I felt that Monty Python’s immortal words were rather apt for this occasion. Those of you who know me realize that I build P-40s almost exclusively, so this is indeed something different for me.
This is the Promodeler (AKA Hasegawa) 1/48 P-38. I chose to build the plane a friend of mine named Jack Wilkes flew while assigned to the 37th FS/14th FG in North Africa during Autumn, 1943. The name on the nose, ‘Kay-kay,’ is for his wife, and the decals were provided by a source that requests anonymity. The drop tanks are finished but I’ve not attached them yet. I was unable to determine the plane number, so the number I chose (#80) is a WAG. Besides, it was my high school football number. Why not?
Thanks for looking, and I hope you enjoy the pictures as much as I did the build (which was six months in the making). As always, comments and constructive criticism are welcome.
Bravo, Mark! Will this “moonlighting” from the P-40’s continue? It’s nice to mix it up now and then. You did an outstanding job with the fading effect and overall paint job. What paints did you use? You’ll have to update the post once the drop tanks are on.
Tracy, Rick, Jon, Adam, Charles, Jarod: Thanks for the kind comments. They are much appreciated! Adam, those aren’t really cars but just a mirage…after all this is the North African desert![;)]
Charles, I used Model Master enamels, Faded OD and Neutral Grey. I saw another build (a P-40, of course!) in which the modeler used the Faded OD on the entire upper surfaces and really liked the look, so tried it on my P-38. And I’m currently working on another Warhawk, but am looking at an AM B-25 afterward.
Photoshop in some graininess to your photograph and it will look like the real aircraft. Take another picture at the same angle as the real one, and it will look like you photoshopped Lt. Wilkes out!
Karl, Aggieman, Antinice, Marc: Thanks for the feedback; much appreciated!
Adam, you know with mirages you see what you want to see, so if you want to see grass and trees, well…[:D]. Actually, you have good eyes. Yes, they are a Dodge Ram and a Buick, albeit a Century.
Antinice, thanks for the tip about Photoshop. I’ve not used it and, if I’m not mistaken, it needs to be purchased and isn’t something available for free off the Internet. I’ve heard it’s not cheap, so have a hard time justifying it just for photographs of my models. If I’m mistaken about the cost, someone let me know!
