P-38J Droop Snoot question

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
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I’m considering building the Revell 1/48 P-38J Droop Snoot but I’m finding that information about the conversion is somewhat lacking on my internet searches.

I have found the instructions for the 1/72 Academy kit that helps as far as some of the interior structure and a few articles but no pictures of the interior. One question (of many) is did the bombardier enter thru the former gun area doors or some other method? Did he lay prone the entire trip? Also, I’m assuming that there should be an oxygen tank, radio & navigation equipment in the nose…but I’ve been wrong before.

Any input/help is appriciated.

Thanks

Bob

2

How about starting with, in my eyes, buying a better kit wich provides more detail than the monogram kit.
If you allready got the kit, well, you could try the verlinden kit?

Or try big edd/Eduard aftermarket stuff??

Regards Ninetalis.

3

Thanks Ninetalis-I received the kit as a Christmas gift and I want to sharpen my ‘scratch building’ skills so I’ll stick with the Revell kit. I build the same kit as the night fighter version many years ago and it really isn’t that bad of a kit for the price.

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Yeah, I’ve only build as much as 17 kits or so, and another 5 in hold, and have about 58 kits that are in my stash, so I think i havn’t seen a lot of bad stuff, I just don’t like that kit at all, but thats my opinion offcourse…

Regards Ninetalis.

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Nuthin’ with that kit that a modeler can’t handle… [;)]

The bombardier entered through a hatch in the fuselage under the nose… The gunbay was faired-over with a one-piece panel, IIRC… He could sit up in the nose, but I’m not sure of the arangement in there… I’ll dig around some…

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I found this:

I’m betting there was a seat in there, and that the armor plate was behind it, and likely some in the floor…

7

Thanks Hans-that bit of info helps a lot.

I recall (should have saved the link) seeing one article on-line that commented that the bombardier was prone the entire mission, maybe laying on a mattress?

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I dunno… I’m researching a bit too…

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Found this…

!(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/HansvonHammer/Aircraft Profiles/Aircraft details/P-38/P-38discription.jpg)

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!(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/HansvonHammer/Aircraft Profiles/Aircraft details/P-38/P-38DroopSnoot.jpg)

Looks to me as if this was how the bombardier enered, then he used the bottom hatch for an emergency egress…

!(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/HansvonHammer/Aircraft Profiles/Aircraft details/P-38/P-38DroopSnoot2.jpg)

Think I see a seat in there…

!(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/HansvonHammer/Aircraft Profiles/Aircraft details/P-38/P-38DroopSnoot3.jpg)

!(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/HansvonHammer/Aircraft Profiles/Aircraft details/P-38/Droopsnootfront.jpg)

Dunno if you can read the fine print, but this about all I could find…

!(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/HansvonHammer/Aircraft Profiles/Aircraft details/P-38/droopsnoot.jpg)

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for what can acually be seen when the planes are closed up (i’ve buit both versions twice) the detail is pretty good. and if detail that cant be seen is that big of a deal a little scratchbuilding never hurt anyone. throwing money at a problem by running to the after market right away isnt always a great decision.

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Hans-thanks for the photos & article-both are very helpful. There will probably be some ‘artistic license’ involved, but I think I’ve got enough to make it look ‘real’.

Wild Child-well said.