Tamiya P-38J "Marge" (#123)

[Edbert]

Is that a Bradley's on the bench too?

Yessir. I have a problem, with 6 kits in various stages of completion at a time. That is down from 9 having recently finished a Spitfire, a Corsair, and a Mig, but my ability to keep blaming the squirrels is fading.

 

[Si B]

Yessir. I have a problem, with 6 kits in various stages of completion at a time. That is down from 9 having recently finished a Spitfire, a Corsair, and a Mig, but my ability to keep blaming the squirrels is fading.

I wouldn't say that was a problem, I always have several on the go….keeps it interesting
I found your Bradley's blog so I'm off for a look through

 

[Rimmer]

Really nice looking build. I have this kit kicking around in the stash - I think I started painting up the cockpit about two years ago and kind of forgot about it - I really must pick it up again.

 

[Edbert]

This is three (very) thin coats of AK Extreme Metal, I think any more will not help. I am seeing some fluctuations that I intended like leading edge and ailerons, but other inconsistencies that I cannot explain, like what would be the wing-roots of a normal monoplane.



I'm wanting to apply the olive drab (anti-glare) parts, but playing it slow to decide if I need to address the inconsistent silver. Here are some better pics of what I mean.

Underside of starboard wingtip, there's an unevenness of the plastic that looks like tiny waves, hard to photograph. But the more obvious issue is towards the leading edge. Those look like finger-swipes, maybe with residual thinner or glue? However small, the silver/aluminum paint really makes it show.


That small circle is part of the molding, but the 5 or 6 "ticks" on the trailing edge are...who knows what I did there.

 

[Edbert]

Follow-up...

Would you do a gloss coat to protect the silver BEFORE applying olive drab and red wingtips?

Part of me thinks yes, the masking might alter the silver, even without a bleed.

But I'm always worried about too many layers.

EDIT: Clear coat applied

 

[Edbert]

Getting close to wrapping this one up.

Latest pics...

Those dee-kalz (evil grin) for seat belts look like ass in my F-4B, I'm afraid to put them in this kit.

 

[kevin]

Those dee-kalz (evil grin) for seat belts look like ass in my F-4B, I'm afraid to put them in this kit

I've made rifle slings for 1/35 figures out of strips cut from toothpaste tubes, maybe try that and add the dee- kalz over them?
The plane is looking real good.

 

[Edbert]

I recall toothpaste tubes in the 70s were metal, maybe lead? While that might explain some things about Gen-X, I think the newer ones are plastic. That is what you mean, the plastic toothpaste tubes? I'm willing to try.

Ironically these arrived today...


"Cloth" belts with metal components. I'm a little afraid, but those are 1/32, in 1/48 I think it might be beyond my fabrication skills. But, I'm willing to try!

 

[docsudy]

Getting close to wrapping this one up.

Latest pics...
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Those dee-kalz (evil grin) for seat belts look like ass in my F-4B, I'm afraid to put them in this kit.

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Nice job on Marge. You should be pleased.
Doc Sudy

 

[Jim62]

Nice build, looks great.

 

[Dminor9]

View attachment 121945

I did not know the gauges were off-center until hours later via the telephoto zoom. Not gonna try to fix it, too many coats of Micro-sol.

Damn old eyes!

Who is going to really notice that? I had to look twice myself just to see what you were talking about. I think it is fine. Looks good to me!

 

[TimM63]

Nice work on this. Love the paint job. I have found that a clear matte will cover some paint inconsistencies and help blend them together.