trickyrich Posted July 14, 2015 Share Posted July 14, 2015 Hi all, I'd like to present the second of in a set of RAAF WWII aircraft I've built, this time a lesser know one. It is quite strange that they RAAF only operated 3 P-38 Lightnings during the war and they were of the Photo Recon variety (operated by 1PRU), they were loaned a few more by the USAAF. There is a bit of conjecture over whether the original 3 were Photo Recon F-4s or started life as P-38E’s which were modified either in the US or here in Australia. They operated from Mid 42 to late 44, with all 3 eventual being written off with one incident unfortunately resulting in the lost of the pilot. I built the last of the 3, A55-3, she started off life as a P-38E with the serial number 41-2144 (there was even for a while some conjecture as to if this serial number was actually correct), she was converted to F-4-1-LO either here in Australia or in the US. She served with 1PRU from 27Feb42 till she crashed due to undercarriage failure on the 10Dec43, the wreckage is now in the Darwin Aviation Museum. This build was part of the P-38 STGB, to which I was host. I was meant to have finished this in time, but as some people know I have a crazy work schedule and am away from home for long periods, so I missed my own deadline. The base for the build is a Academy 1/48th P-38F (which is not a nice kit at all as there are lots of errors), with a Red Roo resin PR conversion kit. Thrown into this mix are a new resin cockpit, wheels, turbo bits, and some PE. The paints are LifeColor acrylics from their RAAF WWII series...just love these paints. Please enjoy, included is a link to the build. http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234980483-raaf-f-4-1-lo-a55-3-1pru-1943-completed/ 27 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BerndM Posted July 14, 2015 Share Posted July 14, 2015 Excellent build and presentation, the Boomerang looks great too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russ c Posted July 14, 2015 Share Posted July 14, 2015 Really nice Lightning, looks great Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synopsis Posted July 14, 2015 Share Posted July 14, 2015 Great work, they look fantastic together Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antoine Posted July 14, 2015 Share Posted July 14, 2015 Very well done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graeme H Posted July 14, 2015 Share Posted July 14, 2015 Very nice job Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
batcode Posted July 14, 2015 Share Posted July 14, 2015 great looking p-38. very nice job on the scheme and finish... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billydick Posted July 14, 2015 Share Posted July 14, 2015 Wow - Impressive !!!! BillyD Ps any chance of a close up pic of the Boomerang ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noelh Posted July 14, 2015 Share Posted July 14, 2015 (edited) You truly learn something new every day. I had no idea the RAAF used Lightnings. A fine model too. Edited July 14, 2015 by noelh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyot Posted July 14, 2015 Share Posted July 14, 2015 Hiya Rich, I don`t normally comment on a model when they say `please enjoy' before the photos but in this case I certainly did so I just have to say how much I like your F-5 mate,.......the paintwork is immaculate so well done indeed and the Boomerang is excellent too, Cheers Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reini78 Posted July 14, 2015 Share Posted July 14, 2015 something you don´t see often, sweet work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-32 Posted July 14, 2015 Share Posted July 14, 2015 Very cool and unsual build Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trickyrich Posted July 14, 2015 Author Share Posted July 14, 2015 thanks for all the nice comments, it is a model I'm glad I built and is something a little bit different. Wow - Impressive !!!! BillyD Ps any chance of a close up pic of the Boomerang ? Just for you Billy...and anyone else interested. http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234973311-completed-raaf-cac-ca-13-boomerang-148-special-hobby/ 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orion Posted July 14, 2015 Share Posted July 14, 2015 Hello Rich, Interesting story and excellent build. Regards, Orion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pacificmustang Posted July 14, 2015 Share Posted July 14, 2015 Oh, well done tricky Great job, love it Bruce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troy Smith Posted July 15, 2015 Share Posted July 15, 2015 neat build Rich one point, the link to the build is just a link to this page, I was curious to see what was involved, and what errors the Academy kit has. cheers T Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stesca Posted July 15, 2015 Share Posted July 15, 2015 Superb, looks fantastic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trickyrich Posted July 15, 2015 Author Share Posted July 15, 2015 neat build Rich one point, the link to the build is just a link to this page, I was curious to see what was involved, and what errors the Academy kit has. cheers T Sorry about that I must have stuffed it up, is the correct link now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billydick Posted July 17, 2015 Share Posted July 17, 2015 Thanks for showing the Boomer Rich ... she's a little cracker.... BillyD Ps Just looking back at the WIP thread ... blimey there was some work gone into it !!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pastor Rich Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 (edited) Hi Rich! Forgive me for chiming-in late here but... There are some records available on these RAAF Lightning airframes -- all of which were F-4-1-LO from the 8th PRS if memory serves. I would hit my books to double check; but I believe that the RAAF was transferred these planes but they didn't last long in service. The photo-Lightning was in VERY short supply at this point in the war and the loss of any one ship was major! Photographic reconnaissance was key to victory and loss of fighting strength was more an enemy than the Japanese I would say. These planes were all purpose built at Lockheed (Burbank, California) as F-4-1-LO. Field mods to photo Lightning were not instituted until much later in the war. I likely have more data on them in my library and have connections in Australia with a researcher who's speciality is the Lightning in RAAF service. Great stuff and great builds! Pastor Rich "PR" Faulkner (a.k.a. Founder and Executive of the 34th PRS Online at http://www.34thprs.org ) Edited October 1, 2015 by Pastor Rich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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