I’ve been trying to find an Academy 1/72 P-38J or L to no avail. I’ve read these were the best 1/72 scale P38s on the market, but they seem to have disappeared rapidly from the marketplace since 2012. Anybody know why? Anybody know where one can be found for a reasonable price?
VR, Russ

There is one on Ebay:

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/1-72-Academy-P-38JLightning-Pacific-Thater-Kit-2209/233487902534?hash=item365cf6a746:g:vrYAAOSwYABePOHw

Yep, won’t ship to the US though. This is the first one I’ve seen on Ebay or anywhere else in a while, the last one was $59! I’m trying to figure out why these things are so “rare” and so expensive— it’s not in the Academy catalog anymore which means it must be OOP so I can see a bit of a price gouge, but I don’t even see any for sale— except this one (although this is a good price).
VR Russ

You could contact the seller and see if he will ship to you in the USA.
The price is certainly interesting.
Cheers,

Yes, but if you read the fine print, the kit is opened, already started, and by the time I pay for shipping (which is no doubt the issue to get it to the US, it would likely be near $49! what I don't understand is why these kit just disappeared off the market-- I used to work in a shop that was an Academy distributor, and I realize kits go OOP, but this one didn't see "much light of day" at all it seems. wonder what happened.
VR, Russ

Perhaps you can find the MPM rebox

https://www.scalemates.com/kits/academy-12405-p-38j-lightning-european-theater--107303

Yes, thanks for pointing that out, but I had a look for it under the MPM label and there was no luck there either. Is that what happened to this great little kit? MPM bought the molds? My experience is MPM kits are short run (part of Special Hobby). Maybe that’s why this kit has disappeared from view. Are the dies sitting on some long neglected shelf gathering dust someplace? Last issue MPM made looks like 2016.
VR, Russ

Italeri are re-boxing the Academy kit, should be available some time this month.

https://www.italeri.com/en/product/2939

Thanks! I’ll be on the lookout for it!
VR, Russ

Just checked LuckyModels. They have it avail for pre-order

https://www.luckymodel.com/scale.aspx?item_no=IT%201446

Also checked ScaleMates and it has direct lineage from the Academy kits.

https://www.scalemates.com/kits/italeri-1446-p-38j-lightning--1315830


Cheers