Stephen, @stephen-w-towle
That idea of yours might just be the ticket. I saw an artists illustration showing the various maneuvers that were flown by Lamphier and Barber as they intercepted the Betty's. It may have included some of the Zero's as they were intercepted by other P-38's.

I believe it was based on the after action report. This would be interesting to see wouldn't it ? Wonderful idea... Now I'll have to go find that illustration again... You're absolutely correct, there's been a lot of reading and searching going on for this build. I like history, so its actually fun for me doing the research. At times it is just as fun or even better than building a model. This is particularly true when a kit is fighting you. Luckily for me, this hasn't been a problem with these builds. Not yet, and I hope it continues this way.
Now I just jinxed myself... quick ! Find some wood and knock on it.

Thanks !

Tom, @tom-bebout
Thanks for sharing the story about your mom with us. My condolences for your loss. Even if some time has passed, I'm sure there's not a day that goes by where you don't think about her. She sounds like she was a special lady...

I'm simply amazed at just how many people knew about the P-38 and how it was their personal favorite. I had a school bus driver who was a pilot in the Army Air Force during the War... I asked him which planes he flew. He immediately told me he flew the A-20 Havoc, and how sweet it was to fly at treetop level. I asked him how he was selected to fly the A-20. He told me that he was given a choice of what kind of plane he wanted to fly... single seat planes or if he wanted to go to twin engine flight school at this point. He told me he chose the twins, because he wanted to fly the P-38 ! In the long run the put him in the A-20 instead...

I remember watching your P-38 come to life in our Kasserine Pass GB... It's a real beauty. You did good. I'll be looking forward to seeing your next creation as I'm sure it will be a good one. Good luck with the decal outsourcing... can you combine several names of various planes to get the exact name you want ? Such as "Anna" and "Belle" ? The B-17 Memphis Belle or the F4U #86 named Lucybelle (Boyington's plane) could be a starter... Just a thought.

Thanks buddy...

Louis @lgardner, my vote is you get the other Betty started and ready for paint. Run the production line on what you have up to the initial painting and let them rest while you start the 38's. Or not...just me thinking I'm being logical. Do what you want, we are just along for the ride.

As for the flaps being extended, remember that conversation we had about the flaps on a Helldiver? S.O.P on board a Carrier required that all aircraft after landing, the attitude adjustment features (flaps, horizontal stabilizer and ailerons were secured once parked. Meaning that immediately after landing, the handlers would direct the pilots to close flaps and fold wings if equipped. Once parked, the other surfaces would be secured by the deck crew with cables inside the cockpit. Here is the way they would secure a Helldiver. On the CAF Helldiver, we have external locking devices instead of this system.

For land operating aircraft, things are a bit different. If the normal routine was to land and/or take off with flaps extended, they may not return them to a closed position after landing (though they should) and extended flaps were not necessarily a hazard for ground personnel as they could be on a flight deck.

So in a nutshell, do what you want, either way would be correct. Extended flaps and drooped elevators give a cool effect on most models. Just my two cents.

Hello James.
I have decided to follow your advice and start the other Betty. I’ll get it done to the same place as this one is and then I’ll paint all the Mitsubishi planes at the same time. Good idea you have there.

Also I’ll build one with the flaps up as I originally intended, and I’ll lower the flaps on the second one. Another great idea you had there.

I remember our previous conversation with the operating system that was used on the SB2C. That is some great information you shared with me.

Thanks !

Chuck,
I have been using your Betty build journal as a reference for building up mine. You have included a lot of great information and the pictures you posted are very good too. It has been very helpful during the build of this one.

Tamiya has definitely made an effort to keep the details intact and make it a builder friendly kit. I am very pleasantly surprised by how nice this kit has been going together. The fit has been spot on and the details are very nicely done. I’m sure that someone could add some extra stuff and have a Museum piece with a little extra effort.

This journal is going to be on a temporary hold pattern until I get the MiG 15’s done. I also have a 1/48 scale Monogram B-24 underway, so once I start building this one again I’ll be going back and forth between the B-24 and this Yamamoto build.

So please stay tuned !
Thanks again everyone ... and as always comments are encouraged.

I think there is another Gardner assembly line comin' up 🙂

May have to check if Glacier Girl is available, should I ever wander from 109's (oh - wait - I did that with the DHC6 already - disregard last part)

Looking forward to the ride!

Eric, @airbum

I managed to get a set of the decals... They arrived on the doorstep today from England. This is a wonderful set of decals and is worthy of it's own review. There are quite a few different planes that one can build using this single set. In fact they look so good, it just might be a good excuse to try and score a few more Tamiya P-38's...

and now I can build both Lanphier's #122 "Phoebe" and Barber's #147 "Miss Virginia" using the Tamiya kit supplied decals. This way both men will be represented in this tribute build.

They are:
Thomas Lanphier's "Phoebe"

as always comments are encouraged.