P-38 Lightning Part 2:
P-38J though P-38M Variants
in Detail and Scale

Detail & Scale Volume 19

Printed and Digital Books

Reviewed by Floyd S. Werner Jr.

As a follow up to the great digital book on early P-38s comes this latest edition from Detail & Scale on the last of the Lightning family.  Digital may not be for everyone but I for one am sold on the benefits of digital.  More information, takes up less room, ability to enlarge photos, and just all around fun. 

Written by the same authors, Haagen Klaus and Bert Kinzey, this book is up to the same great standard as their previous collaborations.  Containing 148 ‘pages’ and over 270 photos (189 in color) and 17 line drawings, this digital book is a considerable value. 

This book picks up the history of the airplane from where the previous edition left off.  Starting coverage of the P-38J and its photo recon equivalent, the F-5, the history of the late P-38s is hashed out.  Its contributions in various theaters of operations are covered, before the book gets into the meat and potatoes of the particular variants.

Each aircraft is covered in line drawings, text and more importantly, photos. Of course there are color photos of Dick Bong and Tommy McQuire’s aircraft. 

The P-38J and its subsequent upgrades are discussed.  I love how the authors take you on a journey of what was wrong with previous variants and how that the aircraft were improved on.  This makes it much easier for modelers to figure out what needs to be done to a model to do their subject aircraft. Some really cool nose art is included in this section.  Many were included in the Eduard boxing of P-38s over Europe. 

One of my favorite variants of the P-38J is the Droop Snoot.  For the very first time, there are interior shots of the nose section.  This alone makes this book work the price of admission to me.  There are some new photos in this section of operational Droop Snoops as well.  Did I mention the VIP Droop Snoot P-38L?  So cool.

The photo recon mods are shown in great detail for all variants.  A super detailers dream. 

I learned that the P-38M was not a production variant but a conversion of the P-38L.  They make for some interesting paint and weathering schemes.  The equipment and conversion are completely covered. 

Ever heard of the XP-49?  I hadn’t either.  It is probably because the require Pratt & Whitney engines never materialized.  If it had it would have been a super Lightning IF the designated engines actually showed up.  As it was it was engine with some underpowered Continental engines that made it even slower than the current model.  A missed opportunity. 

Then of course there is the XP-59 Chain Lightning, which looked like a cross between the P-38 and P-61.  Another failed successor.

With the variants completed, the book moves onto the detail section, one of the sections that Detail & Scale excels at.  To say that it covers everything would be an understatement.  From the tip of the nose to the top of the tail is covered.  Various radios, armament, cockpit, wheel wells, literally everything that a modeler could want to detail.  The armament options that flew one Lightning is impressive and they are all covered.  Again, worth the price of admission.

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Then comes the final chapter, the Modelers Section.  Since the later Lightnings are better covered in plastic this section covers 1/144th to 1/32nd scale.  This section tells you what is right and what is wrong with every kit.  It also suggests how to fix what is wrong.  This can save you time, money and energy. 

With that the ‘book’ is complete. 

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, this is THE ‘book’ to have if you’re building a Late P-38.  It really is a one stop shop for a bargain price.  If digital isn’t your thing, the printed copy is really good and also available.  Detail & Scale goes from strength to strength.  This, along with the early edition, will be a valuable addition to any reference library. 

Highly recommended

Thanks to Detail & Scale or the sample.

Review Copyright © 2024 by Floyd S. Werner Jr.
This Page Created on 2 August, 2024
Last updated 2 August, 2024

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