Minicraft P-38J Lightning

[Glorfindel]

wow she looks like she's been though hell and back

Well it was WWII. That and admittedly I have a heavy hand with weathering to a fault. I could do worse things with my off time then modeling.

If you are going to hot soak it maybe try putting the spreader in first.

btw, this is too late and the wrong variant but they're cool photos
http://clubhyper.com/reference/showandtell3droopsnootdb_1.htm

Excellent pics, thanks.
So I did end up trying the stretcher and hot water idea like you said Bill and it actually did widen the canopy a bit. Not perfect but better. I did attach the canopy parts and right now their drying. I also attached two drop tanks and all the landing gear doors. Last is a hinge mechanism/arm for the nose gear door then the nose guns which look God awful. I'll post pics and you guys tell me what you think.

 

[Glorfindel]

OK I'm 98.652% finished with this puppy. Last two things to do is to attend to the nose guns and then fashion a base. First the nose guns. These are the pieces still connected to their sprue.



Nothing more then 1mm wide pieces of styrene with tiny indentations on them to represent the holes on the barrels. To be honest they're the worst part of this kit next to the landing gear. So my options are 1mm Brass Tubing for $5.95, shipping included, from EBay, or Resin P-38 Lightning Gun Barrels also from EBay for $11.17, also shipping included. What would you guys do. Accuracy aside would brass tubing fit the bill? Or should I just bite the bullet and dump the $11 on the resin? These suckers are small and at least I'd get 4-10" lengths of brass at half the price and could use them on future projects.




I'm all ears gentlemen.

So these are some final pics sans guns. Some look like duplicates but I was having fun with the camera and decided you guys love your pictures.

















I'd love to know what you guys think on the nose guns. As always comments welcome.












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[JohnSimmons]

I think that looks pretty awesome ;D

 

[wyoroy]

You did a fantastic job. Now my son is telling me I need to build one ;D

 

[adampolo13]

Nice Finish!

 

[Glorfindel]

Thanks guys, appreciate the comments.

 

[billb]

Very nice indeed! I especially like the staining/shading on the undersurfaces!
Very minor thing, just because you asked for comment, there's a gap were the front canopy glues to the fuselage. Maybe a smear of white glue, wipe it off and when dry touch it up with pastels. Same thing where the back canopy piece attaches might also blend that in a little more.
Lovely work though

On the guns, the photo of Arkansas Traveller that you posted further up the page actually appears to have unperforated barrels. Not sure if it's unique to that airframe (it's a 38J like yours) or what but looks like it gives you the leeway to use the brass tube if you'd like and still be accurate
Here's another period shot of the same aircraft:
http://www.dragon-isle.net/kwilhite/ark_trvlr.html

This photo (although it's a restored aircraft), shows the same thing:

http://www.thenewsherald.com/articles/2010/06/29/news/doc4c2a4df1117af375901959.txt

 

[Quaralane]

Looks really good. Me, I'd go with the tubing that can be used for other projects as well

 

[Glorfindel]

Very minor thing, just because you asked for comment, there's a gap were the front canopy glues to the fuselage.

Bill thanks for the pic and noticing the front canopy. Makes me feel better about spending less on the guns now. The front canopy is a chip mark that took a life of it's own and grew on me. Like I mentioned earlier in the thread I have a heavy hand with weathering and I clearly lost my mind. It bothers me too so that's something I'll address.

Looks really good. Me, I'd go with the tubing that can be used for other projects as well

Thanks Pat, and yeah I'm going with the brass tube. I just ordered them tonight so I'm hoping to have them here, painted, cut, fitted and installed before the BSC.

Cheers guys.

 

[Chris S]

Anthony my man !! Sweet build ....very sweet ! ;D ,Fantastic finish all round sir , you really nailed that one ... Just perfect

Whats next then ??

Chris.

 

[Cash]

nice details

 

[Glorfindel]

Anthony my man !! Sweet build ....very sweet ! ;D ,Fantastic finish all round sir , you really nailed that one ... Just perfect

Whats next then ??

Chris.

Chris in the house!! BSC. I have a few ideas.

nice details

Thanks a whole bunch Cash.

 

[Dave The Chef]

Lovely job! 8)