RAF P-38 / Lightning Mk XIV (finished)

[Oldbaldguy]

This project makes so much sense that you have to wonder why they didn’t give it a try back in the day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 22, 2024 by Oldbaldguy
I think, therefor I yam.

[wingman777]

 

[wingman777]

[wingman777]

Sanding, did I mention there would be sanding?  Lots of C/A, accelerator, Milliput and sanding.  

[wingman777]

[wingman777]

Ya gotta stay flexible and be creative.  The two sheets of styrene I had were either too thick or too thin, so I grabbed this old For Sale sign and it was just right.  I've also decided to change out the four .50 caliber Brownings for 20 mm Hispano cannons.  The Westland Whirlwind was the first twin engine, single seat fighter for the Brits and I'm seeing similarities between it and what this aircraft could've, should've, would've been like.

[Alain Gadbois]

With the new engines and lowered kit nacelles to fit, this Lightning is going to look very sleek!

 

[wingman777]

[wingman777]

Got both Merlins seated and "Frenched In".  I've sanded the entire kit with the hundreds of oversized blisters (rivets) and just blending the mismatch panels.  It should start to progress fairly quick from here.  The protrusion from the nose is one of the fishing, pyramid weights sticking out.

[wingman777]

[BradG]

Great work so far mate, it really looking different.

[Oldbaldguy]

Shame you don’t have two sets of props.  Give it counter rotating propellers a la griffon powered spits.

[DugyB]

Hope you jigged those nacelles, otherwise this critter will be wanting to porpoise up and down, and all over the sky…. 

[wingman777]

No jig, I'm using the TLAR method of alignment and measurement.  TLAR is universal for "That Looks About Right".  As mentioned earlier, this is not going to be one of those award-winning, spectacular builds that many of you seasoned builders have impressed us with.  I'm just producing a down and dirty prototype to give us all an idea of what it would likely have looked like if the Brits would've received the P-38 / Lightning Mk I and given it the same treatment as it did the P-51A or Mustang Mk I.  The next images will show the progress of cutting down the lower turtle deck of the fuselage pod so that it will receive the P-51D bubbletop canopy.  This will improve visibility and allow for an easier way for the pilot to enter and exit the aircraft.  Also, I'm going to switch the prop pitch on one of the engines so that they will be counter-rotating.

[wingman777]