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David Butler
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Revell/Monogram 1/48 P-38 J "Stinger"

November 24, 2022 · in Aviation · · 15 · 0.9K


Kit: /'s p-38J
Decals: Superscale Lighting Aces #48-1179
Paint: Vallejo
Weathering: artist oils, weathering powder, chipping fluid, silver pencil

Happy Thanksgiving fellow modelers!

After a fun time building one of these last summer (Pacific Prowler) using a Monogram kit circa 1969, I bought another more recent offering online (2012). Needless to say the 40+ years difference in molding made a huge difference and I fought flash, warpage, and massive gaps the whole way. I wasn't too stressed out though- I just wanted to practice building an olive drab before diving into the more serious project that has been waiting in my stash- Tamiya's p-38 F/G.


I experimented with different shades of green, weathering with oils, and chipping effects. Many ounces of putty later I think I have a presentable result, though far from perfect!


The kit was a hard build but at the end of the day it looks great next to it's Pacific theater running mate.

For $20 it was a good low risk practice experience. Happy modeling!
Reader reactions:
15  Awesome

5 additional images. Click to enlarge.


15 responses

  1. Great P-38! Impressive!

  2. Beautiful and my favorite A/C! Great work @dbutlr

  3. An impressive P-38 indeed, David! Well done!

  4. A beautiful Lightning, David David @dbutlr
    The scheme with those red accents does look great.

  5. Very nice build of this old kit. Well done!

  6. Beautiful result. And you are right about vintage kits being better than more modern re-pops. I got an original edition of this kit recently for a decent price. Man the molding is so clean, not a spot of flash. Love your build man great job!

    • Agree with you @robertandy the 1969 issue of this kit that I built last summer had great fit and required very little putty. This one was a completely different story! I had to walk the fine line of completely obliterating surface detail with heavy sanding/puttying or leaving some seams.

  7. Well done, David (@dbutlr). There is still a lot of life in these old kits.

  8. I remember building this kit with my dad when i was a boy.
    Great work David your post bought back a lot of good memories - thanks!

  9. Nice work! This same model was my latest build a few years ago. Kicked my tail trying to add detail. I'm my worst critic I believe, but like yours, i finally made a great representation of the P-38. Cheers!

  10. Well done David, that old dog can still hunt.

  11. Well, I'm sure impressed. Great looking model David! 👍

  12. Looks great, David.

  13. Nice! Excellent weathering.

  14. Paint work turned out great - I think you're ready for the Tamiya project!

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