Kagero Publishing
Pacific Lightings

by Andrzej Sadlo & Maciej Goralczyk

Mini Topcolors 40

Reviewed by Luke Pitt

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The P-38 Lightning was a unique and robust machine. In the hands of an experienced pilot, it could and did mix it with the best of them of them and as a result earned itself in aviation history.

This new reference source from Kadero publishing follows the same format as the rest of the so called “Top colours series”. The book does not pretend to be anything more than and elaborate decal sheet and I think that’s why it works so well. The book consists of 4 photos and 8 very well done colour profiles.

Each of the profiles has an accompanying decal sheet (in 72nd, 48th and 32nd scales).

The aircraft covered in the profiles are;

• P-38G-15 LO S/N 43-2384 This machine is in the standard Olive drab /Green camouflauge of the period with green and white tail tip and the same green and white combination on the forward part of the  spinner. The art work is a marvel to look at and includes all the extreme weathering displayed on early pacific Lightings.

• P-38E-LO S/N 41-2221. Flown by Lt John S. Mackey of the 54th fighter squadron and stationed, on the Aleutian Islands in the winter of 1943. The machine is appears in the standard grey/ green camouflauge of the period with a yellow nose tip and red outline national insignia.

• P-38L -5-LO S/N 44-27132. Flown, by Capt Phil McLain of the 36th fighter squadron and stationed, in the Philippines in the spring of 1945. This machine is in natural metal with black and white identification bands on the wings. What makes this one interesting is the quite fetching nose art of “Ready Maid”.

• P-38L -5-LO S/N 44-25133. Flown, by Lt. Charles I. Peck of the 36th fighter squadron and stationed in the Philippines, in the summer of 1945. This machine is in natural metal with black and white identification bands on the wings. What makes this one interesting is the quite fetching nose art of “Pecks Bad Girl”

• P-38L -5-LO S/N 44-26302. Flown, by Lt. Chester Schachterle of the 8th fighter squadron and stationed on the Ryuku Islands, in August 1945. This machine is in natural metal. What makes this one interesting is the nose art of “Angel”

• P-38L -5-LO S. flown, by Lt. Charles I. Peck of the 36th fighter squadron and stationed in the Philippines, in the summer of 1945. This machine is in natural metal with green and white identification bands on the wings and spinners.  What makes this one interesting is the nose art of “Wishful Thinking”

• P-38L -5-LO S/N 44-25161. Flown, by Lt. Royce Hendrickson of the 36th fighter squadron and stationed, in the Philippines in the spring of 1945. This machine is in natural metal with black and white identification bands on the wings. What makes this one interesting is the quite fetching nose art of “Ready Maid”.

• P-38L -5-LO S. flown, by Lt. William Pruner of the 36th fighter squadron and stationed on the Ryuku Islands, in August 1945.  . This machine is in natural metal with green and white identification bands on the wings and spinners.  What makes this one interesting is the nose art of “Shady Lady”

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This is a very good decal reference work.

The decals themselves are very well done with the printing and colour density done to and extremely high standard.

My only criticism is that I would have liked a picture of the real aircraft on which the profiles were based, other than that this is a is a most welcome addition to the Kagero range of books.

I would recommend this book to any modeller with an interest Pacific Lightings used during World War II. My only hope is that they follow this release up with one dealing with the “shark nose” motif versions.

Now that would be something, wouldn’t it?

Highly recommended.

Thanks to Casemate UK for the sample.

Review Copyright © 2014 by Luke Pitt
This Page Created on 25 May, 2014
Last updated 25 June, 2014

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