Global Scale Modeller

The Lockheed P-38 Lightning was a World War II-era American piston-engined fighter aircraft. Developed to a United States Army Air Corps requirement, the P-38 had distinctive twin booms and a central nacelle containing the cockpit and armament. Allied propaganda claimed it had been nicknamed the fork-tailed devil (German: der Gabelschwanz-Teufel) by the Luftwaffe and "two planes, one pilot" by the Japanese. The P-38 was used for interception, dive bombing, level bombing, ground attack, night fighting, photo reconnaissance, radar and visual path-finding for bombers and evacuation missions and extensively as a long-range escort fighter when equipped with drop tanks under its wings.

The P-38 was used most successfully in the Pacific Theatre of Operations and the China-Burma-India Theatre of Operations as the aircraft of America's top aces, Richard Bong (40 victories), Thomas McGuire (38 victories) and Charles H. MacDonald (27 victories). In the South West Pacific theatre, the P-38 was the primary long-range fighter of United States Army Air Forces until the appearance of large numbers of P-51D Mustangs, toward the end of the war.

The P-38 was unusually quiet for a fighter, the exhaust muffled by the turbo-superchargers. It was extremely forgiving and could be mishandled in many ways but the rate of roll in the early versions was too slow for it to excel as a dog-fighter. The P-38 was the only American fighter aircraft in production throughout American involvement in the war, from Pearl Harbour to Victory over Japan Day.

Lysus wrote: Wed Jun 14, 2017 5:57 pm Yeah, I'm drooling over that shine.

Cymru wrote: Thu Jun 15, 2017 10:04 am

Lysus wrote: Wed Jun 14, 2017 5:57 pm Yeah, I'm drooling over that shine.

Thanks Tomcat64 & Lysus, yes I am drooling over the finish too! I have used the Will Patison method (for the first time) and the pictures don't really show just how smooth & mirror like it is.

RicRodrigues wrote: Thu Jun 15, 2017 3:43 pm It looks like I've missed that Will Patison method!!!... Is there a tutorial or step by step thread/video?
Absolutely amazing finish!!! Joining the drooling crew!!!

Cymru wrote: Fri Jun 16, 2017 12:21 am

RicRodrigues wrote: Thu Jun 15, 2017 3:43 pm It looks like I've missed that Will Patison method!!!... Is there a tutorial or step by step thread/video?
Absolutely amazing finish!!! Joining the drooling crew!!!

When it comes to the final reveal I will try to get some shots that really show just how bloody shiny this thing is. I will also show you how I messed up!
Just look for Will Patison on You-Tube and his "bare metal adventure". Since there are eight episodes, each about an hour long , I will shrink it down for you

1: After sanding, buff the plastic to a high shine. Preparation is everything. Do not prime!

2: Apply a tack coat then a good wet coat of either Mr.Color GX-2 gloss black (Not available in the UK) or MRP-172 super gloss black. IMPORTANT! No other gloss black will work to this level, ask WP, he tested them all

3: Now immediately apply a heavy coat of pure Mr.Color Levelling Thinner. Apply a second coat a few minutes later if desired.

4: Allow 24 hrs to cure.

5: Apply a tack coat then a wet coat of AK Extreme Metal Chrome AK-477 (Again, no other product works to this level). Apply no more than two coats close together. Allow at least 24 hrs before handling.

A word of advice, use gloves to handle your model after painting, DO NOT TOUCH with your fingers as it will leave stains that cannot be removed.

Hope this helps