So I became disgusted with my Monogram 1/48 P-38J Lightning, snapped off a wing and tossed into my garbage can. The fit was terrible, the detail poor and the cockpit was junk.
So…I have begun my quest for a new P-38. Squadron carries offerings by Academy and Hasegawa; which one have you guys/gals built and what are your impressions?
For starters, the Mono kit is about 40 years old, so any comparison between it and today’s offerrings are unfair. I’ve built two Academy P-38Es, and have pawed through their P-38M in yhe box. I was very pleased with them all. Since they all share common sprues for the major components, I’d have to say that the P-38J would also be a nice kit.
I have the Revell P-38 in the stash[:-^]… so I can’t really help that much, sorry.[
] But I would like to know too. I bought some AM decals for Bong’s Marge and now I need a good model to put them on. I have been thinking about posting a question about the best 1/48 P-38; you beat me to it.[;)]
Yeah I did the Academy P-38E and it was great!
Fit was good, good detail?
Anyone have any opinions on the Hasegawa stuff?
I’ve built both and I would say they are about equal the Hasegawa kit is a little tricky to get the booms aligned correctly but fits fairly well. The academy kit requires alot of fitting and sanding to get acceptable fit of the booms and nose area.
This is the Hasegawa kit.
This is the Academy kit.
Both have good detail in the cockpit and wheel well area.
I hate to sound like a cheapskate, but for the price which one did you like better?
I also built the Academy E version and I agree with mkhoot. The fit of the nose and booms behind the wing is not very good. I had to restore a lot of rivet detail after filling and sanding. The wheel well details are very basic, and the cockpit isn’t much better.
I used a true details resin pit, and the end result wasn’t too bad. Oh yeah, and the decals sucked. The yellow numbers were translucent.
Jerry
That Monogram kit is a real piece of you know what…I too had a similar experience with it and tossed it aside. Hasegawa seems to have the most variety with the P-38 kits and along some cost a bit more…you’re provided with some nice details such as positionable flaps…decal choices, some PE parts, clear instructions, good paint references (sometimes in color), nice clear parts, and a bunch of other goodies…
I’d stick with Hasegawa…They’ve never let me down yet…and you’ll get something nice OTB…
Good Luck,
Tank
The Hasegawa has better detail than the MRC/Academy kit & is a little more expensive. Any twin boom can be tricky, & both kits have a few fit problems. Overall, I give the nod to Hasegawa.
Regards, Rick
I would say the best value is the monogram promodeler P-38F it’s the Hasegawa kit in a Monogram box so it’s a little less money than the Hasegawa kit.