Yaks Revell (monogram) P-38M night lightning in 1/48

[yak face]

Here’s my entry to this excellent GB , the venerable Monogram/Revell P-38 Lightning in 1/48 scale. This kit is typical monogram ,nicely detailed in places but raised panel lines and with a few open panel options . The kit was tooled in 1964 ,so it’s a year older than I am ! Despite its age it’s a good kit , according to reviews it’s accurate in outline and reasonably detailed . I’ve got a couple of pe frets for it that I picked up over the years and I will be using these and a seat belt set to just add a bit more detail. Here’s the box top and sprues cheers tony

[papa 695]

Nice one Tony. Looking forward to seeing this one getting your building treatment.

[yak face]

Nice one Tony. Looking forward to seeing this one getting your building treatment.

cheers Ian , ive been looking forward to this one , although ive got some scratching to do for the rear cockpit , one of these days i’ll just build a kit straight from the box!

[yak face]

Well thought i’d get this one off the ground ,so here goes . One of the first jobs to be done is also one of the most tricky, cutting off the rear of the cockpit and replacing it with the larger night fighter one. The kit has two lines underneath this area indicating where you have to cut but they’re raised ! Most kits have a recessed thinner section where any cutting might be done ( ie. undercarriage doors etc) by not this baby! So deep breath and out with the razor saw. I cut the top part off first with this which left a small piece either side to remove. For the final cutting I used the trumpeter scriber and followed the inside of the raised line underneath , and after repeated scribing the part was able to be removed by using the scalpel to cut the top part. Removing this last bit leaves the rear edge unconnected and the whole top wing very flimsy but once the replacement part was glued in it firms it back up again . Just a little filler at the trailing edge and it should be good to go. While this was setting I started the cockpit ,which is going to get jazzed up a bit with the true details set .

[colin m]

Ah, surgery. I had to chop the front of a 1:24 GR3 once to make a Sea Harrier. I can't remember how many times I checked and double checked before cutting.

[Jim R]

Hi Tony
These geriatric kit are often a challenge but with skill can make up into great models. Chopping models about is always stressful but you look to have sorted it. :tongue-out3: Certainly a bargain - 25% off!!
Jim

[yak face]

Hi Tony
These geriatric kit are often a challenge but with skill can make up into great models. Chopping models about is always stressful but you look to have sorted it. :tongue-out3: Certainly a bargain - 25% off!!
Jim

Yes three quid !!! If only they were still that cheap!!

[scottie3158]

Tony,
A great bit of surgery.

[yak face]

The brass bits are nearly all on , just the tiny levers left to put on but they will be going on last off just before the cockpit is fitted so I don’t knock them off. The parts have had a coat of zinc chromate green and are ready now for picking out the details . One thing I added was the oxygen hose on the middle console from a bit of wound guitar string , as the kit one was moulded on and a bit flat looking . The dive recovery flaps have been added from the PE fret , the kit did portray these , but they are moulded flat to the wing whereas the actual flaps sit proud of the surface.

[rtfoe]

Hi Tony, careful with the twin booms as they were a pig to align on mine being warped and all. In the end turned out well with all the twisting and sanding. Good thing I decided to scribe all panel lines.

The blings look good and blend well under the interior green paint.

Cheers,
Richard

[yak face]

Thanks richard i’ll keep an eye on those booms , cheers tony

[scottie3158]

Tony nice additions with the bling.

[yak face]

These arrived today , ordered just over a week ago , all the way from Australia!! The kit wheels arent bad -the tread pattern is a bit dodgy and the gaps between the spokes are filled in but sometimes its just easier to get replacements . These Eduard brassin ones are superb - correct tread , seperate hubs , optional pe wheel covers and masks . The wheels on p38s are quite distinctive so this addition should be well worth it .

[Jim R]

Hi Tony
PE in the cockpit looks great - very neat. Love the guitar string hose. Those wheels certainly do look good and great service from Australia.
Jim

[yak face]

Cockpit has been painted and put together as has the instrument panel. I gave it a dry brushing with silver to show wear on the edges etc. I had to add the bar behind the seat as nothing was included in the kit.The belts were Eduard pre painted ones and really make a difference. The instrument panel will be all but invisible once fitted deep under the fabric cowling but I know it’s there! The next thing is the rear cockpit ,or total lack of one! The kit supplies a radar panel and a pilot , that’s it ,so I’ll have to come up with something to fill the void ,seeing as I’m not using the figure.