1/48 Tamiya P-38J

[tucohoward]

Currently have a few things going and this is one them. I have previously built a couple of the F/G kits and loved it and had been anxiously awaiting the J. Maybe my favorite kits ever. Probably between these and the Tamiya Tomcats. If you haven't built either of these you should do yourself a favor. Also been wanting to do a NMF plane for a while so this works and hopefully works out I've played around it with here and there so am fairly optimistic. We'll see. 

I'm a big rivet guy so on the second of the two previous builds I used the HGW rivet decals and liked them. Very subtle and on an OD finish gives you a great effect when lightly sanded. The rivets are silver which I am sure was done just for that purpose. On a bare metal finish I'm not quite sure what I'm going to get. Bare metal tends to show up every little thing so hopefully I will get something for the effort. HGW says three hours but in reality it takes much longer as you can't apply all the panels at once because of the overlap of the carrier film. They also recommend waiting 6-8 hours to remove the film. I applied them over black Mr. Surfacer 1500. Happens to be my normal primer but I would recommend a dark color as a base so you can see where they are going. I also used a light gray panel line wash first this time. The first time it was very difficult to see them to get accurate alignment of the decal panels. Pretty much done other than a few lines of rivets here and there. The last picture of the front gear door is what it looks like before you remove the carrier film.

Eduard instrument panel because I didn't get the Quinta set in time. I have it now and I do have another of these in the stash so that will be next time. I love the Quinta stuff. Very highly recommended.

Cheers,
Jay

[kyledehart5]

Astonishing work!! Really great stuff

[deafpanzer]

Holy smokes!!! Amazing work on the rivets and the cockpit looks super too!

[Joe Rix]

Whoa! That is some righteous effort there. Fabulous cockpit. How long did it take you to lay down all of those rivets? I have all 3 of the Tamiya P-38 models in my stash and I really need to dig into one of them.

[406 Silverado]

I've heard alot of good things about these kits Jay. The detailing of the kit itself is evident and then there's what YOU added to the mix. We've got a fella here by the name of mz3 that has used these rivets on a Zero that he's working on with the same good results that you've got going on here.

I'm really looking forward to checking the other two you've got built out Jay.


BTW.....good to see you again bro.

[Medicman71]

Wow! It looks awesome!

[buddho]

This is incredible...the cockpit is outstanding. Watching this one.

[paddy]

Really interesting, i have seen reports on this riveting but not seen it in use like this. now looking forward to see how it looks later in the build.
Thanks for sharing .

[handiabled]

Fantastic work! I've used the HGW rivets before and they were great! I do have a few cockpit shots of a P38J if you need any. I snuck into it with the help of a museum's head maintenance man. Great having you here, it's been a while!

[tucohoward]

Thanks, fellows! Here are a few pics of a previous P-38 with the HGW rivets. Subtle for sure but I like the effect. What they will provide on a bare metal finish remains to be seen. Leaving for vacation on Saturday so don't think I will do any painting until I get back. Gives me ten days to overthink how I'm going to approach it haha. Handiabled, I appreciate the offer. I have a few more of these in the stash so I may need them in the future. I do envy your access to a real P-38!

Cheers,
Jay

[M1Carbine]

HOLY MOTHER OF GOD! The rivet decals look stunning Jay. I have to give this a shot on a future wingy build. Im tuned in.

[deafpanzer]

Loving it already especially the chipped away where foot traffic would have been! Have a great and safe vacation!

[kyledehart5]

Sept 7, 2023 16:24:06 GMT -5 tucohoward said:

Thanks, fellows! Here are a few pics of a previous P-38 with the HGW rivets. Subtle for sure but I like the effect. What they will provide on a bare metal finish remains to be seen. Leaving for vacation on Saturday so don't think I will do any painting until I get back. Gives me ten days to overthink how I'm going to approach it haha. Handiabled, I appreciate the offer. I have a few more of these in the stash so I may need them in the future. I do envy your access to a real P-38!

Cheers,
Jay

What a lovely P-38!

[406 Silverado]

tucohoward : Your completed P-38 looks dang good man. Did you use the hairspray method on the paint chipping Jay? Love all the details and weathering work on that one.

[tucohoward]

Thanks, guys! Yes hairspray on the wing walks, Joe, and then light sanding to bring out the rivets.

Jay

[keavdog]

So much detail! Following along - I've got the J in the stash so watching with interest. Don't think I'm up to the rivet decals but they do look sharp.

Nice work Tuco Benedicto Pacifico Juan Maria Ramirez

[406 Silverado]

Sept 8, 2023 10:17:14 GMT -5 tucohoward said:

Thanks, guys! Yes hairspray on the wing walks, Joe, and then light sanding to bring out the rivets.

Jay

Thanks Jay. Man it's really good having you (one of the "originals" from waaaay back in my beginning days on the forums) here. You remember that Messerschmitt 109 GB on FSM back in 2011/ 2012 doncha?

[handiabled]

Love the weathered walkways on this! I dig the paint worn off the rivets, I did the same on the last 109 I built using Micro Mesh to sand down to them.

[themongoose]

Meticulously done! Love the weathering as well.

[jeaton01]

Some of the most realistic rivet detail ever!

[tucohoward]

Well it's been a bit since I updated this one. There wasn't that much progress other than some paint but I have been wanting to get back it for some time. It usually sits on top of my spray booth so it's never out of mind. Don't know if the rivets are worth it on the bare metal but up close they do give the surface some texture. I've never finished a bare metal build before but I think this one will get there. I used MCW Bare Metal and MRP White Aluminum for the most part. Eduard decals and stencils. One thing I discovered was that the decal film, while removable on the new Eduard decals, really disappeared on the bare metal finish so no need. Still some things to do like landing gear, cockpit pit stuff, etc., but it's getting there.

Cheers,
Jay

[kyledehart5]

Looks outstanding!! I really need to get one of these on my shelf sometime.

[handiabled]

I love the NMF on this Jay!

[lyle]

Oh my...lovely work. That looks like a load of decal pieces!

[tucohoward]

Thanks, fellows! Been working away at this thing. Landing gear and wheels done and installed. Eduard Brassin wheels. Radio compartment and some other little things. Weathered the canopy and removed masks. Not a lot left.

Cheers,
Jay

[Steve Zuleski]

Fine build, I like it!

[lyle]

A beauty!

[stikpusher]

Feb 1, 2024 18:25:29 GMT -5 lyle said:

A beauty!

A beauty indeed!

[Joe Rix]

Absolutely gorgeous work on your P-38J Jay. Glad to see some updates as this is really something to behold.

[406 Silverado]

I really like all the work that you're putting into this one Jay but this:




THIS.....is next level stuff. I don't think there's a flaw ONE in that whole canopy painting. WOW!!