Gosh I have to spread the News… I just picked up the New 1/72 scale P 38 that Academy has released… The kit looks spot on… The cockpit clear parts are provided in open and closed positions and there are Bombs, droptanks, and Rocket tube options included… Fine recessed detail… Kit is much like their excellent JU 87 they released a while ago…
I am a P 38 fanatic and this kit looks to blow the poor fitting Dragon P 38 out of the water… Well worth it’s $ 24 price, To me anyway…
What version of the P-38 did you get? With rocket launchers sound like a J/L. What markings are included? Hopefully a mix of ETO, MTO and PTO.
I picked one up today at the LHS and I share butchy’s enthusiasm. It’s a J model with decals for 2 PTO birds. The decals appear to be the weakest part of the kit, but there are lots of aftermarket sheets available. The plastic looks excellent, very high quality moldings. I think Paul Boyer is doing a build review for next months FSM, so we can see what he thinks of it.
Can’t wait to get my hands on one.
IT looks like Academy has really been investing some effort into their 1/72 lineup. The P-38 has gotten great reviews. I was pretty impressed with the quality of the kit overall and plan to buy a second one.
In addition to the P-38, I would highly recommend their P-51 offerings. Their P-51C is incredible!
I’ll get one of these eventually but I’m crossing my fingers for their F-8! I’ll buy at least two.
The Crusader should be out shortly. If it’s as nice as the Lightning were in for a treat.
I just received their 1/48 P38. Looks pretty good to me. Didn’t really look at the decals cos this “E” I bought is gonna end up as an RAAF F-4-1! [:D]
I checked our LHS. It’s not yet available here. Guess I have to do some more waiting!
wish my hands and eyes could do this scale. Good luck!
I’m with plum1030 on this one. I will get the p-38 but I’m waiting for the crusader. [bow]
The F-8 Crusader has been released in Singapore. Take a look at the review here(April 17):
http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/
It looks pretty good, it outclass both the Hasegawa and Itateri kits.
How are their 1/48th P-38 kits? Anyone build one? Ive been meaning to get one of them but havent got around to it as of yet. Good luck on your build.
Okay, Academy is my favorite brand because they have a fantastic balance between quality and price… but i have to say that their decals absolutely suck. I dunno if anyone else has had the problem i have, but after a few hours, some of the decals sort of curl in on themselves, or simply refuse to stick! I use the Gunze Mr. Mark Softer, but to no avail… [sigh]
Iv’e had mixed results with Academy decals, but for the most part they do suck. Not a big problem for me, as I use aftermarket decals 90% of the time regardless of who makes the kit.
Thanks Anthony, I missed that review earlier. Now I really can’t wait for it. As far as the markings go, I have several Hasegawa kits that will be sacrificing their markings.
Whoa! I finally got my new Academy P-38. But wooo! The price is higher than that of Academy’s B-17E I got just early this year (local pricing? i don’t know).This kit does not belong anymore to that description of Academy kits as ‘highly detailed but low priced’. But it’s worth the wait. This looks like now the best P-38 model in 1/72. I can’t wait now start building.
Gee, sounds good! Most of my models are from Revell/Monogram stock…fairly decent in 1/72nd and standard stock in 1/48th…my favorite aircraft in any scale!!!
Academy is a little pricey for my budget, but I’ll keep an eye for it on Squadron & E-bay!!!
Got one in the mail today. Dry fit is OK. Looks like it’s going to be a fine addition to the shelf.