Great decalling, my friend @gblair!

Thanks, Spiros (@fiveten) and Yann (@yann). These decals were really nice to use.

Thanks, Louis (@lgardner). I had never used Wolfpack decals before, but they worked perfectly.

Thanks, @lis. I am also a little apprehensive during decals. Sometimes it seems they have a mind of their own.

The early P-38s didn't have gas tanks in the wing leading edge - that was where the engine air went to cool down. The P-38J and L, which changed radiators, were the ones that had gas in the outer wing since that area wasn't used for cooling.

Your progress on this kit is looking good, @gblair.

Love your oil staining research and implementation, my friend @gblair!
Looking great so far!

My grand daughter was visiting today, so I didn't think I would get much done. As it turned out, I was able to complete all of the weathering on my plane.

I started by using Flory Models black panel line wash on my plane. If you have never used this product, it is a type of colored clay suspended in a water base. You simply brush it on, wait for it to dry, then wipe the excess off. This is the second time I have used it on a plane, and it seems to work well. I have found it sometimes difficult to remove if you use it over a flat paint, but a paper towel dampened with a little water takes care of the excess. Completing the panel lining before weathering means that sometimes the weathering fills the panel lines with the wrong color and you end up re-doing the panel lines. But it doesn't take much effort to re-establish the few panel lines that are filled in.





I started the weathering by applying various colors of artist oils. I apply an off-white to various panels to give them a faded look. I also apply a reddish brown and a dark gray color in various areas to simulate leaks and streaks. I tried applying a little light green to the fabric surfaces of the ailerons, rudder, and elevators to simulate a little fading, but it didn't seem to make much difference to the color.





When the oil weathering was complete, it was time to tackle the effect of oil-stained cowling panels. The effect I am trying to create is oil that leaks onto the exterior engine panels from an engine that leaks oil in flight, then the crew chief wipes the panels with a rag after the flight, leaving the paint slightly darkened and shiny. After examining the photos I had of X-804, I decided to paint the exhaust stains first. This was a two-part process. The rear-most part of the stain was a white color, while the forward part of the exhaust stain was black and partially hidden under the oil staining. I sprayed both colors using Tamiya paints, thinned to the consistency of a wash using X-20A Thinner. Once these were applied, I used a cotton swap and a little alcohol to give the white stain to simulate the mottled appearance seen in the photos.

The last step is to simulate the oil stains. This was a simple process of spraying Oil and Fuel Stain from Ammo by Mig over the appropriate panels. The panels came out dark and shiny, just like in the photos (I think). I really like how this effect came out, even though it might have come out a little too dark.

Well, that's it for now. Only some small bits to finish and it will be done. Everyone stay safe. Cheers.

Fully agree with Spiros @fiveten.
This is great looking weathering, George @gblair