A project that was planned for the year, and with a couple of others finished, it was time to clear the way and start on the Lightning.

I reviewed this kit last year along with the Tam kit with a side by side comparison. Again not to bash it as the Hase kit is a good one, but with challenges. I have built 2 of the Academy kits which are recent while building the Monogram years ago. This will be my first attempt on the Hase kit with the new Tam P-38F waiting in the wings. With this WIP I will pass on the whats in the box feature as I have reviewed the contents already. Will go straight to building.
Starting with the cockpit.

As per my usual technique I painted all the Interior Green pieces before assembly. Starting with the cockpit floor.

Next the kit seat is used, and attach the seat frame to the seat.

Next a PE armor plate is placed on the upper seat back as well as the height adjust lever on the RH seat panel.

Before starting on the seat belts, I paint the battery Nato Black on the rear deck shelf.

Now first the lap belts.

While letting that RH seat belt set, I then attache the armor plate which also has the headrest mounted on it. The attach it to the rear bulkhead.

Next the rudder pedals are attached, I used the Eduard's pedals, hard to tell but has the Lockheed logo on them.

Back to the seat and place and set the LH lap belt.

The LH/RH shoulder harnesses are then place on the upper seat back and set for about 30 minutes.

Once set I carefully bend each harness over the seat frame. Then place the seat on it's mount on the cockpit floor.

next up is the control column, and the instrument panel.

More to follow

I'm in for the ride, Chuck (@uscusn). It always seems that the cockpit is the slow part, and then the rest of the plane moves quickly after you close the cockpit into the fuselage.

Going to follow this thread as well.
Great looking start, Chuck.

Wow, Chuck @uscusn, this looks wonderful!
I love how the cockpit turned out with the use of PE.
Standard Hase cockpit is not bad, but with the PE you went stratospheric! The more I see your build proceeding, the more temptation rises for me to bring out of my SoD my "Beautiful Lass" 1/48 Hase P-38!

Cockpit will really look the part when it is all sealed up in the fuselage, Chuck (@uscusn).

Spiros you are correct, a steady hand can surely pick out the details with paint and markers, then a bit of weathering will end in a very good result on the Hase P-38.

Erik, I use Testors clear cement which in actuality is a form of white glue. It does dry clear and makes excellent windows. But Elmer's glue (sold in the USA as a white glue under the Elmer's brand name) works and some have used Future as well to hold the PE bits. On areas where there is a bit of tension I use CA cement as well.

George, thanks, as Erik mentioned how tight the cockpit is just for the pilot as some taller seemed hunched under that canopy. You had to be pretty short to ride in the back of the P-38M Night Lightning and the F-7F-3N Tigercat were extremely tight

Hi John, hope that it motivates you to get one, and experience the build, this kit the Academy of the Tam kit, and even the Monogram P-38 old molds and some work builds a decent Lightning as well.

Very nice progress, Chuck, and excellent craftmanship.
Happy to see that the Hase kit is to a good standard so far!

Spiros, so far typical Hasegawa in the quality of the build and details on the parts.
John, yes so it has been ok so far. This will be in a Bare metal finish so let see when that time comes when the airframe is together.