P-38J Over Europe 1170 US WWII FIGHTER 1:48 SCALE PLASTIC KIT

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P-38J over Europe 1170 US WWII FIGHTER 1:48 SCALE PLASTIC KIT

intro The Lockheed P-38 Lightning was developed to a United States Army Air Corps requirement. It became famous not only for its performance in the skies of WWII, but also for its unusual appearance. The Lightning, designed by the Lockheed team led by Chief Engineer Clarence 'Kelly' Johnson, was a complete departure from conventional airframe design. Powered by two liquid cooled inline V-1710 engines, it was almost twice the size of other US fighters and was armed with four .50 cal. machine guns plus a 20 mm cannon, giving the Lightning not only the firepower to deal with enemy aircraft, but also the capability to inflict heavy damage on ships. The first XP-38 prototype, 37-457, was built under tight secrecy and made its maiden flight on January 27, 1939. The USAAF wasn´t satisfied with the big new fighter, but gave permission for a transcontinental speed dash on February 11, 1939. During this event, test pilot Kelsey crashed at Mitchell Field, NY. Kelsey survived the cash but the airplane was written off. Despite this, Lockheed received a contract for thirteen preproduction YP-38s. The first production version was the P-38D (35 airplanes only armed with 37mm cannon), followed by 210 P-38Es which reverted back to the 20 mm cannon. These planes began to arrive in October 1941 just before America entered World War II. The next versions were P-38F, P-38G, P-38H and P-38J. The last of these introduced an improved shape of the engine nacelles with redesigned air intakes and cooling system. Also, the curved windscreen was replaced by a flat one. One of the Lightning´s weaknesses was a huge vibration during dive attacks caused by transsonic airflow on the wings. Lockheed never solved this problem, but dive brakes were installed under each wing from P-38J-25 production block to maintain control when diving at high-speed. The fastest of the Lightnings was the P-38J with a top speed of 420 mph, and the version produced in the greatest quantity was the P-38L - 3,735 left the Lockheed factory while 113 left Vultee assembly lines. So-called 'Drop Snoots' were fitted with bombardier type noses, and used to lead formations of bomb-laden P-38s to their targets. The P-38M was a two-seat radar-equipped night fighter, a few of which had become operational before the war ended. As noted above, the P-38 was the biggest singleseat fighter to serve with the USAAF. Its overall length was 11.53 m; height was 3.00 m and wingspan was 15.85 m. The -J version weighed in at 6,214 kg empty and 9,980 kg loaded. The P-38 was the only US fighter aircraft produced throughout US involvement in World War Two, from Pearl Harbor to Victory over Japan Day. The P-38 was used in a number of roles, including dive bombing, horizontal bombing, ground-attack, photo reconnaissance missions, and extensively as a long-range escort fighter. The US top aces, Richard Bong (40 victories) and Thomas McGuire (38 victories), flew this aircraft in the Pacific Theater of Operations. P-38s also served in the China-Burma-India Theater and in the South West Pacific area, and was the primary long-range fighter of the USAAF until the arrival of adequate numbers of P-51D Mustangs in 1944/45. The internal fuel capacity of 410 gallons could be increased to 1,010 gallons with two external drop tanks. This enabled the Lightning to fly a distance of 3,640 km, allowing it to become one of the most feared fighters in the Pacific War as well as the first fighter ready and able to carry out long range escort missions for four-engined bombers over Europe. P-38J-25-LO, s/n 44-23627, flown by 1stLt. Sam Plotecia, 392nd FS, 367th FG, Juvincourt AB, France, 1944

ÈESKOU VERZI TEXTU A KOMPLETNÍ KAMUFLÁŽNÍ SCHÉMA NALEZNETE NA www.eduard.com/info/photos/1170

47 69 ? 70 ? 71 ? 72 85 73 MC218

118

H11 H12 MC218 MC218 62 33

There is a very interesting story behind this nose art. The artwork was based on the picture taken on the beach. The artist dind´t forget to depict the ball and the steam boat floating in the background. After the war Sam Plotecia married the girl from the picture and they lived together till his death in 2004. Nowadays Anastassia Plotecia (her maiden name was Koza) lives in Maryland. Despite of the help coming from the pilot´s family side we didn´t managed to fully restore the appearance of the aircraft – the individual code letter is chosen radomly. Only first two letters – Ni…- from the female name on the left engine are known. Nicol has been chosen. Sam Plotecia was one of the participants in the aerial battle over Clastres airfield on August 25, 1944. He is credited with one Focke-Wulf damaged. The 367th FG was awarded with Presidential Unit Citation for this battle, the highest award for the combat unit. The full story of our research focused on this aircraft is available in Info No. 7 Vol. 12 on www.eduard.cz. ATTENTION UPOZORNÌNÍ ACHTUNG ATTENTION

Carefully read instruction sheet before assembling. When you use glue or paint, do not use near open flame and use in well ventilated room. Keep out of reach of small children. Children must not be allowed to suck any part, or pull vinyl bag over the head.

Pred zapocetím stavby si peclive prostudujte stavební návod. Pri používání barev a lepidel pracujte v dobre vetrané místnosti. Lepidla ani barvy nepoužívejte v blízkosti otevreného ohne. Model není urcen malým detem, mohlo by dojít k požití drobných dílu.

Iire soigneusement la fiche dínstructions avant dássembler. Ne pas utiliser de colle ou de peinture a` p roximité dúne flamme nue, et aérer la piece de temps en temps. Garder hors de portée des enfants en bas âge. Ne pas laisser les enfants mettre en bouche ou sucer les pie` ces, o u p asser u n s achet v inyl s ur l a t ete.

Von dem Zusammensetzen die Bauanleitung gut durchlesen. Kleber und Farbe nicht nahe von offenem Feuer verwenden und das Fenster von Zeit zu Zeit Belüftung öffnen. Bausatz von kleinen Kindern fernhalten. Verhüten Sie, daß Kinder irgendwelche Bauteile in den Mund nehmen oder Plastiktüten über den Kopf ziehen.

INSTRUCTION SIGNS INSTR. SYMBOLY INSTRUKTION SINNBILDEN SYMBOLES

OPTIONAL BEND OPEN HOLE SYMETRICAL ASSEMBLY NOTCH REMOVE APPLY EDUARD MASK VOLBA OHNOUT VYVRTAT OTVOR SYMETRICKÁ MONTÁŽ ZÁØEZ ODØÍZNOUT AND PAINT FACULTATIF PLIER SIL VOUS PLAIT FAIRE UN TROU MONTAGE SYMÉTRIQUE L INCISION RETIRER POUŽÍT EDUARD MASK NACH BELIEBEN BITTE BIEGEN OFFNEN SYMMETRISCHE AUFBAU DER EINSCHNITT ENTFERNEN NABARVIT

PARTS DÍLY TEILE PIECES B> PLASTIC PARTS C> A>

E> F> G> Tire> D>

PE - PHOTO ETCHED DETAIL PARTS

eduard RP - RESIN PARTS

R7 R8 R11 R12 R13 R2 R3 R5 R6 R9 R1 4pcs. 2pcs. R4 2pcs. 2pcs. 2pcs. R10 2pcs.

R19 R20 R14 R21 R25 R15 R16 R18 R22 R23 R26 2pcs. R17 R24

COLOURS BARVY FARBEN PEINTURE

GSi Creos (GUNZE) AQUEOUS Mr.COLOR AQUEOUS Mr.COLOR H 53 C13 NEUTRAL GRAY H 4 C4 YELLOW H 58 C27 INTERIOR GREEN H 11 C62 FLAT WHITE H 77 C137 TIRE BLACK H 12 C33 FLAT BLACK Mr.METAL COLOR H 13 C3 FLAT RED MC213 STAINLESS H 17 C12 COCOA BROWN MC214 DARK IRON H 25 C34 SKY BLUE MC218 ALUMINIUM H 35 C80 COBALT BLUE Mr.COLOR SUPER METALLIC H 52 C38 OLIVE DRAB SM06 CHROME SILVER 2 A B PE10 PE12 PE21

R17 PE7 H 58 C27 PE6 INT. GREEN

PE12 PE3 PE14 C PE10 PE13 PE11 H 58 C27 INT. GREEN PE11 R18 PE13 PE3

H 58 C27 R13 INT. GREEN PE9 R19 PE8 R18 PE9 PE8 R17 B R22 H 12 C33 FLAT BLACK H 58 H 12 C27 C33 INT. GREEN R23 FLAT BLACK R25 H 58 PE25 C27 INT. GREEN

H 58 R21 C27 INT. GREEN R20 A H 12 C33 H 12 FLAT BLACK C33 FLAT BLACK R24 C H 58 C27 INT. GREEN H 58 C27 INT. GREEN

R10 H 12 C33 FLAT BLACK

R14

H 12 C33 FLAT BLACK

R15 R12 R15 R11

H 58 PE19 C27 INT. GREEN H 12 C33 FLAT BLACK

R11 H 12 C33 H 12 FLAT BLACK C33 H 58 H 12 FLAT BLACK PE4 C27 C33 PE22 INT. GREEN FLAT BLACK PE23 H 12 C33 FLAT BLACK R16 PE15 PE2 PE1 PE16 R12

PE5 R12 3 E F PE30 D8 PE50 PE48 PE49

H 58 C27 INT. GREEN PE46 PE51

A1 PE47

F29 F33 F34

F32

D 2 pcs. 2 pcs. E22 PE52 E23 F12

PE34 TIRE R4 LARGE R5 PE35 E15 A2 MC218 ALUMINIUM E16

H 77 C137 TIRE BLACK

SM06 F35 F36 CHROME SILVER G H PE32 D4, D7

MC218 PE33 ALUMINIUM D5, D6 H 12 C33 FLAT BLACK F17 H 58 C27 INT. GREEN PE45

PE44 MC218 F27 PE44 ALUMINIUM

PE45 H 58 F28 C27 INT. GREEN I J G

H 58 C27 INT. GREEN F30 F31 PE53 R8 MC218 ALUMINIUM

C6 MC218 ALUMINIUM H 58 H C27 PE38 INT. GREEN C5 PE39 PE36

MC218 ALUMINIUM PE37

B4 E B3

F MC218 ALUMINIUM

PE54 B2 C8 B1 C7 4 H 58 C27 PE18 INT. GREEN PE27 D3 PE26

D13 D1

I A2

C3 D14

C3, C4

MC218 ALUMINIUM

C4 PE42

PE43 MC218 ALUMINIUM eduard K M E20 F10 G1 G3 F1

F2 G5 TIRE PE41 SMALL F9 R3

H 77 C137 PE28 TIRE BLACK R26 SM06 F3 CHROME SILVER MC218 ALUMINIUM R2 F4

F26 H 52 C38 G6 R1 OLIVE DRAB

SM06 CHROME SILVER H 52 C38 PE40 OLIVE DRAB MC218 ALUMINIUM F8 F6 L E18 G7 G2

F5 F7 PE24 N D11

D10 R1 PE31

D9 PE20 D12 R4 2 pcs. R4 2 pcs. 5 N

SM06 CHROME SILVER

D2 M

H 58 C27 SM06 INT. GREEN CHROME SILVER

MC218 F11 ALUMINIUM D15 D17 H 58 C27 INT. GREEN

H 77 C137 TIRE BLACK N

SM06 CHROME SILVER K

L MC218 ALUMINIUM

SM06 CHROME SILVER

E14 E18 M MC218 ALUMINIUM

C9 C10

C2 20g weight C10

G3 MC218 ALUMINIUM R9 R26 MC214 G7 R7 DARK IRON H 12 C33 G5 FLAT BLACK G1 MC218 ALUMINIUM PE17 PE29 R7 G6

R7 MC214 DARK IRON PE29 G1

MC214 DARK IRON F20

F22 E1 E2 F21 MC214 F24 DARK IRON MC214 F23 DARK IRON G2 E4 E5 E1 E2

E3 E1 E2 6 A P-38J-25-LO, s/n 44-23677, flown by Maj. Robert C. Rogers, 492nd FS, 367th FG, Peray, France, August, 1944

This Lightning was flown by Maj. R. C. Rogers, CO of 392nd Fighter Squadron. Five swastikas beneath the cockpit symbolize five Junkers Ju 52s destroyed on the ground during attack on French airfields on August 25, 1944. Rogers served with USAF though many years after the war, he became the air attache in US embassy in Brazil also. He passed away on March 2, 2010. ÈESKOU VERZI TEXTU NALEZNETE NA www.eduard.com/info/photos/1170

47 93 94 91

MC218

H4 4 H12 90 H52 92 33 38 MC218

H52 38

H13 H17 H13 MC218 3 96 12 3 97 MC218

MC218

95 48 MC218 MC218

H4 H12 4 33

67 49

H12 H4 33 4

MC218 91 94 93 47 MC218 96

H4 H52 H13 H17 H12 ALUMINIUM MC218 YELLOW OLIVE DRAB RED BROWN 4 38 3 12 BLACK 33 eduard 7 B P-38J-10-LO, s/n 42-67940, flown by Lt. Jack M. Jarell, 485th FS, 370th FG

Lt. Jack M. Jarell died on December 14, 1944 being shot down during the aerial clash near Wiesbaden. He managed to bail out from his airplane but his fate remains a mystery and has been noted as missing in action. He fell victim to Oblt. Lothar Wolff (min. 6 kills) from 14./JG 4 who flew Bf 109 fighter. The black&white D-day stripes were removed from the upper surfaces of his personal P-38 but the remains are still visible. The individual letter „M“ was painted on the inner side of both tails. ÈESKOU VERZI TEXTU NALEZNETE NA www.eduard.com/info/photos/1170

H13 H52 3 38 47 115 116 117 ? 122 ? 105 74

H11 H12 H11 H12 H11 H53 62 33 62 33 62 13

H53 H25 H13 H52 MC218 MC213 107 109 13 34 3 38 H13 MC213 3

H13 3

H12 33

H13 3

H35 H13 H53 80 3 13 113?114 108 110 111 + 112 H53 13

H52 38

H12 33 H11 H12 62 33 H12 33 H11 95 48 62 H52 38 H53 H53 13 13

H4 H12 4 33 H13 H25 3 34 49 H11 H12 H12 H11 34 62 33 33 62

H13 H25 3 ? 34 121 H13 3 74 105 H52 H13 H12 38 3 MC213 117 116 33 115 47 113 ? 114 + 112

ALUMINIUM MC218 H53 H11 H12 H11 H11 13 62 33 62 62 STEEL MC213

H11 H4 H53 H52 H25 H35 H13 H12 WHITE YELLOW GREY OLIVE DRAB BLUE DARK BLUE RED 62 4 13 38 34 80 3 BLACK 33 eduard 8 C P-38J-15-LO, s/n 42-68004, flown by 1stLt. Clark R. Livingston, 392nd FS, 367th FG, Juvincourt AB, France, December, 1944

Livingston´s Lightning wore D-day stripes on upper surfaces formerly. The photos show that the stripes were applied by hand and the lines between black & white are not straight. The black and white paints were not applied directly on the natural metal surface but on the Olive Drab paint to improve the adsesion of the b&w paint. The D- day stripes were removed from the upper surfaces later on. Note the unpaited area surrounding the individual code letters. Livingston also took part in the aerial battle with Focke-Wulfs from II. Gruppe of JG 6 over Clastres on August 25, 1944. He was awarded with one confirmed kill and one probable kill. US forces lost 17 Lightnings from 367th FG, Luftwaffe had to write off 17 destroyed and 2 damaged Fw 190s. ÈESKOU VERZI TEXTU NALEZNETE NA www.eduard.com/info/photos/1170 79 45 84 85 88 87

MC218

H11 H12 MC218 MC218 62 33

H12 75 76 H52 78 MC218 33 83 38 MC218 + 81

H52 38

H11 H12 62 33

H52 38

H13 H17 H13 MC218 3 82 12 3 77 80 MC218

MC218

H11 62 H11 H12 62 33 H12 33 95 46 MC218 MC218

H4 H12 4 33 MC218

H11 H12 H53 H12 H11 67 49 62 33 13 33 62

MC218 MC218

MC218 87 88 85 84 45 H12 H11 83 MC218 MC218 + 33 62 81

MC218 ALUMINIUM MC218 H53 13 82 H11 H53 H4 H52 H13 H17 H12 WHITE GREY YELLOW OLIVE DRAB RED BROWN 62 13 4 38 3 12 BLACK 33 eduard 9 D P-38J-10-LO. s/n 42-67505, flown by Capt. Roy Scruthfield, 55th FS, 20th FG, King´s Cliffe AB, England, 1943-44

The shark mouths are to seen on the single-engined fighters more frequently than on two-engined Lightnings, especially in ETO. This kind of artwork was perfectly visible on the Olive Drab / Neutral Gray camouflage on Capt. Scruthfield´s personal aircraft. The white triangles identified 55th FS within 20th FG. You can see temporary Scruthfiled´s score on the nose – a dozen of bomber escort missions (tophats), two top cover missions (umbrellas) and three sweeps (broomsticks). ÈESKOU VERZI TEXTU NALEZNETE NA www.eduard.com/info/photos/1170

H52 123 38 47 56 57 58 55 120 + 124

H52 H53 38 13

H53 H52 61+60+59 13 38 52 50 ? 51

H52 38

H53 53 54 13

H53 13

H52 38

H53 13 H52 38

95 48

H53 13

H4 H12 4 33 H52 38 34 49 61 60

60 61

59 59 123 120 H52 + 38 124 55 57 58 56 47

H53 13

H4 H53 H52 H12 60+61+59 YELLOW GREY OLIVE DRAB 4 13 38 BLACK 33 eduard 10 E P-38J-10-LO, s/n 42-67685, flown by Maj. Joseph Myers, 38th FS, 55th FG, Nuthampstead AB, England, November, 1943

Joe Myers was awarded with three confirmed and two probable kills during WW2. He downed three Bf 109s and damaged one Fw 190 and one Ju 88. The aircraft depicted was flown by this pilot by January 4, 1944. Myers crashed this Lightning during the take off that days. Besides the aircraft he destroyed 2000 lt fuel tank also. Myers´s P-38 wore camouflage scheme of Olive Drab / Neutral Gray. The white triangle indentified the 38th FS within the 55th FG. The nose-art is in the interesting contrast with pin-up girls. Note the author´s, Mr. Robert T. Sand´s sign. The individual code letter „O“ was present on the both inner sides of the tail. The serial number on the tail is not photographically documented. Mission symbols in the form of broomsticks, sometimes with red umbrella are visible on the nose. ÈESKOU VERZI TEXTU NALEZNETE NA www.eduard.com/info/photos/1170 H52 38 47 103 104 68 ? 106+120 89

H52 H53 38 13

H53 H52 13 99 38 102

H52 38

H53 101 100 98 13

H53 13

H52 38

H53 13 H52 38

95 48

H53 13

H4 H12 4 33 H52 38 34 49

H52 H52 89 38 86 ? 106+120 38 H52 38 104 103 47

H53 13

H4 H53 H52 H12 YELLOW GREY OLIVE DRAB 4 13 38 BLACK 33 eduard 11 P-38J-25-LO, s/n 44-23627, flown by 1stLt. Sam Plotecia, 392nd FS, 367th FG, Juvincourt AB, France, 1944

MC218

H11 H12 MC218 MC218 62 33

H12 62 63 H52 64+65 MC218 33 38 MC218

H52 38

H11 H12 62 33

H52 38

H13 H17 H13 MC218 3 12 3 66 MC218

MC218

H11 62 H11 H12 62 33 H12 33 95 48 MC218 MC218

H4 4 H12 33

H11 H12 H12 H11 67 49 62 33 33 62

H12 MC218 33

MC218 73 85 69 ? 70 ? 71 ? 72 47 H12 H11 MC218 MC218 33 62

MC218

H11 H4 H52 H13 H17 H12 ALUMINIUM MC218 WHITE YELLOW OLIVE DRAB RED BROWN 62 4 38 3 12 BLACK 33 P-38J STENCIL VARIANTS

6 2 1 TOP 31 29c N O S T E P

29b N O S T E P 29a

29c R

29b 20

18 7 1 3 4 5 6

43 N O S T E P

N O S T E P

29a R

33 29a 25 23

17 29a 19 28

20 L 29a 44

29a 16 32 27

L 14 43 43 8 21 14 30 22

10 35 15

15 11 26 40

37 22 16 40 38 39 9 16

39 41

39 42

38 39 13 23 37

26 eduard