1/72 Academy P-38J ETO

[AlanG]

Been trying to get a 1/48 version of this aircraft but they are going for silly prices on evilbay so i decided to build the 1/72 kit i had in my selling stash instead.

Read up quite a bit about this kit and it's a good kit apart from the decals (also remembering what Academy's Ju87 G2 was like). So i'm prepared for them to be a big pile of horse doo dar. They are ment to be thick and not very flexible even after a few coats of Microsol. But i'll give it a go anyway.

Going to be building the OD version that you see on the box. And that is purely because i love invasion stripes lol. So here goes...

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[treyzx10r]

Alyne its off to a good start,glad you're going for the invasion stripe scheme I like 'em as well.

 

[msm2]

Looking good there Allyne.

 

[AlanG]

Got a little bit more done with it. Very nice kit to put together. Can't wait to start painting it properly

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[colin m]

Looking good so far. I've always fancied a P38 and have always been impressed by the quality of Academy kits.

Regards

Colin M........

 

[msm2]

What colour did you use for the cockpit?

 

[AlanG]

What colour did you use for the cockpit?

Vallejo 71094 Green Zinc Chromate

 

[AlanG]

I've always fancied a P38 and have always been impressed by the quality of Academy kits.

There is no doubt they fit together nicely. Certainly lovely to build. But like the Ju87 G2 i built, the decals are a different kettle of fish. They are thick and don't want to conform to any curve. Also the Ju87 ones i had broke up really easy. I'm hoping these will be better but if the cockpit decal is anything to go by, then it'll be a pain in the rear to do.

 

[stona]

Nice start on a much under rated aircraft,at least in the ETO.

I always fancied this one.

"Yippee" was repeated in large letters across the underside of the wings.

Cheers

Steve

 

[AlanG]

Got the nose added with the 10g of lead shot in it. God knows how long the pva will take to dry. Might leave it 24 hrs just to make sure

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[The Migrant]

Looking very nice Allyne, seems to be coming together very quickly too. Is the undercarriage already glued in position?

 

[AlanG]

Yes Mike it is. The nose leg had one of the struts snapped so i decided to glue it all in. I'll mask around with cotton wool as that'll be better for protecting it. And yes it does come together quickly. One the cockpit is painted it's an easy kit to put together.

 

[yak face]

Whats this allyne!? dont tell me the luftwaffe flew captured p38's as nightfighters!!LOL! Looks great so far, they really are good arent they ,the little academy kits, hope the decals behave themselves for you, should look wicked all striped up. cheers tony

 

[AlanG]

Whats this allyne!? dont tell me the luftwaffe flew captured p38's as nightfighters

Now there is a challenge for a 'what if' if there ever was one lol

 

[stona]

The Luftwaffe certainly flew captured P-38s but not as nightfighters.

The so called "Zirkus Rosarius" had two on its books ,so to speak,and would demonstrate them to Luftwaffe units. The Luftwaffe may have used at least one as a reconnaissance aircraft later in the war.

Cheers

Steve

 

[AlanG]

Ok made a boo boo with this. Whilst 'handling' it i dropped it and broke off one of the u/c legs. Have put it back in but it's not sitting totally straight. You probably wouldn't notice when it's displayed but i know

Just sprayed the underside with Tamiya XF-53 (Natural grey) with a splash Tamiya X-2 (white) to weather it a little. Looks ok but in doing this i have totally forgotten to pre-shade it.... DOH! Oh well i'll remember for the next one.... honest

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[papa 695]

Looking good mate pitty about the drop butterfingers:oops:

 

[AlanG]

And so the fun begins. Started painting the invasion stripes on. Have decided to do the back end first and wait until it's completely dry before starting on the wings

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[AlanG]

Ok maybe i didn't finished the back end first lol

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[AlanG]

Only one little area of bleed whilst doing the booms and considering the difficulty i had in masking it i can accept that. Well chuffed with how they've come out.

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I can now remember why i much prefer working on bigger scale stuff lol

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