Hobby 2000 1/48 Lockheed P-38J Lightning ETO 1944

[Makem666]

Its been a while since I've done a new build, and I've been wanting to replace my Tamiya P-38 for a while now as it was damaged (don't ask) and I wasn't happy with the finish on it anyway, so I decided to give this one a chance to see how this build compares to the easily one of the best kits out there.

 

I'll keep this short and just point out a few key things.

 

Build quality wasn't too bad 8/10 didn't need to use any filler, all components fitted together nicely with minimal sanding. However the fit was somewhat basic, there were a lot of components that you basically just but-up against each other and hold in place until the glue dries. 

 

Overall detail wasn't quite there, certainly not compared to the Tamiya kits I'll give it 6/10. Cockpit was sparse, there were was enough to define it as a p-38 but overall nothing stood out.

 

Decals were clear and well printed, no complaints and had everything you needed for both finishes, 10/10

 

Instructions were clear and precise although, I had to be careful as there were a lot of left over components which were for a different model which were slightly different, 9/10 - I believe this kit is a re-boxing of the Academy one?

 

In conclusion its not a bad build, I've certainly done worse. Its cheap and cheerful if you want to fill in your collection...for £25 you cant go wrong. Cant compare to the Tamiya kit which is on a different level to this one but costing more than twice its not cheap and that without any etched or resin extras. Get this to fill in the gap, get the Tamiya if you want a centrepiece.

 

let me know what you think, finish came out well...gave the invasion stripes that painted by hand look it would have had (they weren't supposed to be neat)

 

BTW can anyone recommend a good basic yellow for air brushing, I'm using Vallejo paints and they are practically translucent...ended up applying about 10 coats!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[colin]

Well you made a lovely job from a not to well designed kit.

Pity about your Tamiya one, but as with their new releases they are setting the standard for ease of build nowadays 

[Wlad]

3 hours ago, Makem666 said:

BTW can anyone recommend a good basic yellow for air brushing, I'm using Vallejo paints and they are practically translucent...ended up applying about 10 coats!

Nice P-38 @Makem666. As for yellow, I use Tamiya acrylic with a little red to give it a richer tone. I find three coats on a white, or grey primer, background is sufficient.

[georgeusa]

Lovely P-38.  I have found if I don't use a white primer for any yellow color I choose, be it enamel or acrylic, the results are always disappointing.  I very good, bright white primer is key for having the yellow show correctly. But, you did a great job with your build and finish of the P-38.  Thanks for sharing.

[Makem666]

Thanks for the advice guys, I've tried a few different primers, guess it comes down to a bit of trial an error.

[bapowell]

Sweet work on this P-38. I really like the hand-painted invasion stripes.  Very authentic-looking!  

[ilj]

bravo!

[stevej60]

Cracking job all round!

[kapam]

Looks great!  So good that the kit brand becomes irrelevant!

My experience is similar to @georgeusa when it comes to yellow.

I prime with Tamiya’s white primer before applying the yellow colour.

Anyway, brilliant P-38!

👍👍👏👏

[Red Dog]

Nice job. 👍Very appealing scheme.

Have to agree with others here - prime with white before laying down yellow or any light colours.

I'll even put down white before red. One layer of white and one layer of yellow is better than three layers of just yellow.

 

[F-32]

Lovely Lightning, quality work