightly more than 48 hours.

VanceCrozier

Lead fishing weights outlawed in the US? Do they not realize that the modeling community uses these things!? I think I last picked up a pouch of those things 2? years ago - they may be off the shelves here as well. I like those little critters, you can fill up any shape with them. BBs would do the same I supose but more $.

I'll take a look at the panel, wonder if I could try thinning it out a little. (Hey, I'm trying all kinds of crazy stuff with this one, why not a first time thinning a panel!?)

Is that the Aeromaster decal sheet that you used?? "Fork Tail Devils"? I've got it on the way as well!

Yes.. it was the Aeromaster, Part 1.. nice decals, laid down good with Solvaset..  They also give you enough decals to do 2 birds completely... 3 birds are on the sheet, but they give you enough of all to do 2..

I also use as wieghts, bank cash shipping bag seals,, I used to have a source... lol..

Well the Aeromaster sheet + the actual kit decals should give me enough options to eventually build all of the P-38s that I have waiting. Then I'll have to find someplace to display them...

p38jl

are the pre-fit weights for the P-38 ?..

if so,, u can use wheel wieghts,, the lead is soft enough to cut with wire cutters, then squish them w pliers to form them,, which kit are u doing again ?

Yep - Terry Dean's pre-fit weights. I'd go the wheel weights route, but I'm curious to try these out. Heard great things about them, and they aren't that pricey (like $3).

Nice job P38, I can't believe you built it so fast!

Can anyone point me towards some cockpit pictures of the P38F, specifically how the gunsight is fixed?

Cheers guys...

Thanks !

have you tried a Detail and scale book yet ?

I've got a book at home I can scan, office scanner, so I can get something to you tomorrow. It's kind of a view from the pilot's seat.

P-38 - That's a pretty slick looking nightfighter! I'd be happy to do as good a job in 48 days!

As it is...you built, painted, finished and photographed that thing in about as long as I've spent staring at the parts and trying to map out my approach.

Vance that would be very helpful, I'll PM you my email address later.

P38 I only have some Squadron in action books so I've got a few pictures plus what I've googled but it's a bit difficult to figure it out, I dont think the movable IP cover helps..

Cheers...

DoogsATX

P-38 - That's a pretty slick looking nightfighter! I'd be happy to do as good a job in 48 days!

As it is...you built, painted, finished and photographed that thing in about as long as I've spent staring at the parts and trying to map out my approach.

thanks Doogs,, but to be fair.. this the 4th Revellogram in my life..but the first M Model...so I kinda new what to look for.. but don't get sucked into the planning.. just got the First place and begin....

p38jl

thanks Doogs,, but to be fair.. this the 4th Revellogram in my life..but the first M Model...so I kinda new what to look for.. but don't get sucked into the planning.. just got the First place and begin....

Yeah, I guess maybe not so much planning as trying to map out what to tackle when.

For example - I'm planning to add mesh behind the oil cooler and intercooler intakes just beneath the props. On the a/c I'm building, that area will be painted red, so I'm tempted to paint it red first, then add the mesh, then mask it off after the build-up and paint the surrounds red.

Or when do I paint and detail the landing gear, since it has to go in before the boom halves are joined.

Stupid things like that.

DoogsATX

p38jl:

thanks Doogs,, but to be fair.. this the 4th Revellogram in my life..but the first M Model...so I kinda new what to look for.. but don't get sucked into the planning.. just got the First place and begin....

 

Yeah, I guess maybe not so much planning as trying to map out what to tackle when.

For example - I'm planning to add mesh behind the oil cooler and intercooler intakes just beneath the props. On the a/c I'm building, that area will be painted red, so I'm tempted to paint it red first, then add the mesh, then mask it off after the build-up and paint the surrounds red.

Or when do I paint and detail the landing gear, since it has to go in before the boom halves are joined.

Stupid things like that.

So I'm not the only one that does this!

DoogsATX

p38jl:

thanks Doogs,, but to be fair.. this the 4th Revellogram in my life..but the first M Model...so I kinda new what to look for.. but don't get sucked into the planning.. just got the First place and begin....

 

Yeah, I guess maybe not so much planning as trying to map out what to tackle when.

For example - I'm planning to add mesh behind the oil cooler and intercooler intakes just beneath the props. On the a/c I'm building, that area will be painted red, so I'm tempted to paint it red first, then add the mesh, then mask it off after the build-up and paint the surrounds red.

Or when do I paint and detail the landing gear, since it has to go in before the boom halves are joined.

Stupid things like that.

 I cant remember which P-38 are you doing ? the Revell Monogram ?

If its the Revellogram,, there's plenty of open space in the wheel wells to reach the Radiators to add them after painting..

Also, with the prop spinner/mounts, you might try just a tiny dab of glue to hold them on,, paint them, them pop them off add your mesh.. then reglue.. or.. just be steady handed and use a good optivisor and paint them after..

p38jl

DoogsATX:

p38jl:

thanks Doogs,, but to be fair.. this the 4th Revellogram in my life..but the first M Model...so I kinda new what to look for.. but don't get sucked into the planning.. just got the First place and begin....

 

Yeah, I guess maybe not so much planning as trying to map out what to tackle when.

For example - I'm planning to add mesh behind the oil cooler and intercooler intakes just beneath the props. On the a/c I'm building, that area will be painted red, so I'm tempted to paint it red first, then add the mesh, then mask it off after the build-up and paint the surrounds red.

Or when do I paint and detail the landing gear, since it has to go in before the boom halves are joined.

Stupid things like that.

 

 I cant remember which P-38 are you doing ? the Revell Monogram ?

If its the Revellogram,, there's plenty of open space in the wheel wells to reach the Radiators to add them after painting..

Also, with the prop spinner/mounts, you might try just a tiny dab of glue to hold them on,, paint them, them pop them off add your mesh.. then reglue.. or.. just be steady handed and use a good optivisor and paint them after..

 

PS.. I detail painted my landing gear, after painting the plane over all, and BEFORE adding the landing gear doors.. plenty of room for not hitting the outside..

Well...not as I planned...  I come home from work to find my 2 yr. old daughter once again flying my projects..... I have been working on this P-38 for awhile now and as you can tell in the pic somehow she manage to remove the intake piece and I have searched her room and all her dollies with no luck.  I still have to finish the cockpit and maybe scratch some pieces.

This is Richard Bongs P-38  Marge. 

Recently the cable for the camera dissapeared or I would have build pics...

That P-38M is one heck of a weekend build!

Made a little bit of progress, and slid backwards some too.  I somehow lost my front seat ( a spares p.e.), so I just ordered one from my lhs, and went ahead and ordered some wheels for it too.  

Starting to work on wheel well plumbing.

Cheers,

Greg

New here and saw this group build and that there was a request for some photo's. I plan on joining this build but will make a formal announcement when I decide what I plan on building.

Here are some cockpit photo's of the P-38M.

I'll post some pictures of how the early gunsight mounted.

Mike

Mike (P-38 Guy), thank you very much!  That is just what I was looking for, and it will be a big help to me.  About the gunsight, do you know what type it is?  Was it common to other a/c?  Quickboost makes some WWII gunsight sets, so I was hoping that one of them is the right one for a P-38M.  Thanks again.

Cheers,

Greg

Mike (P38 Guy) thanks for the pictures, I'd love to see the earlier one's too.

Greg I found this bit of text, although it doesn't mention the 'M' it should lead you in the right direction

"During its career, the P-38 was equipped with a variety of optical gunsights, including the Army/Navy N-3 in the P-38F through J-5 models. It was a simple reflector sight that projected a 30-mil circle around a center aiming dot or "pipper." From the P-38J-10 onward, a redesigned windscreen required a new sight and mount and that led to the Lynn Instrument Company's L-3".

I think quickboost does an N-3 gunsight but I'm not sure of the others.

Cheers...

The picture I posted above of the P-38M looks like it might have an N-9 that was fitted to some P-38's.

Here are some pictures showing the set up of the gunsight on early model P-38's.

Mike

Ahhhh, spent my modeling hours this weekend on Dad's Christmas present, a '68 Charger R/T. (My car build for this year!) I'm waiting on a couple of cockpit items anyway, hate to start my -38 until those show up anyway.

Greg, thanks for the updates, nice work on the mesh insert on the air intake, looks like a good size to my eye.

And Mike, thank you so much for the pics of the radar operator's area, all kinds of wiring etc. for folks to add themselves. Best (and frankly, the only) pics I have seen so far of the interior!

My little box of goodies from Sprue Bros. just arrived last night, and I've got the house to myself tonight!!! Time to investigate the cockpit.

Sweet Vance.. I have a bunch of P-38 stuff... going to troll the stash for the next -38 build... gonna be and earlier model.. H or earlier..

Well I'm happy with the extras I've just picked up. The Aeromaster sheet seems to have enought decals to complete all three options they give you. A pair of resin seats, which I plan on trying to scratchbuild duplicates of. And the Eduard Zoom set for the cockpit etc. (For the Hasegawa kit, so I'll end up modifying some stuff I'm sure.) Some items from that PE set (belts, instrument panel) may be able to inspire me to make scratch-built versions for the remaining -38s I have waiting for me.