It has been awhile since the last update on the Tam Lightning. Going to finish up on the tail boom details.

The rudders are beautiful separate parts that can be post deflected to the right of left if you wish. The 1 piece horizontal stab just snaps into the boom. Then the rudders are then attached.

The fit is flawless. Excellent thought and engineering went into this process, locking all the parts in place and in alignment

Now to install the boom intake covers. The interior is painted OD. As well as the interior part on the tails booms.

Then the 4 pieces are attached, Again excellent fit.

The weapon pylons are then assembled and attached to the inner wing panels.

May go with a bomb load out on this version when I get to the point of attaching them towards the end of the build.

Finally the side intake scoops. Are assembled.

Then attached to each side of the booms

more to follow

1 additional image. Click to enlarge.

Glad to see this is still proving to be a well engineered kit Chuck. Nice progress on the booms.

Great progress, Chuck @uscusn
I do recognize the fragile pieces of the landing gear at this stage of the build.
During my own build I worried a bit about those but all went fine in the end.

Getting back into the saddle again literally puts us back in the cockpit.

Assemble the seat armor plate and brace.

Then install the armor plate into the cockpit. Precise fit.

The headrest is painted Leather and attached to the armor plate.

The seat mounting brace is attached to the seat and then installed into the cockpit.

Now for some glass work. The windshield is crystal clear.

The armor glass and sight is attached to the windscreen. The unique design allows to attach it in such a way to minimize smearing the glass with cement or fingerprints.

The rear glass, like the windshield is moulded in such a way as blending into part of the fuselage and much easier to attach when time install it.

The fit is flawless.

Now the front windscreen is installed. The fit is precise once again. Kudos to Tamiya.

Next up masking off the glass.
More to follow.

Great steps, Chuck @uscusn
Agree on the kudos, those Tamiya engineers definitely deserve them a lot.

I have to say your build brings back one of my favorite modeling memories! This kit is just the best, and I look at my P-38 almost every day and smile! Glad you are doing such a great job and documenting it!

Looking great so far. The Tamiya P-38 is probably the best made WWII kit in its scale, more like putting together lego than a model kit at some points.

Looks like it is a very nice kit - and of course your usual attention brings the best out in the build. I really liked the seatbelts!