From a P-38 J Lightning to a F-5B

Late 70's and early 80's have been the 1 /32 kit's golden age. There were a lot of different models with movables parts which make them really attractive when I was a child. At this time, I was only able to buy 1/72 and dreamed of these big models. In Europe now, these models are now, pretty much reached (and some of are collectors), but needs a huge work to increase their accuracy.

I will not make a review on the Revell's kit, Rogerio "Rato" Marczak, has made a good one, on LSP. However, as many past Revell's 1/32, if the general shape is rather good and need re-engraving , details are often poor. To me, the canopy is an essential part of a kit, its transparency and shape get noticed at the first look. That was the first part I decided to create, after checking some 1/32 drawings and details & Scale books. I made it a 5 parts canopy (like the real one), the cockpit is inaccurate and most of his equipment is false or not represented. The Details & Scales about P-38 has many interiors photos that will help for the detailing. The goal of this conversion is to keep the less parts from the model. The F5-B was a P-38J with a camera nose, so most of the parts I create for this conversion would be used for P-38. During this part's process, I make parts for the J model (which I planned to build one also), and adapt them for the F5-B.

With all the resin parts installed, the model is quite heavy and the landing-gear must be strong enough to resist. The bay's area is quite full of details and are very difficult to represent with resin, I tried to create them with thin Evergreen (I had 2 or 3 big sheets), but the "bay" curl when insert in the boom, so I decided to make it with cramming Polyester putty into and carve the bays. This solution was at last delusive, furthermore I had to dismantle the boom parts from wing (and ruined the sanding of this parts). Finally I choose to use 3mm thickness Evergreen, and fixed the strength problems I had. The main bays are finished and recovered with adhesive aluminium (for riveting representation), the hatches operating mechanism are made with Evergreen, toothpicks and aluminium foil. I cast each to check the details reproduction, modify some of it, then after some corrections, I had the definitive masters for the bays parts.

I haven't represented most of the tubing & wires (in fact all those which are not flattened to the surfaces). The wires will be installed on resin parts later. I've spent 12 days working on this parts and I must say that I didn't enjoy it, but it was last heavy "update" for this model. I used 2mm thick lead-wiring for the silver duct running into the bay;) The wheels are made with evergreen and Putty which I carved, I've added the interior's details and the valve.

The wing's fitting is below the average and align them with the boom is pretty hard, furthermore, the flaps must be refined (I've planned to make some separated parts, for the P38L version I have on my building schedule).

I make the wing fairings with milliput and aluminium foil, it was a heavy work, but essential for the model accuracy. It"s a pity that I have not succeed to make it removable so I can create moulds for this parts production.

Wing's reservoir-caps are from resin parts.

The motor's area needs a detailed re-engraving to represent the riveting, it was a long work and I had to make it twice. Because of that, I decided to modify the motors parts I've created previously, and added the all panels which have rivets. Some panels were replaced with aluminium foil and engraved with a needle. The two air scoops forward the super-charger are crude and 2 resin parts will replace them for a better result.

I carve the landing-light pit, recovered the surface with adhesive aluminium and added a clear sprue .

The 3 colors light under the fuselage are created, with the same technique.

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