**** DONE: GB-56 1/72 P-38J - Thunderbolts and Lightnings

Bustedwing · Oct 20, 2022

User name: Bustedwing
First name : Graham
Category: Advanced
Scale: 1/72
Manufacturer: Italeri
Model type: Lockheed Martin P-38J
Aftermarket decals

Well I didn't have anything in my stash fitting this build so I had to peel out my wallet. I was intending to do the English Electric Lightning as it's one of my favourites but they didn't have one so I picked this one up. I knew that the Germans had captured one, turns out they snagged two. Hannants had a decal set for one, T9-XB so I sent for it.

Wurger · Oct 20, 2022

Crimea_River · Oct 20, 2022

Another early starter. Is it November already???????

Bustedwing · Oct 21, 2022

Crimea_River said:
Another early starter. Is it November already???????

Well no it's not...more of a sneak peek but I've since realized the captured plane is a P38G and the kit I have is a P38J which would need a major hatchet job to pull off as a P38G. Pick up another kit or scrap the captured Luftwaffe deal ???? I used to be able to make snap decisions. This gives me a couple of weeks !!

Vic Balshaw · Oct 21, 2022

Whichever way you go it's going to be an interesting build though shame it's not an EE Lightning. By the way, what skill level are you entering.

SaparotRob · Oct 21, 2022

Make no important decisions before drinking heavily.
Build responsibly.

Bustedwing · Oct 21, 2022

Vic Balshaw said:
Whichever way you go it's going to be an interesting build though shame it's not an EE Lightning. By the way, what skill level are you entering.

I forgot......to ad it that is.

Snautzer01 · Oct 22, 2022

Another view

Bustedwing · Oct 22, 2022

SaparotRob said:
Make no important decisions before drinking heavily.
Build responsibly.

Sound advice ! I'm on it.

N4521U · Oct 22, 2022

And I thought I was bad posting early.
Good to see others have the same brain fart problem.
I had to look and see if I was late entering my GB55 builds!!!!!
Whoooooa I think I need a drink now. Good company!

Bustedwing · Oct 23, 2022

Snautzer01 said:
Another view

Lockheed P-38 Lightning

Lockheed P-38 Lightning

Great pictures !

Donivanp · Oct 31, 2022

Another Oklahoman

Wayne Little · Nov 1, 2022

Bring it on...

F-104nut · Nov 5, 2022

Look forward to this . Love the box art markings

le_steph40 · Nov 6, 2022

Nice project Graham :thumbright:

Bustedwing · Nov 6, 2022

Well so far my search for a decent P-38G kit has not panned out. That leaves me with doing the captured P-38J which so far I can not find any info on how it was painted by the Luftwaffe. It appears it might have been left the way it was captured and had the Luftwaffe markings added. The kit itself comes with options to build several versions and has a pretty slick decal sheet so I may just go that way.

fubar57 · Nov 6, 2022

T9✙MK was an F-5E which was a converted P-38J

Bustedwing · Nov 7, 2022

The kit I have is a P38J so it would be suitable as T9+MK. Question is painr scheme.

Wurger · Nov 7, 2022

Lockheed P-38L 44-23725 T9+MK ...

These shots reveal that the kite was of NMF finish at tops and what seems to be the yellow at the undersides. However I have a doubt that the yellow was applied on the way it presents the profile. Also please note that the top inner sides of the engine cowling were of the anti-glare colour like the panel in front of the cockpit windscreen.