All the P-38's pictured look great to me. It is one graceful sharp aircraft. There aren't many that have that look.

The F-5 is the one in the the top pic. Also know as the "Droop Snoot" and was often painted in haze blue. Those are great pics Moff. Thanks for sharing them.

Gamera

 And I love the F-5 recon Lightning, I've got to build one someday.

 

Oops...I guess that's what happens when an armor buff tries to enter an aircraft conversation. Which one is the F-5? 

Interesting photo there Moff. And I love the F-5 recon Lightning, I've got to build one someday.

greentracker98

All this talk of "What If" reminded me of an article I came across when I was doing my P -38.

http://p38assn.org/aboutp38.htm

Lockheed proposed a carrier-based "Model 822" version of the Lightning for the United States Navy. The Model 822 would have featured folding wings, an arresting hook, and stronger undercarriage for carrier operations. The Navy wasn't interested, as they regarded the Lightning as too big for carrier operations and didn't like liquid-cooled engines anyway, and the Model 822 never went beyond the paper stage.However, the Navy did operate four land-based F-5Bs in North Africa, with these aircraft inherited from the USAAF and redesignated "FO-1."

I'd love to try to build it. Darn, Now I'm thinking about it again LOL If I could confiscate the wing hinges and locks from another kit (Maybe the Corsair) Hmm, This is something to think about, How about a P 38 Group Build. The first YP 38 flew on Sep 16, 1940. I wouldn't even start that GB until Sept 16, 2016

Here's What the Navy version would have looked like.

 

How bout this? 

http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/2638782/Re:_Intresting_photofind_P-38_ 

And this? 

And this? 

Whoa Ho! Now that is awesome. I have neither heard nor seen anything about this concept before. That would indeed be a choice subject to build. Needs to be dressed up in the tri-color scheme though. Just my humble opinion.

Gamera wrote the following post 30 minutes ago:

Ken, YEOW, I've never seen that! A naval Lightning would be awesome!!!

Well Gamera, The Navy didn't think that way LOL

I think I'm kinda stuck on P 38's and 47's I keep going back to them. Now That I think on it more, I think I want to try the US Navy Lightning. I'll keep it for the GB

Moff

 

 

Gamera

 It missed the Second World War and the USN had moved on to the F9F Panther by Korea so it didn't see service there either.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The French used it in Indochina, didn't they?

 

Yeap, TJ is right. Hobbyboss makes a kit with the French decals as well.

Ken, YEOW, I've never seen that! A naval Lightning would be awesome!!!

All this talk of "What If" reminded me of an article I came across when I was doing my P -38.

http://p38assn.org/aboutp38.htm

Lockheed proposed a carrier-based "Model 822" version of the Lightning for the United States Navy. The Model 822 would have featured folding wings, an arresting hook, and stronger undercarriage for carrier operations. The Navy wasn't interested, as they regarded the Lightning as too big for carrier operations and didn't like liquid-cooled engines anyway, and the Model 822 never went beyond the paper stage.However, the Navy did operate four land-based F-5Bs in North Africa, with these aircraft inherited from the USAAF and redesignated "FO-1."

I'd love to try to build it. Darn, Now I'm thinking about it again LOL If I could confiscate the wing hinges and locks from another kit (Maybe the Corsair) Hmm, This is something to think about, How about a P 38 Group Build. The first YP 38 flew on Sep 16, 1940. I wouldn't even start that GB until Sept 16, 2016

Here's What the Navy version would have looked like.

What kind of scheme were you thinking of doing? 

Gamera

 It missed the Second World War and the USN had moved on to the F9F Panther by Korea so it didn't see service there either.

 

The French used it in Indochina, didn't they?

CD: Very cool! Will you yell at me if I start calling you Bearcat Daddy now?

Steve: Yeah, I think they're mostly known as racers now. The Bearcat was designed as a fast climbing intercepter to take out kamikazes as far from the fleet as possible. As I understand they had the engine of a Hellcat in a plane only about 2/3rds the weight. It missed the Second World War and the USN had moved on to the F9F Panther by Korea so it didn't see service there either.

Cat Daddy

After much research and indecision, I've decided on this as my entry for the 1946 build:

 

Very Cool CD. That is the very kit at the top of my list of subjects to build.

Moff

 

 

Cat Daddy

After much research and indecision, I've decided on this as my entry for the 1946 build:

 

 

 

 

I love Bearcats! They're like more akward and yet more graceful Hellcats.

 

 

Cat Daddy

After much research and indecision, I've decided on this as my entry for the 1946 build:

 

Yeah, No problem at all.... Thought be a bit of a reach... Maybe another build and time when we can just put it all on the table. I had seen a all out imagination run wild build of a B17 with the main wing towards the tail and the tail pieces up front. All in all the builder did a very cool job on this one. Thanks for the additional info and links to check out.

Doug

After much research and indecision, I've decided on this as my entry for the 1946 build:

Damn, thats a real shame about the 387, i was going to look closer into that tonight. The 187 was a genuine idea, as indicated by the Luft 46 page.

Now a Ju 87C, thats a kit i am dieing to get hod of in 72nd, but none of the comapnies seem to be listening to me.

Yeah, but it's ALL made up stuff!   

Closer there, GAF. But that link is to all made up stuff too. The upside down tail one, that is.

He might be thinking of the 287, as mentioned here:

http://www.luft46.com/junkers/ju187.html

Didn't look very much like a JU-87 though.

PS> Oh, here you go!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junkers_Ju_287

Try not to. The whole point of what ifs is to stay within the realm of the possible. The so called 387 was a model put together on a what if forum back in 2013. No, Junkers didn't have a design like that. There was a 287, which was a development of the Heinkel 187.

But the JU 87 C Naval version, designed for the Graf Zeppelin aircraft carrier, there's something. Dive bomber designs never seem to have an afterlife, unlike most other airframe designs.

Do i think we should habe a jet powered Stuke. MMMM, lets think about that one.

To bloody right we should. And i will hold my hands in the air and my head low in shame here. I have herad of the Ju 187, but never the 387 or any mention of a jet powered Stuka. This wil be interesting.

I understand they were developing a 100 ton flying tank, also.  They were going to call it "Die Fledermaus". 

Gary

I would love to see a jet powered Stuka, hopefully Bish agrees! 

Hey Bish... I had read that RLM and Junkers had a jet powered "Stuka" on the drawing board, and I remember seeing some artists concepts. I believe it was to be designated the JU387... Much would be speculation and would mainly be from imagination... Would that be too far a stretch?

Doug

I like Jagdpanthers, just not the "Jagdpanther on steroids". My favorite is the "Ferdinand on steroids".