1/32 Lockheed P-38 Lightning Trumpeter 02227
At the end of last year I finished this P-38 from Trumpeter. Not a very easy kit to build. There were almost no parts that fitted together without problems. A lot of filling, sanding and repairing lost surface details. If it had not been such a beautiful plane I think it would have crashed in the bin. The kit comes complete with engines and landing gear, which I didn't use. I found that trying to get the engine in caused many fitting issues but it is impossible te see it in the end result (so why include it Trumpeter?). The landing gear is a very simplified representation of the real thing, so I went for the inflight option. This also empasizes the beautiful looks and lines of the plane.
I used AK Extreme Metal aluminium paint, which is very good and durable. Using different undercoats (regular grey primer, gloss black and white paint) on certain panels, I modified the look of the aluminium paint applied over it. This technique works well and I think is much easier than using different shades of aluminium paint.
The gun barrels are a Master Model set and the pilot is from the spares box. Almost all markings are painted on with 1ManArmy masks, which are great. A few decals from the kit were used as well. Enjoy the pictures!
You've done a good job on finishing this kit which I completely agree is a horrible kit. One of Trumpeters early efforts which was so bad that I did trash mine and quit model building for tens because of it. Even upon my return, I resolved to avoid larger scale kits because they take so long to build. I am glad to see that you were able to get it completed.
Came out looking fantastic! Nicely done.
Nice work, Erik.
Rare seeing an in-flight 38. Very good job fighting this through.
I often think of what are the best looking planes of WW2, and the Lightning is often overlooked.
It is kind of in a class by itself.
As Bill eluded, your choice to do the inflight display paid dividends. Your presentation of this aircraft highlights the beauty of the airframe. Your NMF work technique has a nice practical effect, which adds to the beauty of the display. Liked!
Fantastic NMF!
She looks beautiful, Erik @erikvkok
The way you displayed the in-flight is superbly done.
Well done.
In spite of the difficulties you mentioned, you achieved an excellent result. With Trumpeter, sometimes you win, sometimes you win after a lot of work.
Great work. Beautifully executed NMF. I like your idea of the different bast colors as opposed to different shades of silver. That simplifies things greatly. I have this kit in my stash along with the Jerry Ruttman resin back date set, but I'm not sure if I want to use this kit or the old Revell kit witch I have a couple of. I think I'm leaning more towards the Revell kit having a backup and all. I hope it will turn out half as nice as yours has.
Amazing bob on a most challenging kit, Erik!
All your hard work paid off, Erik, good to see an in-flight model, and interesting to read about how you achieved the slightly contrasting colours on the panels.
Looks awesome inflight as you’ve presented it. Great build.
Good work on a kit Trumpeter could have put some extra effort into. I managed to do a couple of them and both of them fought all the way. So congratulations on a triumph of talent over plastic.