South Pacific Group Build 7 August 2006 to 7 August 2007

Here are some shots of the P-38 cockpit after the wash.  I apologize for the quality of the images as I'm still trying to figure out how to take super close pictures with this Canon SD900.  Also, if I had to do it all over again, I'd add a detail set or use a resin cockpit as the kit parts are very lacking in detail.

Looking really nice, Scott. I FINALLY figured out a tip to taking close-ups with my camera. There is a button that allows for the manual focus to switch over to a purely digital focus. Somehow this allows me to get in fairly close and snap a fairly clean picture. Not sure if this helps, but if you have a manual zoom vs. a digital zoom, give it a shot.

mucker wrote:

Looking really nice, Scott. I FINALLY figured out a tip to taking close-ups with my camera. There is a button that allows for the manual focus to switch over to a purely digital focus. Somehow this allows me to get in fairly close and snap a fairly clean picture. Not sure if this helps, but if you have a manual zoom vs. a digital zoom, give it a shot.

You're exactly right mucker.   

I have the manual here at work.  It has both an optical zoom, and a digital zoom for the close in work.  I just need to figure out how to navigate through the "set function" and "menu" to make that happen.    I know once I figure that out I should be able to get some really great close ups.

On another note, the more I think about it the more I wish I had gone with an aftermarket cockpit.  There just isn't enough detail, which is really disappointing.  Going to do some research now...

I ordered that exact same set, the Eduard Color Zoom PE set.  Never done an interior with PE yet, so this will be a first.    Should be a fun challenge.  The interior on this P-38F is probably the least detailed cockpit I've yet seen (out of the last 4 planes I've built), so it is disappointing as it is. 

I'll just end up soaking the whole assembly in Windex and gently removing the cockpit sides and major sub assemblies.  Funny how as you build more and more, you start to really want to up the ante on realism and detail.

Scott-btw-I thought the cockpit looked great.

Interesting dilemma on adding the pe-since it(the pe) is pre-painted, it would not be necessary to remove the paint on the cockpit but there is enough sanding & filing to make it necessary.  And I am interested to see how you get the pe parts on the cowling.  Looking forward to viewing the progress.

JerrynFrog wrote:

Scott, Your cockpit looks really good. The before and after pics really illustrate the improvements from the wash. I will do a wash on my next one for certain. Thanks for sharing........................If anyone watched the Monday Night Football game last night, there was a flash freeze after the snow and the roads around here were frozen solid. Some people are still trying to get home this morning. Not usual weather for the Pacific Northwest. The arctic air is here and is very cold.

Ya, we were out partying last night and watched the game.  Green Bay dominated the first half, but Seattle really managed to turn that game around!  Congratz!  It looked miserable out on that field, so I would have figured Green Bay would have felt right at home. 

I'm so torn right now on what to do about the cockpit.  On the one hand, I'm sure it would look fine as was planning on using the squadron canopy and therefore have it all closed up.  On the other hand, I also want to get some more detail in there, throttle handles and the like.  Hmmm... decisions, decisions.  I hope the PE set gets here soon so I can evaluate whether or not to redo the cockpit. 

Other than the lack of cockpit detail, this really is a nice kit.  I woke up at 2am and couldn't sleep..... wound up ordering another P-38, this time the Academy J model.  Must be my modeling OCD. 

bobbaily wrote:

Scott-speaking of modeling ODC....I'm thinking of using the Squadron canopy on my P-38 and either using the kit side windows or cutting some out of clear vacuform plastic-shoud be enough on the Squadron canopy sheet to do that.  Just a thought.  The Eduard PE will add so much to the interior and the vacuform front/rear/top canopy alone should allow the detail to show thru.  Or get another P-38 kit......

Do you have your Squadron canopy?  I ordered one, but it's on back order.  Should be shipping soon however.  I'm curious as to it's quality, I've never used a vacuform canopy before.

Yes Scott, I have the canopy.  The quality is good.  Only thing that concerns me is the cutting of the canopy parts.  I have read/heard of filling the inside of the canopy with Silly Putty for strength while cutting & handling and turning the knife backwards to score the canopy to cut.  Might be worth a post for expert insight.  I'll try to post a pic later.

btw-since you are much further along than I am, if you want, pm/email me with your address and I'll mail it to you.  It's gonna be a little while before I get to the point I need it.

bobbaily wrote:

Yes Scott, I have the canopy.  The quality is good.  Only thing that concerns me is the cutting of the canopy parts.  I have read/heard of filling the inside of the canopy with Silly Putty for strength while cutting & handling and turning the knife backwards to score the canopy to cut.  Might be worth a post for expert insight.  I'll try to post a pic later.   btw-since you are much further along than I am, if you want, pm me with your address and I'll mail it to you.  It's gonna be a little while before I get to the point I need it.

I appreciate the offer Bob, but it's going to be a while before I'm ready for the canopy anyway.... very kind of you to offer 

I'm going to need to get some silly putty or something, I seem to have gorilla hands when it comes to handling canopy parts.  I managed to crack two of my canopies (on the Spitfire, and the Wildcat) but you really can't tell... so I've been lucky so far. 

NucMedTech-I usually use CA, although some folks use Future.  I've even considered using rubber cement on seat harnesses.

As far as what the kit will do, you can go to their website, www.eduard.cz, and find the set and download the instructions.  That will give you a good idea of what the kit includes.....and what you have to do to install it. 

NucMedTech wrote:

Thanks for the info Bob, I usually use ca on my ships, wasn't too sure about the cockpit with the canopy. I guess as long as the ca has cured it will be alright. I had heard about other people having thier conopys hazed from uncured ca vapors. I'll check out Eduards for more info on the pe set. Thanks again.

NucMedTech-if you Future your canopy first, CA hazing shouldn't be a problem (key word here is 'shouldn't'-there's always a first!).  I've even used CA to glue a Futured canopy and haven't had any issues with fogging.

davew6003 wrote:

Maybe a stupid question here but.....is it to late to sign up for this build? I have an F4F I started last month and thought about posting pics here when done if its still availible.

It's never to late, welcome aboard! 

NuMedTech-don't know if you are familar with Swanny & his work, but he has an excellent article regarding the use of Future.  Check out the Tools & Tips section on his website:

http://swannysmodels.com/

Lots of other good stuff there also.

Starting at the beginning. First I have to correct the cockpit floor, so breaking out the razor saw I got to work.

This is what I started with,

and this is where I'm at now. Not much progress, but it is a start. Puttying and sanding are next, then I can get to work on the rest of the cockpit.

I recently picked up a 1/48 Hasegawa F6F and was wondering if I can get in on this awesome build.  Just say the word and I'll get right on it.

Aloha,

Chris

You bet Chris, welcome aboard!  I'm in Las Vegas this week, so I apologize if I'm a bit late to respond to things in the forums.  I'll be back home Thursday evening.