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World War II: USA
Aircraft of the United States in WWII.
Hosted by Rowan Baylis
p-38 selecting a kit
blaster76
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Texas, United States
Joined: September 15, 2002
KitMaker: 8,985 posts
AeroScale: 137 posts
Posted: Monday, August 07, 2017 - 05:52 AM UTC
Hey:

Looking to build a good p-38. Moving in the future don't figure to bring much with me that is already built. lol been there done that. So time to upgrade. One that is built is the monogram. Looking for one that is an improvement. Now I am kinda fixated on Bong's plane Marge. So possibly go with the Monogram (again)with upgrades. Or aftermarket decals to get Marge. Looking for recommendations. Oh throw a Spitfire Mk 1 into mix. looking at a Tamiya anything significantly better there?
c4willy
#305
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Christchurch, New Zealand
Joined: February 01, 2006
KitMaker: 1,673 posts
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Posted: Monday, August 07, 2017 - 06:02 AM UTC
What scale were you thinking?
Jessie_C
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British Columbia, Canada
Joined: September 03, 2009
KitMaker: 6,965 posts
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Posted: Monday, August 07, 2017 - 08:28 AM UTC
The best P-38 in 1/72 is the Academy kit from about 10 years ago. All the other options in this scale are from the 1960s and 1970s.

In 1/48, there's the ancient Monogram and the more recent Academy and Hasegawa kits. Either of those last two will give you good results with some care, attention and aftermarket.

For 1/32, the choices are the 1960s Revell kit, and the Trumpeter from 2004.
blaster76
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Texas, United States
Joined: September 15, 2002
KitMaker: 8,985 posts
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Posted: Monday, August 07, 2017 - 07:44 PM UTC
48th sorry so academy is superior to ancient monogram..figured Hasegawa had to be.


What about spitfire Mk 1? Tamiya is usually pretty good...but if something else is noticably superior would go with that.
Tojo72
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North Carolina, United States
Joined: June 06, 2006
KitMaker: 4,691 posts
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Posted: Monday, August 07, 2017 - 08:40 PM UTC
Would love to see a new tooled P-38 in 1/48,surprised that Tamiya has avoided it.
BlackWidow
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European Union
Joined: August 09, 2009
KitMaker: 1,732 posts
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Posted: Monday, August 07, 2017 - 10:40 PM UTC
Steve, Tamiya is still No. 1 choice for a Spit Mk. I. But if you have time to wait, maybe Eduard might expand their Spitfire family. Their Mk. VIII/IX are top notch
Mortifa
#464
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British Columbia, Canada
Joined: December 02, 2016
KitMaker: 267 posts
AeroScale: 20 posts
Posted: Monday, August 07, 2017 - 11:10 PM UTC

Quoted Text

The best P-38 in 1/72 is the Academy kit from about 10 years ago. All the other options in this scale are from the 1960s and 1970s.

In 1/48, there's the ancient Monogram and the more recent Academy and Hasegawa kits. Either of those last two will give you good results with some care, attention and aftermarket.

For 1/32, the choices are the 1960s Revell kit, and the Trumpeter from 2004.


I am pleasantly surprized by this, but is there a specific Academy kit that is the best?

Also a little confused. Looking at some cockpits for the 1/48 academy P-38J and I noticed that there are either two cockpits or someone mislabeled one as the F and J look almost alike.
Jessie_C
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British Columbia, Canada
Joined: September 03, 2009
KitMaker: 6,965 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, August 08, 2017 - 09:07 AM UTC

Quoted Text

I am pleasantly surprized by this, but is there a specific Academy kit that is the best?


Any of them will be about the same; the moulds for all of them were cut at the same time, and many of the boxings have the same plastic in them anyway.


Quoted Text

Also a little confused. Looking at some cockpits for the 1/48 academy P-38J and I noticed that there are either two cockpits or someone mislabeled one as the F and J look almost alike.


The F has a 3/4-circle yoke, and the J has more of a spectacle shape. There are other minor differences, but it takes an expert or a Lightning pilot to spot them
Here's an F (with a few modern additions):

Here's a J:
Mortifa
#464
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British Columbia, Canada
Joined: December 02, 2016
KitMaker: 267 posts
AeroScale: 20 posts
Posted: Tuesday, August 08, 2017 - 10:03 AM UTC

Thank you.

Your search skills are much better than mine. I did spot a couple of differences so thank you. Need to buy the J cockpit.
Jessie_C
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British Columbia, Canada
Joined: September 03, 2009
KitMaker: 6,965 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, August 08, 2017 - 11:42 PM UTC

Quoted Text

48th sorry so academy is superior to ancient monogram..figured Hasegawa had to be.


Sorry for the late reply; I missed this at first

The Academy and the Hasegawa are pretty much equal, and each greatly superior to the old Revellogram beast.


Quoted Text

What about spitfire Mk 1? Tamiya is usually pretty good...but if something else is noticeably superior would go with that.


The new Airfix kit has a slightly better outline shape than the Tamiya, but again either one will give you and excellent model. In the end it comes down to price and availability in your market. Airfix' decals are slightly more friendly to use.
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