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1/48 Aircraft Series no.123
Lockheed® P-38®J Lightning®
Item No: 61123


Length: 240mm. Image shows painted and assembled kit.

Ace Maker
Developed in response to a February 1937 request from the armed forces for a fighter excelling in speed, firepower and range, the P-38 Lightning would be a wildly successful design that had around 10,000 units produced and spawned numerous US ace pilots. While its design was constantly evolved from its maiden 1939 flight onwards, more powerful engines eventually overtook the P-38's cooling function, and output was limited to 1,250hp at higher altitudes. In August 1943 the answer to this problem appeared: the P-38J, which featured intercoolers moved from the wing leading edges to the underside of the engines. The superior cooling enabled use of its full 1,425hp even at high altitudes, while the newly-available leading edge space was not put to waste, being filled with auxiliary fuel tanks to improve the fighter's range.

About the Model
šThis is a 1/48 scale plastic model assembly kit. Fuselage length: 240mm, wingspan: 330mm. šThis is a highly accurate model based upon extensive study of full-size aircraft. šAccurately captures late-production P-38 features such as engine nacelle-underside intercoolers, flat first canopy glass, and more. šAir ducts connecting intercoolers and oil coolers are faithfully recreated. šWing spar and nose landing gear bay are integrated for exemplary solidity and angle. šA busy and detailed cockpit includes recreations of the Lynn-3 sight, distinctive steering yoke and more. šComes with marking options to recreate a choice of three different ace aircraft.

Packaging


šThe classic P-38 form features twin booms extending from behind the engine nacelles, flanking a central cockpit.


šLarger engine cowlings are faithfully recreated, as are depictions of ducts connecting the intercoolers.


šAn authentic cockpit area captures late features like the flat-fronted first canopy and the two-piece third canopy.


šThe model can be assembled with the canopy open or closed. Inside the cockpit, details such as sight and radio abound.


šUpdated turbocharger shapes are accurately captured by the model.


šThe elegant lines of the larger radiator fairings are faithfully depicted.


šThis image lets you see the larger turbocharger air intakes, which use separate parts.


šThe model features depictions of the landing gear bays without air filters.


šOne of the marking options recreates ace Richard I. Bong's aircraft with distinctive nose art.


šTwo each of 150- and 300-gallon drop tanks are included. (Image shows 150-gallon design). Clear parts recreate identification lights.


šA seated pilot figure is included to add that extra layer of detail, created using the latest 3D scanning techniques.


šWing spar and nose landing gear bay are an integrated part, ensuring great solidity and angle. Weights help balance the model.

šLeft: A clever parts breakdown on the tailplane gives fuss-free assembly and alignment.

šRight: Three marking options are included in the kit, plus a full-color, 1/48 scale painting guide.

šLeft: A full array of markings includes colorful graphics and even mirror finish decals.

šRight: Masking stickers are included to help with the canopy paint job.

Tamiya Color paints for painting the 1/48 Lockheed® P-38®J Lightning®

Tamiya Color Spray Paint for Aircraft Tamiya Color Spray Paint for Aircraft
AS-12 Bare-metal silver AS-5 Light blue

Tamiya Color Lacquer Paint Tamiya Color Lacquer Paint
LP-12 IJN gray (Kure Arsenal) ---

Tamiya Color Tamiya Color Tamiya Color
X-1 Black X-2 White X-10 Gun metal
X-11 Chrome silver X-18 Semi gloss black X-23 Clear blue
X-25 Clear green X-26 Clear orange X-27 Clear red
X-31 Titanium gold XF-1 Flat black XF-2 Flat white
XF-3 Flat yellow XF-4 Yellow green XF-5 Flat green
XF-7 Flat red XF-15 Flat flesh XF-16 Flat aluminum
XF-25 Light sea grey XF-49 Khaki XF-56 Metallic grey
XF-57 Buff XF-60 Dark yellow XF-64 Red brown
XF-85 Rubber black --- ---

šUseful tools and materials in the construction of your model
Item 74112 Fine Pin Vise D-R (0.1-3.2mm)
Item 74127 Fine Pivot Drill Bit 0.6mm (Shank Dia. 1/0mm)
Item 74141 Fine Pivot Drill Bit 1.2mm (Shank Dia. 1.5mm)

Information is current as of May 17, 2022. Specifications are subject to change without notice.