Hey gents! I have a P-38J/L question

[Anthony Leger]

very nice build and great pictures Lee

[Lee_K]

Thanks, Ryan.  I got my Contact Resine stuff through Design and Marketing International:

http://www.design-marketingintl.com/

I noticed that the wheels are still offered, but the props and spinner are not.  It's very possible that all are sold and CR didn't make another run.  In that case, I would point you to Jerry Rutman:

http://www.jrutman.com/index.html

One word of warning, though.  Jerry seems to a very nice man and is a semi-god to large scale modeling enthusiasts.  Unfortunately his products are a little on the amateurish side, with lot of air bubbles and trash in the resin (he apparently isn't using a pressure pot to pour his resin), so it will require some cleanup.  Definitely not state-of-the-art, but there's a lot of heart in his products.

Let me know if you would like to meet sometime in the summer.  I live in Chapel Hill, so if you are going there for a class, we could certainly arrange a meet at Caribou Coffee or some similar place.  I will be happy to let you have any of the decals I have for the Trumpeter kit: I'm not planning on building another one.

Lee K

[ryanort]

Beautiful build Lee! Thanks for the tips too. Where do you purchase the Contact Resine items? I found the wheels but not any props.

I would be interested in looking decals you have.  Maybe we can work out a trade or I can give you something for them.  I am torn between making a famous/colorful version or an unglamorous  "plain Jane".  Either way, I am excited.  I should do a thorough workbench clean up soon to get things ready.

Ryan

[Lee_K]

Did somebody say Trumpeter P-38? 







Unlike many other classics (P-51, F4U-4, A6M2), Trumpeter actually did quite a good job on this model and its dimensional accuracy is right on.  A couple of things to be noted: the landing light housing on the wing leading edge isn't raised, like on the model.  You'll need to sand it down flush with the wing surface.  Also, the propeller blades are too short and are incorrectly shaped.  You can replace them with a set from an old Revell P-38, or buy resin replacements from Jerry Rutman or Contact Resine.  I used the latter.  There are resin cockpit replacement sets, but honestly, I found the kit pieces to be just fine.  The only building glitch I found was the fit of the Prestone radiators on the sides of the booms -- they required a lot of CA glue and sanding to get in just right.  I also used Contact Resine wheels to replace the kit's synthetic rubber tires.

The difference between a J and L has to do with the compessibility flaps under the wings, the absence of some fuel pump bulges under the wings, and the position of the landing light.  All of these changes can be made easily.  I've got leftover decals that you are welcome to and will be happy to help you with any questions that you may have when you get around to building it.

Lee K

[ryanort]

I am working on my last paper for my graduate work at UNC but I must take a break.  Reliable intelligence has come in that a 1/32 Trump P-38L is ordered for Father's Day.  My wife does not know that I know so I am secretly very excited and making plans.  I'd love to do something different than the kit markings but I really don't know much about the -38 (I have the Detail in Scale but it is Vol. 1 on the prototype to the H).

I would like to know what external changes must be made to backdate the L to the J?  The J seems to have more marking options than the L but I am not committed either way.

Any tips on the build or marking suggestions gladly accepted so feel free to chime in.

Looking forward to dropping in on a meeting sometime soon and catching up (my fieldwork wraps up in August). 

Thanks much,
Ryan (the other one)