Revell 1/48 P-47D Thunderbolt - Salvage Job

[oortiz10]

Hey gang,

I'm coming at you with something I've never tried before. The other day, my wife was walking her dog and ran across a yard sale that was selling some kits. Spending $2, she was able to get me a Monogram A-4 and Skyraider, two started Testors SR-71s, and one started Revellogram Razorback. The Skyhawk and Skyraider are complete but without decals or instructions. The Blackbirds are started and appear complete, but are missing the instructions. The Thunderbolt is started, but missing its instructions, decals, and the tailwheel. Also, the guns' blast tubes and radio mast are broken off. As something to distract me from the Hasegawa AH-64D slog I'm currently involved with, I thought I'd try to salvage the Thunderbolt.

It came loose, in a box filled with parts for the two Blackbirds.








I was able to get the parts sorted, and like I said, it appears that only the tailwheel is the only missing part besides the broken blast tubes and antenna.





I think the prop is from a different kit because the plastic seems to be different, and it doesn't fit on the prop shaft. It's really not going to make a difference. I won't be going for 100% accuracy with this build.

The canopy was attached and unfortunately had a glue smear on the inner surface. Also, the panels behind the pilot were painted. I thought about prying off the canopy to repair the mar and repaint the panels, but I decided against it. I didn't want to risk damaging the clear parts. Since I'm just going to be using this kit as an opportunity to practice some building and painting techniques, I figured trying to repaint or match the panels wasn't worth it, either. So, with that, I cleaned up the seams, masked the canopy, and sanded off Revellogram's infamous raised copyright "stamp."














To check my work, the parts got primed in Mr. Surfacer 1500 black. I noticed that some panel lines were sanded off during construction, but I'm not going to worry about them.




After that, I started with the upper surface color of OD. After that dries, I'll do the NG undersides.








Anyway, this is where I'm at with this. I'll be going back and forth between my Apache and this project. Since this is more of a "practice kit," I expect this one to go pretty fast. Still, comments, questions, and criticisms are welcome. Feel free to drop you two cents into the bucket on your way out. 

Thanks for lookin'. Stay tuned!

-O

[keavdog]

Great progress on this rescue

[kyledehart5]

Looking good so far. Always fun to see a salvage job. This was my very first airplane I ever built and no doubt I should try to salvage my own. Lol. Looking forward to seeing more!

[buddho]

Looking really good.

[oortiz10]

OK gang, I had some free time this morning, so I got some more paint splashed on my T-Bolt. 

I spent some time playing with the paint on the topside. I want to depict a used-but-not-abused airframe, so I want the paint to look worn. I think I'm on my way...





I'll do some more weathering after decals.

I was also able to get the bottom painted up, too. Again, more weathering will follow, but I think it's a good start.








So, this is where I'm at with this. There might be a pause in my projects while I wait for the postman to deliver some stuff I ordered. In the meantime, comments, questions, and criticisms are welcome. Feel free to drop you two cents into the bucket on your way out.



Thanks for the support and encouragement. 

Stay tuned!
-O 

[project510]

Nice haul for $2, and it looks like you will turn what was most likely future trash, into something very cool!

[jeaton01]

Cheap fun, except for the cost of the paint. I try not to think about that too much! Looks good, Omar.

[TJ]

O I know the work you can do. You'll turn this pile of parts into something special

[handiabled]

Nice! I really like the modulated paint work you put on this

[brandonk]

What an amazing score! I would have paid at least $4 for all that. Goodness I do love finding things like this at yard sales. It's like finding treasures AND testing your skills at the same time. Great work on the rescue.

[oortiz10]

Wow! Thanks for the great response, MSC. I didn't think a cheapy practice kit would attract so much attention. I appreciate all the feedback!

So, like I mentioned, this is a practice kit. I figured that this project would be a great opportunity to work on my painting skills. So far, it's been fun trying a few different things with the airbrush. Let me show you where I'm at...

I got the QIM markings painted onto the tail and cowling. The engine is just dry-fitted at the moment.








While I had the white paint out, I got a little carried away...








And, just for the sake of trying something different...








So, whatcha think? If it's not obvious, I was going for the over-painted invasion stripes. I think I got pretty close. Tell me what you think. I'm interested in hearing your thoughts. As usual, comments, questions, and criticisms are welcome. Feel free to drop you two cents into the bucket on your way out.

Thanks for stopping by. I look forward to your feedback.

Cheers,
-O

[stikpusher]

Getting better and better! 👍🏼

[handiabled]

Looks great! Nice to have the freedom to see how it goes with painting.

[jeaton01]

Nice effect, Omar. I would expect less mottling on the overpainted areas due to so many layers of paint, but what do I know

[oortiz10]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I appreciate the comments.

John, I was basing my efforts on some photos I saw of A-20s with (what I thought were) over painted stripes...







...but looking at the photos again, it may be that the stripes on the wings are worn off, not painted over. That may be the reason for the mottling. While reconsidering my effort, I ran across a pair of photos that show that you're correct. The paint coverage was a little more uniform, with just a hint of  the stripes still showing through.








To my eye, the "mottling" is still there, but maybe not as pronounced as mine. I'm thinking I may go back and tone mine down a bit. Even it out a little more. Then, I can go back and weather some wear onto it all.

As you know, comments, questions, and criticisms are welcome. I appreciate the feedback. It gives me an opportunity to learn and broaden my horizons. Feel free to drop you two cents into the bucket on your way out.

Cheers!
-O

[oortiz10]

Hey gang, just a little progress to share on my salvage Thunderbolt.



First, I processed all of the feedback I got about my attempt at replicating the look of overpainted invasion stripes. After taking a couple of days and returning to look at things with "fresh eyes," I decided that my first attempt wasn't good enough. So, I went back and tried again. I think this second effort is closer to representing the look of the real thing.





I also got all the the other bits and pieces painted, and in some cases, glossed and decaled.






I also had a little fun with some nose art. The "Babe" markings I found in my decal spares' drawer while I was looking for markings for the airframe. As you can see, I've applied some decals to the kit. I didn't use a lot of stencils because I really wanted to focus more on the paint. The heart for the nose art is painted on using a free-handed stencil cut from tape, then trimmed with white decal strips.








I'll start on some more weathering before final assembly. Oh, and speaking of final assemblies, I found some stuff in my spares box that I'll hang from the underside. 





I honestly have no idea what kit these parts came from, but they're better than the stuff that was in the Revellogram box. Besides the loadout, the last things I will need to source are some gun barrels (plastic rod), a radio mast (my spares box or scratched), and a tail wheel. The latter will probably be the hardest thing to find.

Anyway, that's where I'm at. I really appreciate the feedback on the stripes. Again, comments, questions, and criticisms are welcome. Feel free to drop you two cents into the bucket on your way out.



Thanks for lookin'. 

Cheers,
-O

[406 Silverado]

WOW Omar. Your painting skills are to be admired on this one. The last attempt at painting over the invasion stripes really makes it look the part and you're doing a bang-up job on putting this one together. All for 2 bucks too!! 

[kyledehart5]

I have to agree with Joe!! Really awesome paint work. I'm loving it.

[handiabled]

Outstanding work on the paint work! Looks a far cry from a "salvage job " with the way you have it looking

[deafpanzer]

I have learned so much following your build especially the covering the invasion stripes part!!! Everything looks great too.

[stikpusher]

Looking really good O! I love how you've taken this secondhand distressed kit and brought it back even better than before!

[oortiz10]

OK fellow plastic mashers, I have some progress to share on my Jug. First, let me say thanks for all the kind words and pats on the back. Your feedback works to keep me motivated. Much appreciated!

Now, let's see what I've been able to get done...

I was able to get the things-under-the-wings-done. I figured out that the tank and bazooka tubes came from a Hasegawa Jug I built some time ago. Who knows where the 500 pounders came from.











I also did some more weathering. I needed to tie the decals in to the rest of the build, and I also wanted the airframe to look used. I tried a few new techniques on this one. Well, new to me, at least.














I'm pretty happy with the way things turned out.

In that last photo, you can see that some of the fiddly bits are starting to go on. I stole some blast tubes from one of my Tamiya Jugs. I'm planning on buying some aftermarket tubes for it, so it works out. Their alignment and placement isn't perfect, but I did what I could, considering they were broken off when I got the kit. I also found that the retraction struts for the gear doors were missing from the kit. I found a pair in the spares box and modified them to fit. 





Another thing that was broken off was the kit's pitot tube. I didn't notice it at first, but realized I had to replace it. I just "sharpened" the end of a piece of styrene rod and glued on a small styrene triangle. It'll look the part under paint and installed.





I still need to make a radio mast and find a tail wheel. Everything else is ready to go on.

So, this is where I'm at with this one. It's getting close to being done! Of course, comments, questions, and criticisms are welcome. Feel free to drop you two cents into the bucket on your way out.


Stay tuned!

-O

[stikpusher]

[deafpanzer]

Thats in ASL which is my primary language... it means I LOVE IT so much!

[oortiz10]

OK gang, this is my last WIP post. I was able to get over the final hurdles and finish this one up.

First, I  had to fix a small boo-boo with the bazooka tubes. I accidentally broke off one of the mounting pins. A piece of fine wire to the rescue!




Under paint and installed, it isn't even noticeable. But that wasn't the worst of it. I had to figure out how to source a tailwheel. As it turns out, I built this same boxing as Little Chief a few years back. Luckily for me, I was able to wiggle the tailwheel loose. I decided to use this as an opportunity to cast my first ever resin replacement part. A while back, my wife bought me a complete casting kit, but I had never used it...until yesterday.

I glued the master to a piece of resin block that I had (luckily) sitting around.




Then I went ahead and jumped into the process.










And luckily for me, it worked out well enough.




I made a couple of mistakes with process, but I'm satisfied with my first effort. Painted, weathered, and installed, it looks good enough.




So, with that, this one's done! There are photos of the finished product in the completed build forum. You can use the link below. For now, here's a teaser:




You can see the completed build here: Revell 1/48 P-47D Thunderbolt - Successful Salvage

The fork has been stuck in this one. Time to move on to a new project. I appreciate your feedback and motivation along the way. Please take a look at the finished photos. Again, comments, questions, and criticisms are welcome. Feel free to drop you two cents into the bucket on your way out.



Thanks for stickin' with me!
-O