Rutman P-38 early conversion update

[BiggTim]

I've had quite a few people ask how this project is coming along, so I thought I'd give you a quick update. I was too busy to progress it much until the cold weather hit, but I've been able to make some significant progress over the holiday break and since. 

 

The primary reason this is so difficult is that Jerry originally made his conversion to fit the old Revell kit, not the newer Trumpeter one. While it could be used with the Trumpy kit, it took a lot of work because the parts just don't fit well. 

 

I have both the Trumpy kit and the Revell, and have been going back and forth trying to decide what needs to be fixed, and I have come to this conclusion: I will be making two separate conversions - one that is very faithful to Jerry's original version (with some updates) in case anyone wants to use one of the old Revell kits , and another that is optimized for the newer Trumpy kit. 

 

Along with both of these, I have also done some preliminary work to remaster Jerry's F-4 photo recon conversion for both kits, as it uses many of the same early conversion parts. I'm also planning to remaster the F-5 conversion and the P-38M conversions for the Trumpy kit. I have made some progress on all of those as well, though not as much. 

 

I will post some photos as soon as I have a chance, and thanks for the continued interest.

 

Tim

 

Edited January 12 by BiggTim

[Dave Williams]

P-38 F/G/H conversion.  Nice!

[Modelboy]

I want this. 

[BiggTim]

Stay tuned, I'm doing my best to get it ready to go sometime in July. 

[csavaglio]

Tim, do you have a kit on hand to test the fit? I can't remember which conversion I had a few years ago, but the shrinkage made it not worth using cause of the extra work. Using older resin parts as masters for new resin may have shrinkage add up. 

 

Are you gonna do the early canopy? 

 

Looking forward to it 

 

C

Edited June 11, 2025 by csavaglio

[BiggTim]

55 minutes ago, csavaglio said:

Tim, do you have a kit on hand to test the fit? I can't remember which conversion I had a few years ago, but the shrinkage made it not worth using cause I'd thr extra work. Using older resin parts as masters for new resin may have shrinkage add up. 

 

Are you gonna do the early canopy? 

 

Looking forward to it 

 

C

I have 3 or 4 of the Trumpeter kits on hand, so yes, I have been checking fit, and I plan to vac-form the front canopy, too, just as Jerry/GMF did. 

[csavaglio]

Awesome, I figured you'd do it right.

[gaddied]

YES !!!

[csavaglio]

Of course, put me down for a set whenever it's ready, Tim. Can't wait! 

[Aerophile]

Yes!!!  So good to see! I’m gonna be in for at least a couple sets of these. 
Let us know when you’re ready for orders Tim

[dodgem37]

Wouldn't mind you putting me down for a set as well.

 

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Mark

[Martinnfb]

Thank you Tim. Now we just need to find a decent decal set. 

[csavaglio]

10 hours ago, Martinnfb said:

Thank you Tim. Now we just need to find a decent decal set. 

Kagero did some in their profile books if you can find them.  Part 1 Lightnings at War has an E and G. Part 2 has a G, all three are interesting. 

 

The recent Zotz Jerry Johnson sheet has a F and H on it too.

 

Each of the print scale sheets has an early p-38 on them too.

 

Not spoiled for choice, but some out there. 

 

 

[Aptivaboy]

I want! I had the Rutman conversion but it went MIA in a move. Are you planning on doing a recon conversion? 

[reconspit]

…any news on this matter….?