Hello, I just finished this one for the Thunderbolt 2016 Group Build as I cannot resist a Jug…ever. I figured I’d share it here. It’s the Tamiya kit in the 334th FG markings of 14-1/2 kill ace Kenneth Dahlberg. The 334th would go from the P-51 to the P-47, then back to the P-51 again. On December 19th, 1944, Dahlberg would down 4 Bf 109s in this plane.
The Tamiya Thunderbolt is perhaps the greatest plastic kit on the planet (my opinion). These are pure modeling bliss for me. If I could just build Tamiya Jugs and sell them for a living I would die happy. Too bad it comes out to about 12 bucks an hour…[:'(]
I used an Ultracast seat and wheels. I rigged the R-2800 too. The decals are Superscale (To include the backwards Swastika talley markings). I’ve seen this before, I wonder if it was done to mock the Germans. I added 500 pounders because the 334th were bombers first unless they got into trouble, at which time they would tangle accordingly. On the mission on the 19th, they were headed to the Battle of the Bulge as air support but they were bounced by 70 plus Bf 109s.
I had an issue with which prop to use. Superscale indicated this plane should have a Curtiss prop with the hub painted yellow. On “Dogfights” Dahlberg said his plane was fitted with the “new paddle prop” for better climb rate. I painted up both of them but ultimately went with the Hamilton Standard prop. I use Alclad Duraluminum for the NMF but kept weathering to a minimum as I dont think Dahlberg had this turkey for very long. I remember reading that they found the wreckage of this plane on a German farm back in 2010.
Autstanding work, as usual. But I see one thing that may need to be corrected? Pardon me, as I mean no disrespect, but it appears he is credited with 14 Finnish kills? That doesn’t seem likely. I think your kill markings are on, in reverse lol.
No disrepect intended. The model is absolutely gorgeous and I can only drool over the finish on it. Once again, you’ve crafted a stunning model, Joe. That prop hub alone looks like it’s crome plated. Something I still haven’t figured out how to do right.
No worries Mike. That’s what this forum is for. Perhaps you missed it but I addressed that in the description. “The decals are Superscale (To include the backwards Swastika talley markings). I’ve seen this before, I wonder if it was done to mock the Germans.” They are like that on all the profiles I’ve seen of this particular plane. I’ve also seen it on others, to include the Jasper Joker Mustang I recently built (below…see canopy frame), so I think it’s intentional.
Sorry Johnny I missed your question. I was going back to see what threads Photobucket restored and saw it…lol. On canopies I use Novus plastic cleaner on a Q-tip. It’s one of the last things I do in the build. It works pretty well for me.
