Hi Erik, like George pointed out as it holds true for the Academy P-38 as well though I find the Academy kit easier to work with. Those twin booms are challenging, and the way Hasegawa approached their way of doing things and the extra work to get the join lines to smooth out takes some extra work. Especially if you plan to go with a NMF scheme.

Thanks John not really a struggle, but a challenge I expected reading build reviews over the years on the Hase Lightning's. So it was expected, I find the Academy P-38's easier to work with though still needs a bit of TLC. Not so the the Tam Lightning. That kit is so far much an easier process to assemble and the fit is excellent.

I somehow missed the last update, Chuck @uscusn!
And what an update! ! A challenging progress indeed, and Istart to realize what to expect as I will put together my Hasegawa "Beautiful Lass"...
You do a fantastic job there, eagerly waiting to see this beauty coming along!

Chuck, the amount of filler you used so far is the reason why I left that kit in the box after completing the cockpit. A real challenge to assemble without gaps. You are doing a great job taming the beast so far. Are you going to rescribe the sanded areas?

Love your filling and sanding job, Chuck @uscusn!
Tamiya putty looks to adhere well and being nicely workable.

Hi Pedro, yes once all the bondo work is done, I will go back and rescribe the sanded areas and restore those panel lines.

Thanks Spiros, a lot to do on the overall kit. I can see why many were turned off over this. I think more so being Hasegawa which usually goes together much better. But there quite a few built on the web, so not entirely a lost cause as the kit once finish is quite impressive if a variety of schemes. Thats the ebb and flow of this hobby. Just know some kits are a battle even from main stream companies.

The tail booms were the easiest seams to clean up and rescribed the panel lines. Then applied a black Primer using Tamiya Flat Black.

A bit more clean up is needed around the wing to boom joins, and re scribe the panel lines, check and probably sand again. Lots of work around this area.

More to follow