Uncarina

And a few more:

 

 

 

This is the Canadian Leopard C-2 Mexas call sign 12B, the dozer-equipped tank for 2nd Troop, A-Squadron Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians), 78-58132 commanded by Sergeant Anthony Sewards in Afghanistan. I used the following:

--Meng 1/35 Leopard C-2 Mexas w/ Dozer Blade
--Meng 1/35 Sand-Proof Canvas Cover
--Echelon 1/35 Leopard C2A1 Mexas 2nd troop decals
--Karaya Leopard 1 copper tow cables
--Legend 1/35 C-2 Mexas update set
--Legend 1/35 C-2 Mexas stowage set
--Leopard Workshop 1/35 C-2 Mexas main gun
--Leopard Workshop 1/32 C-2 Mexas antennas
--R Create Miracie (no typo) 1/35 Leopard metal tracks

I really enjoyed this build--the Meng kit has great detail, fit, and engineering, the aftermarket thermal cover fitted well overall, and the other aftermarket I listed above really added to the build. I used a custom blend of Tamiya  and AK Interactive paint, weathered with oils and pastels. Hope you like it!
 
Cheers, Tom
 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks Brett! It is an early version of the Barracuda thermal covering adopted by the Canadian Leopard II’s in Afghanistan.
 
Cheers,  Tom

If they’re going to go there, hopefully WNW will release Christiansen’s W.29. 

The Snipe is really a fun build! I built mine as Barker’s aircraft, and am glad WNW decided to follow my lead!
 
Cheers,  Tom

Thanks guys.  What Wally and I are finding is that despite the fact that Lockheed built over 10,000 P-38s, and that production spanned from before WWII started until the day it ended, and that the P-38 served in every theater of operations the US was involved in, and that three of the top ten highest scoring US aces flew it, a HUGE percentage of what's been written, both in the general aviation history literature and "technical" literature (ie: Detail & Scale, etc) about the Lighting is incomplete and/or just plain wrong.  
 
What I've discovered, beyond a shadow of a doubt, is that all P-38s up through the P-38F-5-LO had the side-opening top canopy.  I've heard and read that only the first few, or only the first 100 or so F's had it - factually not true.  Photos prove it.  
 
All P-38Hs had the larger teardrop shaped supercharger intakes of the J/L/M.  Literature is all over the map on this.  Again, photos prove it.
 
The P-38H-5-LO was a unique variant.  The aft canopy section on the H-5-LO (and only the H-5-LO) was a one-piece seamless piece of plexiglass.  I don't know why, but on subsequent batches of H's and on all J/L/M's, it was made in two halves (left/right) with a metal frame down the center.  On earlier variants it was made up of three pieces in a forward, middle, and aft configuration.  Again, photos prove it, and the literature is all in disagreement on this.
 
Ditto on the ring & bead sight.  Not mentioned anywhere, ever (that I can find) in any literature on the P-38.  
 
 

Also no clue about the reason behind the ring-and-bead sights, but they were definitely there. In fact, Miss Virginia (the plane credited with downing Yamamoto's Betty and the main decal option in Tamiya's new kit) had it too.

 

 
Here's a pic of a cockpit (F? G? H?) with the ring sight installed next to the optical sight. As you can see, the bead itself would have to placed left of the plane's centerline in order to line up with the ring, much like the earlier -51's and -47's.

 
So definitely a thing, but I don't know nearly enough about the -38 (more like next to naught) to comment on why.
 
On another note, very cool sheet, Jennings! I like The Japanese Sandman the best, amazing font is amazing. I was trawling thru my Lightning folder for pics of bead sights and ran across The Japanese Sandman II, which also features pretty unique and awesome artwork (no bead sight, though). Check out the tiny Rising Sun flags within the letters themselves, no idea if Lt. R.E. Smith was also the pilot of TJS I but if he was he sure had a good eye for art. Perhaps a worthy candidate for inclusion in the sheet?

 

The first two on the top left are, but wait ‘till you see the other one we’ve got!  Puts those two to shame

If and when they bump it up to 1/32, we’ll be ready!

BTW, here's what I have done so far.  About this many more to go...  We've got some hum-dingers!
 

Is there a thread for this? Just discovered these at WNW website.  
 
November releases.
 
http://www.wingnutwings.com/ww/product?productid=3208
 
http://www.wingnutwings.com/ww/product?productid=3209

Very nicely built and weathered! I don't think I can recall ever seeing a canvas cover on a modern tank, definitely adds visually.

Brilliant work Tom, really like what you have done with this one.
 
Regards. Andy

This is the Canadian Leopard C-2 Mexas call sign 12B, the dozer-equipped tank for 2nd Troop, A-Squadron Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians), 78-58132 commanded by Sergeant Anthony Sewards in Afghanistan. I used the following:

--Meng 1/35 Leopard C-2 Mexas w/ Dozer Blade
--Meng 1/35 Sand-Proof Canvas Cover
--Echelon 1/35 Leopard C2A1 Mexas 2nd troop decals
--Karaya Leopard 1 copper tow cables
--Legend 1/35 C-2 Mexas update set
--Legend 1/35 C-2 Mexas stowage set
--Leopard Workshop 1/35 C-2 Mexas main gun
--Leopard Workshop 1/32 C-2 Mexas antennas
--R Create Miracie (no typo) 1/35 Leopard metal tracks

I really enjoyed this build--the Meng kit has great detail, fit, and engineering, the aftermarket thermal cover fitted well overall, and the other aftermarket I listed above really added to the build. I used a custom blend of Tamiya  and AK Interactive paint, weathered with oils and pastels. Hope you like it!
 
Cheers, Tom
 

 

 

 

 

 

And a few more:

 

 

 

That's excellent, Tom!  Were the folded-up cots part of the stowage set?

And a few more:

 

 

 

And a few more:

 

 

 

Tom... thanks for the link.

Kensar,
 
Will do. I first learned about them from Mike Norris’s (AKA Sandbagger) Camel build: http://igavh2.xara.hosting/#xl_xr_page_index
 
Cheers,  Tom

Probably Fs and Gs.  But AFAIK there is documentation on which specific aircraft he flew.  He did have an F4U-1A (#000) that he apparently flew when he was in the SWPA, but he didn't spend a lot of time with the P-38 guys.

I am currently working on a new Emerson turret for this kit, to replace the old set I had been selling. I'm trying to make these as easy as possible for you guys. I'm taking some inspiration from Bill Koster and they way he solved the problem of the parts seam running over the top of the Monogram 1/48 B-24 turrets. I'm working on a three clear pieces ( Left and right sides with wind deflectors, and a center) that follow the actual two joints used in the real turrets. But I will be adding two inside resin formers that will make combining all three parts easier. I'll post pictures when I have all the parts ready. The one piece vac formed Emerson has become hit or miss for producing. It is a time consuming process that involves freezing before extracting the die. The failure rates were unsustainable , and I discontinued sales. 
 

Monogram Close Up Me 262 Link

Tom, I am interested in hearing how the acrylic 'oil' paints work.  Do post about the results you get - how the final results look and how long it takes to dry.

Jennings,
 
I will definitely be picking up a set of these decals, and am looking forward to seeing the options you decide on. As an aside, which P-38 version did Charles Lindbergh fly?
 
Thanks,  Tom