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Tom Bebout
142 articles

Revell 1/48 P-38 Lightning

December 30, 2016 · in Aviation · · 18 · 5K

A blast from the recent pass. This kit has been around forever so I thought I would try my hand at a natural metal finish. Used Tamiya TS-17 gloss aluminum from a rattle can. Then added some True Detail wheels and an UltraCast seat. Got too aggressive with the front wheel when cutting it off the molding block so it looks like it needs some air pressure. Used nylon thread for antenna and the decals are from spares. Lots of rivets and a canopy that's pretty worthless but it still looks like a . And to all you folks that follow iModeler have a safe but fun filled Happy New Year.

Reader reactions:
5  Awesome

10 additional images. Click to enlarge.


18 responses

  1. Looks like an excellent build from here, Tom...I like the way it turned out!

  2. Almost all of us model airplane guys have built this kit, very few this well. Nicely done Tom.

    Now I don't mean to start a fight here, but, am I the only person that thinks its time to gives us a new P-38 in both 1/72 and 1/48. Lets face it. the current kits all have issue's, especially that over priced Hasegawa entry. I know some are not bad, but the last worthy P-38 produced by a good company, I think Gerald Ford was president.

    Now Tom has done a wonderful build here, but only thanks to his skill in updated this kit. Again nice work here Tom, and I apologized for the rant !, but come on Airfix, Tamiya. I want one !

  3. That's a super sleek looking machine, very nice job

  4. Great build, nice natural finish.

  5. Tom...Nice job on a vintage kit. Well done.

  6. Although clunky by todays standards, this was a real step forward when it came out. Monogram made an attempt to color the plastic so some folks didn't have to paint it silver. The panel lines are raised, of course. No wheel well details, minimal cockpit. On the other hand, all kinds of choices of variants, PR and nightfighter, bombs and the rocket "tree". It is an -L, zap flaps underwing.
    Yeah, I'd take a new one, I'm a s****r for two bullets on a knife. whatta beaut!
    Nice one, Tom!

  7. Its always a pleasure to see a well build and painted P-38. Well done !

  8. Beautiful looking aircraft You did it justice looks great

    Tom

  9. Great build of a hard to build kit. Last time I tried to build one I finally gave up, hats off man, great job!

  10. Wow you did a fine job with the "rattle can". The finish looks great. You did a fantastic job with this one. Happy New Year my friend.

  11. Great work on a good looking aircraft, a fitting finish to 2016.

  12. No expert on the anatomy of a P-38 but the weathering on the air intakes and the top of the supercharger are really nicely done! Inspiring stuff!

  13. Thanks Paul, the superchargers were hand painted with small bottle Testors rubber, then dry brushed using Model Master chrome. Seems to work for me.

  14. Looks great! Good work on the NMF and weathering.

  15. Nice work on a hogs' ear. Did the night fighter version myself, didn't like the way it was going and it became landfill.

  16. Nice job I built the hasegawa one it was a chore, and next time it will be revells. Good stuff Tom.

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