Lockheed P-38F/G/H Lightning Collection Pt.2

Xtradecal,1/48 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

HyperScale is proudly sponsored by Squadron.com

Tamiya's 1/48 scale P-38F/G Lightning was released in late 2019 to rightful acclaim.

Perfectly timed, Xtradecal has released two brand new decal sheets covering P-38F/G/H Lightnings.

Tonight I am examining Pt.2, which covers an additional 11 USAAF subjects.

All 11 aircraft are finished in the standard scheme of Olive Drab upper surfaces over Neutral Grey lowers, but there is plenty of colour splashed around with unit and individual markings.

Details are as follows:

• P-38G 42-12830 ‘BO’ ‘Snooks IV1/2’ flown by Lt. William Sloan of 96th FS/82nd FG United States Army Air Force based at Souk-el-Arba Algeria July 1943.

• P-38G 43-2338 ‘122’ ‘Phoebe’ flown by Capt. Tom Lanphier of 339th FS/347th FG United States Army Air Force based at Kukum Field Guadalcanal 18 April 1943.

• P-38G 43-2384 ‘I’ of 80th FS/8th FG United States Army Air Force based at Dobodora Papua New Guinea March 1943. 

• P-38G 43-2527 ‘56’ ‘Pat II’ flown by Col. Oliver B. Taylor CO of 14th FG United States Army Air Force based at Triolo Italy January 1944.

• P-38F 42-2342 ‘129’ ‘Oriole’ flown by Lt. Murray J. Shubin of 339th FS/347th FG United States Army Air Force based at Guadalcanal 1943.

• P-38G 42-13480 ‘UN-9’ ‘Billie Jo/Bar Fly’ flown by Lt. Donald D. Kienholz of 94th FS/1st FG United States Army Air Force based in Italy January 1944.

• P-38H 42-66923 ‘429’ of Army Air Forces Tactical Center United States Army Air Force based in Orlando Florida USA 1944.

• P-38G 42-12926 ‘10’ ‘Mackie’ flown by Maj. Harry Dayhuff of 82nd FS/78th FG United States Army Air Force based at Goxhill UK January 1943.

• P-38F 41-7658 ‘ES-T’ ‘Flip’ of 48th FS/14th FG United States Army Air Force based at Atcham UK September 1942.

• P-38H 42-67058 ‘CY-S’ ‘Pitter Pat’ flown by Lt. Ken J. Sorace of 343rd FS/55th FG United States Army Air Force unknown base 1943.

• P-38H 42-66817 ‘131’ ‘Pudgy’ flown by Capt. Tom McGuire of 431st FS/475th FG United States Army Air Force based at Dobodura Papua New Guinea December 1943.

Instructions for the decal sheet are in full colour across one folded double-sided A4 and one double-sided A5 sheet.

Both side views are provided for all eight aircraft. Upper and lower plan views are also included for selected subjects.

Colour notes are offered, along with model paint callouts for Xtracolor enamels and Xtracrylix acrylics.

The decals are beautifully printed and feature thin carrier film. The sheet offers full sets of five styles of USAAF national markings - no bars, yellow-outlined no bars, bars with no outlines, blue-outlined bars, and red-outlined bars.

This release will offer welcome variety for anyone planning to build the new 1/48 scale Tamiya P-38F/G Lightning, although it will be suitable for other brands too.

Thanks to Hannants for the review sample

Xtradecals are available online from Hannants' website

Review Text Copyright © 2020 by Brett Green
This Page Created on 16 January, 2020
Last updated 16 January, 2020

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