The tale of three P-38 Lightnings...Matchbox, Monogram and Academy.

[scottie3158]

Richard,
great work on getting the best finish possible.

[rtfoe]

Jim and Scottie, thanks and tell me about it, I horned my scribing with this kit. :smiling2:

After the prime coat I did a light coat of preshade. I wasn't sure how the PRU paint would react...



The I prepared the bottom half with white for the D-Day stripes that were by this time mostly removed from the top sides. In the process I broke off the pitot tube...



Masked off the whites to recieve the black with the help of a divider for precise measurements of each stripe....



Black applied and masked off as shown in the next picture on the boom...



When the stripes were covered I painted the undersides aith neutral grey



As the PRU blue continued across the fuselage belly and boom I protected the grey painted areas of the wing with masking.



Looks like all is about ready for the PRU Blue paint.

Cheers,
Richard

[rtfoe]

What was amazing was that I had PRU blue in my paint stash which wasn't open for many years. The contents were checked and still usable.



Being enamel I misted a layer to see if there was any reaction to the earlier paints and fillers I used. There was non so I did two light coats and the pre-shade still showed through.



I did a gradual spray from blue to gray. These planes didn't have stark differentiation between the top and bottom.



After removing the masking I checked for any paint lifts



So far all looked good only a bit of green on the oleo. The slight hint of pre-shading can be seen. This method is so easy to control the amount you want to have which gives the illusion that you have painted a few shades of the base paint.



Cheers,
Richard

[Steven000]

Great work on these models Richard, looks very nice :thumb2:
Cheers, Steven

[yak face]

looking real nice now richard, cheers tony

[flyjoe180]

Looking good Richard

[adt70hk]

Looking rather good!!!!

[Si Benson]

I’m a bit late to the party but I’ve had a catch up and must say your making a lovely job of these Richard :thumb2:

[rtfoe]

Thank you gentlemen, I have to tell you that these 3 lightning builds were done a while back and am sharing it in line with the Lightning GB.



Did some panel variation darkened PRU blue...



Then painted the props...



Sanded the tyres to look flattened by weight...



Painted in a dark wash to the hub...



Then painted Nato Black for the tyres




Cheers,
Richard

[Jim R]

Hi Richard
Looking great. All the masking has worked so well. Your pre-shades always work so well. I have noticed that on other builds. I have decided to have another go on my helicopter build. My new H&S airbrush has a limiter for pulling back the needle so maybe I'll have better control and not simply obliterate the pre-shade :thinking:
Jim

[rtfoe]

Hi Jim thanks. I work with thinned paint and apply in layers until the desired effect.

Here is the coat of paint before varnishing...



After a coat of Future varnish the tone has taken a slightly darker hue. I have also removed the masking before the varnish has crystalised to leave a sharp edge to the frame.





The its to the superchargers with a base of red brown and then washed with burnt umber and then dry brushed with steel...



I stained the surround of the supercharger with desert yellow and burnt umber.



Decals were applied and a further layer of varnish applied to seal in the decals




Cheers,
Richard

[Kelly McFadden]

These are looking so cool!

[Steven000]

Nice progress :thumb2:
Cheers, Steven

[Jim R]

Hi Richard
Looking superb as always. That canopy masking is spot on.
Jim

[flyjoe180]

Superchargers look great Richard