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US ARMY FIGHTER
MODELING
'M
,
I
WO
OSPREY
PUBLISHING
Fil'Sl pubUslw:d ,n GTnl Rriwn in 2003 by
Osprey Publishin~ DInS Court, Chapd \\'2);
All righlS rcs".T\"~d. Apart from any fair dealing fur the
purpose of pri"u~ srudy, ~rch, crilicism or rc>'i"",,", a.~
03 I}tOS 06 Oi 1098i654321
Brilish Libnry
IntrOOut.:tion __ .. 6
Appendices
Index .. . 128
I
.
INTRODUCTION
ince bl:ginning to collect plasti(; modd wondering how long it took me 10 find the
INTRODllCTION 7
,
North American
MUSTANG III
1/32 Scale
FUSELAGE U"
WINGSPAN 14"
mE
,
ABOVE Revell's 1/32-!.C3.le kits EARLY MARKINGS \\;th another in terms of rclati\'e dimensions -
of the 1960$ were highly was somt..t imcs e\'cn dictated by the size of the
desirable models in their day. Along with the componcms thcmsch'cs, box the model came in. This made for some very
Many of these kits featured manufacturers orlhe early plastic kiL~ included odd "ocnn:en scale" parts, ofrcn (00 small to take
operating control surfaces, a set of markings [0 cover the baSIC essentials of full ad\-:1ntage of the subjecl. This was true of
retracting landing gear and
national insignia and so forth, so that when they larger alfcTaft such as bomhcrs however, the
sliding canopies. Unfortunately,
appeared in due course, a reasonable looking fighters being a generally more convenient size
due to the requirement for
styrene hinges and rails, these example of the P-51, 1'-47 or P-38 could be with whidl to work.
working features often robbed built. In some model releases, their designer~ Once there W,1S a perceived marker, the
the model of finesse and were so demonstrably worried that the simple industry in the Uniled Stales soon occame
impacted on accuracy_ task of applying national insigma via waterslide organized and manufacturers released most
Kits of the 1960$ frequendy decals (transfers) might be misinterpreted plastic models in whal is somelimcs referred to
sported thousands of over.;ized that they scribed the outlines into the surface. as "quarter scale." This translated the full-size
rivets. Revell's 1/32-scale Fortunatcl}~ Ihis practice did not last very long. aircraft's dimensions 10 model components that
P-SI BJMustang III kits certainly Early model airplane kit transfer shccts made measured out al a qU:lTIer of an Inch to the
fell into this category! However;
few concessions 10 authentic markings such as foot. This scaling could be entirely relied upon,
a few kits from this era are still
wdc letters or ro numbers and those thai \\ere as non-amformist models cominuc-d to appear,
worth building today.
included were seemingly chosen al r.lndom. but in general bigger \\-:15 better in the US.
Sheets of ehed:ers and numbers became Interestingly, the UK market had already
a'-:1ilablc, these being Iinle more than recognition appreciated the undoubted ad,-antagcs of
aids based on nying model decoration. And kilS models in this larger scale. The Chingford
of wartime fighlCTS made in America usually had Model Aerodrome (C~IA) was, by 19+1,
USAF r.lther ,han USAAF national insignia - offering a range of quartcr-scale solid models
so a~"ain, it is nOI hard to S(:e how far we\'c come which ineluded a P-3S, P-39 and P-H.
in this TCSI>CCI alone. Equally popular W:IS the ll72~scalc range hy
TruscaleofIloumemouth, L"K, \\'hich ascarly as
WHICH SCALE? 19{() had released an Airacobra and Tomahawk.
At that time of course the US Air Corps had few
The outline ,lccuracy of these early consl'rUCliun other full-sizc designs of which models could be
kits was not always all it might have been and the made. That did not mean AmeriGlll fighters wen:
qucstion of scale - i.e. one model comparable overlooked and lacking anything more dC\'elopcd
INTROOucnON 9
As the War progressed, basic markings
schemes for American fighters developed
to encompass local conditions, the various
configurations of the aircraft and above all, the
need for concealment on the ground and
instant recognition in the air. Each theater of
war had its own detail requirements for
markings although there was a considerable
degree of commonality regarding paintwork,
once the early-war anomalies resulting from
diverTed contracts settled mto standardization.
These often conflicting reqUIrements of
blending into the terrain to elude the enemy and
being recognized by pilots on the same side
resulted in a plethora of colors, code letters,
numbers, bands and stripes being applied to all
US fighters in combat. Reliable and adaptable
systems soon emerged.
EUROPEAN BASIS
INTRODUCTION 11
,
CHAPTER 1
GETTING STARTED
BELOW LEFT Different eLling started on a modern kit is In my experience though you need to
adhesives are available for
different requirements.
Cy.moacrylate cement, more
commonly known as supergtue,
G therefore easy and requires very little
extra financial outlay over and above
a set of paints and a few basic 1001s. The
experiment with the plastic used by various
manufacturers. As will be noticed when
assembling lhe kit, some plastics have a softer
i:mer will vary according lO the individual's taste compound than others. The ability to "SIring"
is helpful for securing small
but me successful completion of any kit requires the hc:ued sprues lO thin lengths depends on
parts.This glue dries very
quickly, but the bond is a sct number of steps lO be followed before the degree of densi!}·.
somewhat brittle and the fumes any gluing of partS is undertaken. These include When each washed sprue has dried, some of
from the drying glue can fog immersing the entire set of errier sprues in a the partS need to be rcmm'ed from the carril.T
dear pam.Watchmakers' solution of washing up liquid in lukewann watcr. frame, a lask that always requires gTeat care,
cement is a good alternative for Thi.. is necessary to remm-e any traces of the particularly where small, delicate comJXmenrs arc
bonding clear pam. It is strong "release agent" used, as the term implies, lO concerned. These should not be pulled or twisted
and clear when dry. slip each sprue out of the mold smoothly, with away from the sprue as a pit may easily be made in
There are many choices of no pulling or sticking and without a film of the smooth surface of the component which will
cement for gluing polystyrene
thin plastic known as "flash" inadvertently require filing off or, in extreme cascs, filling and
plastic parts. The Revell
emhracing the component parts. This very thin sanding down. Some kits are beller than others in
"COntacta" cement pictured is
plastic film still appears on some modem kits this respect: occasionally it seems that no matter
equipped with a handy needle
applicator for precise placement bm in general it has been eliminated from the how careful ~'ou arc at scpar:ulng the parts from
of the cement. products of the major manufacturers, whose the sprues, a riny raised area remains on the
quality conlT()1 is generally of a high order. A thin component and stubbornly refuses to disappear.
BElOVV RIGHT Sanding tools film of plastic has irs uses in some an:as of h is therefore an area that al....1lys needs close
are an essentiaJ element of the modeling as il is strong enough to shape into anention and a "damage limitation" approach
modeling loolbox. From the left, o-rra panels, lO replicate into battle damage an:as right from the stan. This applies particularly to
we can see a sanding stick.. a and so forth - so follow the old adage of "never the canopy and othcr transparent partS. Pla!t"tic
buffing stick and emery board. throw anything awa)," Even the carrier sprucs kirs ha\'e hiswrically been packed into plllythenc
These can all be cheaply have meir uses. Stretched under a fhmc those bags - several bags in the case ofsome laq,ocr scale
obtained from the supermarkel
long straight Sl.octions of plastic have historically models - and I always uke the precaurion against
or pharmacy. The needle file
been the source of ultra thin aerial wires on transparencies gening scratched by lca\ing them
permits smOOlhing of hard-to-
reach areas of your model, and innumerable models. The advantage is of course in one of the bags. Alternatively, wrap them in
the sanding block is ideal when that, being plastic rather than any other matcrial, tissue paper. Don't let the clear parts rattle
large areas of plastic need to be you can rely on its strength and ability to bond as around in the box because lhey arc prone to
re-contoured. well as the kit componcnL<i. damage and breakage in extreme cases.
TOP RJGHT A high quality sprue cutter (on MIDDLE RIGHT Here are some tools that BOTTOM RIGHT It will usually be
the left of this pict\lre) will supply a clean change the surface texrure of a model: ne<:e55ary to fill seams or gaps on a model.
Cut and save a great deal of time that might two different styles of scriber and a A large selection of putties is available for
otherwise be spent trimming. unding and dressmaker's pin wheel. The lauer is an this purpose.The old lener opener at the
filling.A selection of razor saws will also find inexpensive tool useful for replicating tOP of the picwre is ~ed as a trowel for
their Wil'/ into the modeling toolbox. rivet marks in plastic.. applying MId smoothing putty.
GETTING STARTED 13
-
ABOVE LEFf Tape is useful in TOOLS will be unaware that they vary a good deal and
many aspects of modeling.The that the most modern plans arc nO£ necessarily
Dymo tape on the left can be In recommending the tools needed to get a kit the most reliable. The answer is to use the one
used as a self-adhesive scribing project underway, the separation of parts from you feel best reprt:sents the full size machine
guide on large kit parts. while the sprue will reqUire a strong pair of rin in order to check the dimensions of plastic
Tamiya Masking Tape can be used
snips or sprue cuners to st.'yer the often tough kit JXlrlS ab'ilinst what is, after all, a "nat" and
for preparing kits for painting"
"trees" that hold the pieces in position. These therefore false representation - and indeed one.
ABOVE RIGHT No modeling auachmelllS have to be fairl}' substantial, as that no manufacturer ever needs to huild the
rooIkit would be complete some kitS need to be shipped haIfw"ay around real aircraft.
without a selection of good the world before they reach the modeler's I take the view that scale plans are only parI
quality jnintbrushes in various hands. Sucked on shch"cs., not always by of the literature the modeler needs on World
sizes. An airbrush is Vl important people who appreciate the delicacy of what's War 2 aircraft and nobody should rely one
tool to help achieve il realistic inside, [hey can get damaged; so strong hundred pcr<.-cnt on their accuracy. After all, a
finish.The airbrush pinured here retaining pins are needed on cach of the sprue plan is onh another individual's interpretation
is Testor's Anek A470. frames. Tin snips will easily remove the most of a thrcc dimensional object in one plane -
importalll parts including the two fuselage which of course has been drawn up, reduced in
halves, the engine cowling and the wing size and reproduced, a process with numerous
sections in order for the modeler to make opportunities for error.
the initial dry or "dummy run." Carefully A friend who draws scale plans for side
check the fit of all these components, ensuring views has made good usc of a computer 10
especially that the attachment pins align measure dimemions between known poinls
correctly. If they don't, an unsightly seam or on an airframe and come up with some
step might result when the glue is applied surprising answers. But those nf us who arc not
which will laboriously ha\'e to be sanded down. professional draughtsmen or engineers may
If pin alignment threatens to create this fault, not fully understand the close tolerances
trim off any offending ones at this stage. Other aerodynamists ha\"e to work with - nor do
useful tools are dealt with in the images and we reall)' nCl.:d to know for the purposes of
captions on pages 12-14, modeling, My o\"erall advice i.~ to run your eye
over what you consider to be the most reliable
BUILDING A P-47 plans but make a cllN: concurrent study of the
best possible quality photogl'2phs.
Our "getting started" modeling subject will be Read any model magazine and sooner or
the p-t7 Thunderbolt, with particular reference laler there will be some pundit who "ill
to Tamiya's 1/48-scale 1'-470 Thunderbolt inform the listening world that such and such a
"Razorback", modeled by Brett Grccn in the manufacturer's kit is two millimeters '00 shon
images that accompany this chapter. in the fuselage. Really? What if the plan used
With such a \'ariety of 1'-47 kits available, was scaled down from an original drawing (as
across several scales, i, 's always a good idea to most reproduced plans arc) and happened to be
check thc wing and fuselage sections for undersized by just that amount? How would
outline accuracy against a multi-view drawing. our "expert" know that?
Plam of P-47s showing three or more views of Dimensions can of course be checked with a
the aircraft have been published in magazines scale rule or calculator - provided that the
and books in great number and few modelers reference that quotes the figure seems right.
Fine - but now check another \xlol:, thcn a his own plans in order to pr<X1ucc an accurate ABOVE Tamiya's lI48·sale
third or fourth. CJJ.anccs arc that someone will replica, will be quickly notiu:-d and closely P-47D Thunderbolt "Razorback",
ha\"c added a few eighths of an inch to the ch(."(;kcd before anything else. model by Brett Green. Late in
quoted oycrall length. My personal \'lew is 2002,Tamiya released their
lI48-scale P-47D Thunderbolt.
• simply to ignore any tiny discrepancy between COMMON PROBLEM AREAS FOR
This kit features superb levels of
kit and plan that is not glaringly obvious or MODElERS accuracy. detail. engineering and
that docs not cxceed about five millimeters. it All machines have lheir idiosyncrasies of
options. It sets a new standard
seems that few people can ever get these design, none more than aircraft so it seems. On for a plastic kit straight from the
questions of dimensions tOl,llly right, for the the Thunderbolt there are a number of arC;lS box. Some modelers claim that
above reasons which arc often beyond one's that can be problematic if they have been this is the best 1!48,scale aircraft
control. I feci that it is simply nOI wonh the poorly designed as kit components or if there model released to date. One
effon involved to add some tiny extension to a has been some fault in the moldings. If the thing is for certain: if you want
kit, onc probably involving a good deal of work, r-47 kit version is :1 "T3zorback" mudel prior to build a model without the
that few observers will even notice unless it is to the P-47D-25, the top line and shape of the expense or complication of
brought to their attention. Oh\'iously shape f(''3f fuscl3ge will stand OUl if il c1c;lrly lacks after-market accessories, but you
still wam a well-deailed replica,
• matters and if an error in the Q\'crall length
of the P-47's fuselage is a result of a poorly
the tfue sharpnC'ls ob\'1oUS in a thr(.-c-quarcer-
fear view of the full-size aircr:lft. If you fccl
Tamiya's lI48-scale P-47D fiu
the bill.
defined rudder or a short nose; then some that the Thunderboh looks bener with the
remedial work should be undertaken. canopy open, try positioning the !cit cockpit
As your modeling experience builds, so ....111 before cuning it from the windscreen.
your "third eye" imprO\·c. This hypothctical Chances arc that it won't fit, and will ride a
combination of gray matter and optics is an scale foot or so too high. The reason for this
aid to accuracy in reproduction and will comc disparity is that the greenhouse canopy on
into playa grcat deal in modeling good scalc pre-D-25 versions of the Thunderbolt was
replica of aireraft. Study of pholographs will very thin. Two handles sel into the lower
also reveal the finer points of design and framing were used hy the pilot 10 brace the
<:onstructlon of the full-size machine, those l;anopy apart so that it would align in the
"make or break" areas that have to be spot-on runners on each side of the fuselage. It had
for a model to work in its own right. Sooner or to be thin to be light enough to move easily
later the common pitfall areas, those where the and align snugly with the coarning behind
kit manufacturer has to pay close attention to the pilot's scat. Therefore, scaling it all
GETTlNG STARTED 15
RIGHT The sprues ofTamiya's
1/48-scale P-47D Thunderbolt
are packed in separate plastic
bags.This is important, as it
prevents partS on different
sprues from rubbing together
while the box is in transit, which
could result in fine scratches and
scuffing.The sprues contain a
wealth of options for the kit,
including bombs, rocket
Iaunc:he~. different styles of drop
tanks. alternate propellers and
optional position landing naps.
cowl naps and fuselage outlet.
down means that no ralorback model fuselage the open position. The only otht.-r option is to
section is really going 10 be narrow enough if laboriously pare down the plastic behind the
the clear section is to align with it when open. l"OCkpit until i[ will 3lttpr the den section that
Depending on the desired scale, the modeler is supplied with the kit.
has to chose either to til a canopy from another The chord and shape of [he rudder has also
kit that is slightly oversized (they all \'ary to some presenred a few challenges to Thunderbolt kits
degree) or mold one ill material thin enough 10 in the past, as ha\-e areas such as the alignment
sit far enough down to rest on the sliding rail of the eight blast tubes of the wing machine
and generally line up squarely when located in guns, the o\-erall shape of the cowling, the size
and shape of the fuselage turbo waste gates., Ihe wh!.:cls of rhe P-17 need careful auention:
cowl naps and [he canop~. certain Idts are seemingly designed to make this
Taking [hcse check poinn; in no panicular alignment more diflicul[ to aehie\'e but if you
order, the chord and outline shape of [he feel they ha'"e it wrong, mod~- me loca[ing pins
rudder should be ehecled ab"3ins[ phoLOs and - or do your own [hing!
plans. As is ,wll known, all eight machinc guns Other areas of P-+7 kits mat need scrutiny
should oc sct in a horizontal line and no[ follow include the shell case exit doors in the \\ ins:
Ihe dihedral angle of the wing:; the turbo undersides, how well the dl'tail of the auaehed
should be wcll defined, with the [\\"0 small (or separate) main wing racks for drop lanks
exhaust doors aft of Ihe cowling sining proud and bombs has been aehievc..-d, and of course,
of [he fusclage; all cowl naps should also be the outline shape of the cockpit canopy, nOt
thin enough for [he scale :md preferably no[ forgetting the unique shape of the windscrc..'en
nil in :I "wide-Dpen" position, and [he large on the early model rawrbacks.
ventral exhaust ports should be the correct size Ain..Taft details can look remarkably dilTert.'Tl1
and shape. from certain camera angk-s, and with the P-.J.7
A common scale problem on Thunderbolt the upper line of 1he forward fuselage will
kits is that the waste pIes lur the turbocharger appear to vary considerably. This optical illusion
on each side ofthe center fuselage arc often too has led kit manufacTurers something of a dance
thick if the mm·eable doors arc molded open. insofar as designing the bl-St way to attach lhe
Ll"cn if they come as separate irems rhey cowling to the fuselage and "mold thc dip" that
should he to seale thickness. always appeared where the fuselage curved
You'll also need LO ehl.:ek whelher or nO( the downwards to meet the cowl flaps. The war the
main landing gear doors are in their correct [hree naps arc molded in the kit often has a bearing on
sccLions" On older kits, Ihey mighr well be atturacy of owline. Various approaches ha\·e
molded:ls one piece [hal has to occut info mree_ been adopted by kit manufacturers 10 artlch the
That tiny door section at the rop of each oleo leg CO'I\-Iing and the engine components, but [hey
s(.'CfIlS to throw manufaClurcrs, who oftcn mold it usually comprise a straight join in,'oh ing
as a protuberance at the top of the "straight" ccml'Ilting Ihe circumference of the cowling.
Sl..'Ction of the doors. In extTt..'ITle cases I\"c known Undcrncalh, the Thunderbolt (depending
kits to ignore Lhese tiny doors completely and on the sub-type) can appear differenr as well-
merely engra,-e their outline on [he outside quite poI-bellied in some 'lews and regularly
f.1c..'C of [he main door_ Although these ircms are curn:d in others, Some machines from the
"cry small, without thc..-m Ihe 1>-47's unusual P-f7C-5 did indeed have an extrn "keel" section
(;.\"[cnding oleo \muld have lx'Cn cXlx)SC(i to more to enable sttengthened belly tank/bomb
dust :llld grit ~ and once YOll know the doors shackles to be fitted. There was a distinci bulge
should he separa1e sections, yOUl' conscience will on the undcrside as a result. Em the trouble
crcate a need 10 reproduce them. with that kind of modification is that iT mises
As with all World War 2 fighters, the forward lhe following quesTion. were all suh-types
rake of the undercarriage and the toc-in of the similar in outline from that point on? If the
GETIlNG STARTED 17
RIGHT Next, major parts are
removed from the kit sprues
using sprue cutters. These can
be used to make a clean cut
close to the plastic part.
minimizing later "clean-up."
answer is a qualified no., it docs nOl 3ctually help THE CUTTING EDGE
the modeler much. Comparing the kit p3ns 10 Previous mention of a scalpel brings us to
as many photos as possible is the only W3Y 10 another essential item III our tool kiL Any form
decide if the plastic matches the met3!. of sharp knife will suffice to cut what is osually
relatively soft plastic, mducling those that
CONSTRUCTION TIME have snarroffhlades. Those by Swann Morton,
So, having washed all the parts on the sprues sold with a range of different-shaped blades,
and thoroughly scrutinized what came OUI arc probably the most versatile. 1 find a lOA
of the box, and assuming that the 1'-47 kil blade [0 be the most useful for trimming
you arc building is accurate enough not to plastic components, as it is not too long to
require major surgery with a file or scalpel, risk breakage. Also, the blade remains sharp
construction of the main sub-assemblies can enough to enable repeated trimming or
proceed. Dy this stage you will have cut off the scraping lightly along a SL'am to remove a
twO fuselage halves and the wing to see how glue bubble without any surface scralching, as
they match up. happcns when using the "wet and dry" sanding
It goes without saying that you alsQ need to method. Those annoying hairline scams that
check that the horizontal tailplancs 3re ready can appear on upper and lower wing surfaces
for assembly thc right way up. This is because when gluing - no how matter how careful
they may h3\'e previously oc-cn detached and you've been during the dry runs - can easily be
sub-assembled. In case you have done this removcd by a scalpel held at an angle to the
preparatory ,"ork but neglected to check if the offending joint.
trim tabs and any prominent mass balances are Also, I ill\'ariably usc Swann Morton blades
where they should be., consulr the instructions, as drills.. Gently rotated, the pointed blades are
which should male this clear. The same ideal for making that c.xtra locating hole or
goes for trim tabs on the ailerons and the opening out a gun trough. Provided that due
wings. I"'e seen numerous references to the restraint is c:.:erciscd (the blades otherwise
fact that kit manufacturers have lert these on being liable to snap in half or at least lose ,heir
the kit when they were in fact omined from a tip) such work can be completed without resort
given sub-type.. And of course the opposite is to an electric drill. Patience, that supreme
also true, so knowledge of the sub-IYpe of modeling :lid, applies. A round flIe can be used
aircraft you're working with is quite important. to clean up thc machine-gun port, Inlake or
These arc annoying details to find oul laler whatever area you need to drill oU[. On 1'-·47s a
when painting a trim tab that your particular \\ ing root camera port may need to be added if
variant did not in fact ha\'c! the kit does nOl indicate it.
,,
GETTING STARTED 19
paints to hc applied to the mode!. Areas I find that kit instructions always need a
such as the tailwheel and mainwheel wells modicum of personal interpretation at certain
and the edges of the undercarriage doors which stages of construction although famillarity with
on P-47s, \\·ere often quitc visible as a chrome the aircraft type will soon enable much of the
yello\\·;orange shadc, nced to he so treated. assemhly to be completed without constant
Some P-47 kits extend to a canvas dust hoot reference to them. In recent years manufacturers
around the tailwheel oleo and this may need to have almost dispensed with the cost of
be painted at this stage, along with the two translating instructions into six-plus languages
retaining rods that kcep the tailwheel doors and instead have reverted to illustrations. This
open. Simulatcd on some kits, these rods may means that anyone from Yorktown to Yokahama
be added as separate items if the modeler so is theoretically able to assemble the kit with the
wishes. The cockpit console and sidewalls also minimum of trouble - certainly not bccause a
need painting at this stage, as do the seat and all word (or ten) cannot be understood. In fact kit
areas of the cockpit visible through the canopy. design for American single-engine fighter
l\tlost fighter models require thc cockpit models follows much the same pattern and few
detail to be completed at an early stage, as this people should run imo difficulties in assembling
sub-assembly will be trapped hy the fuselage a Thunderbolt. On the other hand, the various
halves when they arc glued. Some items such stages have to be elearly understood to ensure
as a separate headrcst and radio sets that arc that the sheet does not suggest, for example, that
located aft of the pilot's scat may be left until the assembly of the main landing gear is not
later. As a considerable degree of handling of tackled too early. It is well known that alignment
the model lies ahead, you don't need flimsy of a kit's wings and tailplane against the \'ertical
parts that arc liable to come lose snapping off is vital: if the dihedral angle is 100 steep, the
and perhaps being lost forever. landing gear oleos will im·ariably be too high and
]0 sum up, the less you rcally necd to add the wheel toe-in (or out) will sutTer. Vertical
before the aircraft has its fuselage and perhaps alignment of the mainwheels also needs to be
wings assembled, the better. carefully done, so the landing gear assembly
should ideally to be completed althe same time.
WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS? Should the kit instructions suggest early
By studying the accompanying instruction attachment of the gear, ignore them. Applying
sheet, the modeler will now havc a good idea adhesive to all three undercarriage legs mUSI
of how the kit has been broken down for case wait until the wing angle has been obtained
of assembly and the number of stages this will satisfactorily, otherwise even the best model
take. risks !rJining a few scale degrees of dihedral on
one wing compared \\-ith the opposite side plastic section representing the instrument
while the adhesin' that fixes them in position panel. Cockpit sidewalls, with lheir \':Irious
drics OUI. Cnsighdy gaps rna} also appear at instruments, boxe:i and IC'lTfS, are im-ariably
the wing rooLS and require use of filler and molded in relief :md need only careful painling
sandpaper to eliminate them. But if basic and rna} be a little additional d~- brush wear and
precautions are raken, the dr)-run fitting of tear, 10 bring them out. Paint the inside as
pans should result in a near perf(."(;t marrying accurately as possible. both from your rcfcrcot.'CS
up all round. and the kit inSlructions.
Wing (Q fuselage joints oftcn pose problems It is of course entirely an individu.al ehoi(.'(:
in alignmelH, as do OIhcr major wmponents how much :additional work [Q put into thc
that arc molded separately tu onc another on cockpit interior. For example, do you want
the sprue. There can be few things more merely 10 pick out the scat harness with paint,
irksome than to ha\'e a wing- jUt forward of the or add your own hom a multi-media accessory
root fillet section and overhang at the trailing kil, such as the Eduard one shown in the
edge. What to do? Tn extrcme cases the only jlholOgraph on p:age 22i [laving decided
remedy is to employ filk... to build up the fillu whclher or nOI to h:ave the finished model with
before the wing halvcs an.: joined to it. Then, an open or closed hood section will oftcn
using ample adhesi\'e, aim to obt:Jin as firm a determine Ihe .answer. In the elosed position,
bond as possible before S3nding the offending howe\ er e!<,'ar the transparent sections of the
ioim down after the wing is att:Jchcd. I low razorback "greenhouse" are, there \\-ill be some
much work you'll ha\e 10 do depends on the distortion. The degrec of delail \-isible through
design of the kit in qucstion, but the butt joint lhe bubbletop CJ,nopy of a P---17D is also limitt.'<!
is still commonly used on models of P-4-7s and due to the brace mt."(:hanism behind the Jlilot's
single-engine aircraft of similar configuration. seal, the hc:adrcst and in all \'ersions, the
nOlable eu!\-ature of rhe fuselage al that point.
ADDING MORE DETAIL II should be stressed ar this junelure thaI
Should you now be a little impatienl to complete the foregoing is intended for the enlhusiastic
your Thunderboh and add the finishing touches, beginner to do as the chapter heading s.ays - to
rhere is no reason why time nt.w be spenl gel Slarted. NOl for a moment would I suggcsI
on adding extra detail to the cockpit area. that the highly skilled builder who also intends
Today, most good kits, induding the excellent to enter his model in a competition would wanl
T;lmiya one shown in thc photographs that LO skimp the cockpit, particularly bearing in
accompany this chapter, come with all that the mind th:1( event judges invariahly carry pen
nlOl.leler needs to give the rC(luired depth to torches to probe the model's innards to see
this area, including dCl'als to be attached to a exactly holl' mut:h has been put in - or left off.
GffilNG STARTED 21
-
covering relatively large areas of plastic with
paint, although 1 note that the number of coats
necessary for complete, in-depth coverage can
be quite high, and the time it takes is not
insubstantial either.
Having been totally in the hands of a
succession of inueasmgly beat-up Badger and
Aztec airbrushes in recent years, I've come to
know my place. 1 spray how the brush wants
to most of the time but holJ the option of
replacing the thing if it flatly refuses to comply
after repeated deamng and bathing in thinners.
Stripping the brush nght down to give il a
thorough clean remains a last resort although
many people won't do this on the grounds that
it might not go back together correctly, thereby
postponing completion of the model. You can
actually get away with merely spraying through
the old color and regularly washing the brush
in thinners and/or a proprietary cleaner that
comes in aerosol form.
Obviously, successful airbrushing requires
the user to follow some cardinal rules,
including using light shades before dark ones,
and taking care when spraymg silver or
aluminum to clean the brush (even more
thoroughly than usual) to avoid conumination
of other colors.
The rapid amount of heat generated by
the average compressor in about one hour's
spraying is surprising. The model I currently
usc has a nasty tendency to jam if it becomes
too hot but luckily gets going again when it has
been allowed to cool down. As an alternative
to a compressor, canned gas propellant will
ABOVE The only extra item Building a model straight out of the box, "drive" an airbrush: although it gives a high
destined for the P-47D kit was a using only what is provided by the manufacturer enough pressure to activate the brush, the
harness from Eduard's set No. 49 without any modification, has been legitimized pressure can vary. If the '--"Oln has been stored for
00 I: Seatbelts USAF & USN by the International Plastic :\lodeling Society as some time the contents can go flat, leading to
WWII.These photo-etched belts
a competition cla.ss in its own right: there could uneven pressure and the need to constantly
have been pre-painted and are
hardly be better proof of how high a standard shake the contents into life. This on-off
microscopically detailed.
today's kits have reached, such as the Tamiya tendency alone soon makes people invest in a
P-47D shown. Above all, modeling should be an compressor. Those on the market arc either
enjoyable, absorbing pastime, not a stress-ridden universal, or intended for usc with a certain
search to acquire every accessory on the market. brand of airbrush, the prices varying to suit
Like football, which was once only a game, different needs and the degree of features.
model making can become a high cost, angst- These include a pressure regulator, a water trap
ridden, reputation-risking business. Don't ever and the capacity to operate more than one
let that happen to you! brush at a time, if necessary. Homemade
compressors still figure in modeling, the
AIR OR PAINTBRUSH' advantage with this type being that extra
There a.re still many modelers who have never features can be fitted for convenience and
quite mastered the art of spraying models with flexibility in spraying.
an airbrush, and who get along with the time \Vhatever paint applicator system one
honored hand-held brush. I suspect however employs, the difference an airbrush makes in
that such individuals are in the minority, obtaining a smooth finish to a model cannot be
particularly if there is a penchant for the larger over-emphasized. That is not to imply that
scale kit. An airbrush is almost essential for hand brushing no longer has a place in model
CHOOSING A FINISH
'10 return to our P-47D: having sprayed or
hand painted all areas of the interior that will
be visible once the twO fuselage halves arc
attached, and completed lhe eodpit, our
model is a further step ncarer to completion.
By this stage a choice holo!> to be made on thc
final color scheme, based eilher on an overall
camounaged effect or nalural metal finish
(:\"MF). II is not [hal unpainted USAAF
fighters ever remained in prisline conditioned
(,.'omp3.roo to their eomemporaries in olivc surfaces, suy pliable and bulge out of [he joint ABOVE The Eduard beltS were
green and ncmral gray camounage paim - it is when two surfaces are mated up under mounted on top of the rail behind
just th3.t [he weathering effec[ was somcwhat pressure. As with :1.11 aspects of this hobby, 3. the pilot's seat. representing the
different. From the modeler's viewpoin[, a light touch when applying the cement will p3.Y V«f they looped oYer md behind
di\'idcnds. Ilelp is at hand \\ ilh Re"cll's this bar.The brown he.ildrest
poor joint thai can be hidden b} sc\ eral coats of
received a wash of thinned IQw
Oli\-e Drab will nOl be quite so cas}' to disguise Comaeta cement, which comes in a squ3.re
Umber oil paint to make it look
\\'i[h a plain finish. fk.xipack with a slim nozzle applie:.ttor. This
more leather-like.Tiny silver chips
Aluminum or sih'er paint has slightly metal extension rube is ideal for gctling were added to the seat. the floor
different propenies to Ihe pigment m all adhesivc into [hose inaccessible corners where and the rear bulkhead using a
o[her color shades and some model pamts an cxtra drop or [wo \\ill ensure that nothing silver pencil.
arc specially formulated to be Iightcr for comes loose, panicularly inside the fuselage.
application by airbrush. The coats will Otherwise, liquid cemenl will cope with BElOW The P-47D's raised
therefore be thinner, allowing the model's most modeling tasks. Applied sparingly, it ribbed flooring is very impressive
surfacc detail - or scral ches - to show through leaves virtually no trace on lhe plastic surface and free of any molding
that much more easily. Care and patience (although it certainly will mark the plastic imperfections.
should result in hardly any bad joints being
visible - but the old adage dIal if things can go
wrong, they in....ariably will, applies as much [()
modeling as any other human endeavor -
probably more so for some people!
ADHESIVES
At this poin[ we need to look 3.t the range of
adhesi\'es available. The mOSt popular arc the
liquid cement [ype m3.rketed b} such firms as
Humbrol, and hC3\"ier duty lubc-ccm(:m type.
This Ialter is also sold by commercial suppliers
and model kit companies 3.nd is mOSt widely
used for firmly bonding joints such as wing
sections to the fuselage - anywhere that a
sl'ronger join is necessn}'. L'scd less tOO3.Y than
il once was, tube cemenl would, if you arc
clumsy, craze the plaslic sur(;u..:c. On the one
hand this may assure a bettcr bond as the two
plastic faces lend to melt into ea<.:h other, but
the drawback is l'hat the cement can lie on the
GETTlNG STARTED 23
-
if :Iccidcntally spilled) :md without the of dricd adhesive one could actually sec in
"stringing" cffect that tube cement can creatc. the joints, I've taken the warning "use glue
Liquid :adhesi,-c is applied with :I small sp:ll'ingly" rather to heart. nut today the range
brush - often supplied with the boule it comes of adhesi,-cs to cover all modeling tasks is
in - and works by capillary :lction so that it wide and you can chose the one that suits, :J.
creeps quieldy along the smallest of joints_ Its combination of l>olystyrene cement and liquid
general non-staining properties m:ake it ide:ll adhesive being ideal for most modeling tasks.
for attaching clear parrs to solid sections, such If all else fail... c~llnoacrylate (superglue) will
as cockpit canopies and formation lights_ It surely do the joh. The one drawback in using it
has the slight disadnntage of sometimes is that, lad:ing the nexibility of other model
drying so quicl:ly on contact with :lir thar adhcsi,'cs, you ha\"c to get the positioning right
rept.':l.( :applications are necessary. This type of first time and closely monitor Ihe drying Out
BElON The pre-painted P-47D adhcsiw, which has all but revolutionizcd process.
componenu were brought plastic modeling, is becoming more efficient To ensure that the glued parts hold together
together in preparation for and substances that come into the plastic-weld along their entire length, Wf3.p elastic bands or
assembly. Note that even the (3 liquid adhesi,-e is marketed by .\"licros(:ale adhcsi,-c tape around them, check continually
edge of the wing root has ~
under thar name) category em occ:tSionally be that no slippage has meanwhile occurred
painted Zinc Chromate Yellow.
used to close up gaps that \\ould otherwise between left and right or top and bonom
This forms part of the main
wheel well. The assembly at the n ..q uire filling and filing - fWO chorcs that I. hah'cs, and lea"c ,hem to dTy lhoroughl~-_ This
top right-hand side of the photo and 1 suspect many others, dislike intensely_ is where :a useful and simple modeling tool
is the wing spar_This guanntees I}crsonally, I ne,-er use enough adhcsj'·e. comes into its own - allaeh oTdinar~' household
mat me wing dihednl will be set 0ver the years, and maybe remembering the clothes pegs along the wing leading and
at me correct angle. d:ays when models ,,-ere marked by the amount trailing edges. This can be prefcTablc to clastic
GETTlNG STARTED 25
tD 4 4' •.
-
ABOVE The kit's engine cowl that the wing to fuselage alignment is correct Illside the well. Sway braces to kccp the
fits well even without glue.The and the dihedral angle is right. If so, each inboard undercarriage doors in place in rhe
flaps are connected via three undercarriage leg can be located and set ;1t the down position also need to be attended to,
hinges per side. Different hinge correct forward-rake angle, taking care to view although these will usually be part of the kit.
partS are used depending on
these from head-on and from each side to When the oleos hal'e dried firmly, attach the
whether the flaps are raised or
ensure that the toe-in IS also as per the original wheel well doors thaI: have been pre-painted,
lowered. Ideally. if the flaps are
aircra£[' It is very important [0 consult a and fit the wheels to their oleo pins..\hny kits
to be depicted dropped. they
should be left off until after reference photo or twO for the correct "hang" provide a choice bet\\een hub blanking platcs
painting to avoid accidentally of the undercarriage legs., as kit instructions or "open" hub spokes. If the kit you have
breaking them off dUring can be vague and thrce-view plans simply chosen does not, and the chosen P--47 subject is
handling. wrong aboul Ihis delail. Also make sure that a late-war e.'\:ample, ",heel hubs with the spokes
both oleo legs are in line on both sides. The visible might need to be found from elsewhere.
legs an be left [0 dry out by suspending Ihe This sort of deuil is often hard to check:
model inside an uptuml-d box lid (or tWO paint aircraft wheels usually had hub plates but in
tins of equal height). Any suitable lightweight some theaters of war the ground crew regularly
object can be used as props [0 suppon Ihe left them off if they were prone to a build up
fuselagc and ensure Ihat there is no mo\'emenl of mud. Then there is Ihe fac[Or of different
of thc Icgs while Ihe adhesi\'c dries OUL wheel hubs being fined to laler production
Once the undercarriage anglc has been sel aircraft - but you won't find many P-17
(;orr<;etl}, work can be carried out on any exrra references going into such dClail, so the reliable
detail such as brake or hydraulic lines rhat need yardstick of "model whal you sec" holds good
to be run from lhe whl'Cl hub up inw the in this insrance. PholOgraphs arc once again
well. While wartime fighters were not nearly the most reliable guides and it is pleasing to
so complex in [his area as their modern day sec that modern kits (and decal sheets) are
counterparts, any small items you add 10 the increasingly including reference photos on
model should have logical anchorage points their instructions.
Wheels on fighter kitS have only recently conditions such as the variety fiued to Formula
matured to the point where we gel treads and 1 racing cars, for example - if only life was that
"flats" for an aircraft under load. This is a simple~
definite plus on behalf of the manufaClUrers bm So, in dealing with this kind of \'exed
do dH.'d: that Ihe degree of l03d is nOl excessive question, ne\'er assume anything; JUSt gi\·e the
to Ihe point where if the tires were as flat as model wheels to match those in the reference
shown, the aircraft would nOl roll. Many kits photos as closely as possible, You may say that
still have "round" wheels, in which case nobody ....;11 notice, which may be true - bur
make your own Oat area on each tire. Also of once you get an eye for these things., you at least
importance is to check the cross section of the know .....-hat looks better on your own model.
wheels supplied in the kilo While things are Before leaving the subject of p...\i wheels,
much better in this respec1 !.han £hey used £0 be indi\'idual examples of the earlier machines
in the dars when tires were generally too thin sported a variety of designs on the hub plates.
.....hen viewed from head on, manufacturers These included white sta~ numbers, different
can still slip up. In addition, the tires should segments painted in squadron colors and even
ha,"c the corn.'C1 tread p2uem: a dose srudy a reproduction of the unit insignia - rake a
• of photographs and manwls re\'eals noticeable close look to see what can be detected in
differences over the length}' production lifetime photographs. You may well come across a nice
of an aircraft such as the P-47. little extra detail that can be added to further
Apart from references to the fitting of low- enhance the model, For c.umple, on late-....-ar
pressure tires (not necessarily on P-47s), not P-47Ns, idemi£)' on flight lines was enhanced
even the manufacturers of tires were closely by repeating the aircraft number on the
identified with supplying the wartime aircraft mainwhee1 covers.
companies, Republic in this instance. The
houschold-n:;amc m:;anufaClUrers of today were FINISHING TOUCHES
doing just the same during the w:;aT. Our Final detailing of your P-47 includes loc-ating
how man}' pt.'Ople can Slate categorically "P-47 the propeller, running an aerial wire from
wheels wcrc always fitted with Goodyear the radio mast to the fin, and auending to
tires"? If so, how much did the patterns vary? any ordnance you wish the model to carry.
Wartimc US combat aircraft did not, [Q my P-47 propellers had at least four different
knowledgc, havc different tire compositions blade shapes but the most important thing is
and tread patterns for different operating the source of the manufactutcr because their
GETTING STARTED 27
•
---
S~
~
ABOVE Aeromaster sheet product was nOlit:eably differcnr. Does thc the bombs, tanks 3ml rockets they can fit on the
AMD48-71 includes spectacular reference indicate the Curtiss Electric type sprues. Faced with all of this, the novice may
markings for a hard-working (quilC poimcd, with blade cuffs) or a Hamilton not realize the stress limitations that prevcntcd
P---47D in natural metal. The SlandarJ, which was broader without (uITS! the entire lot being loaded at once!
decals perfonned perfectly. with
The hubs ',-ere also different, Ihc Curtiss ')"PC Various sub-types of P-H - and most other
no Q-nier film visible even
having a more pointed front end while the H$ fighter types - were built and/or modified to
before a sealing coat over the
had a rounded, more domed appearance. rake '·anous types of Stores, so some familiarit}'
markings. The meGllic surface
was wetted with Micro Set While there may eYen be a choice of with serial numbers of the variants soon
before the decals were applied. propeller in your kit, the radio aerial will be a becomes a necessity. Even armed with the
A thin coat of Micro Sol setting standard fitting. Cheek that il is of the right information that explains on which sub-types a
solution was brushed over the height and strong enough [Q support the aerial particular item of ordnance was carried, field
decals to ensure tnat they wire. using thin fishing line or stretched sprue, modifications to update older aircraft can hold
settled right iow panel lines.. add the wire stretched between the maSt and hidden pitfalls for the modeler. In WillC combat
Step by step photographs on the fin. A small drop of rube cement should be units older Thunderbolts rarely gave war
achieving the nawn.! metal finish enough to replicate the condensers, which arc entirely to new replacements, as there was an
on this model will be dealt with
often the only items visible in photos to provc acute shortage in some areas. \Vhen you 3re
in Chapter 6: Special Techniques.
that therc was a wire there at all. Anchor the aware that it was not unknown for a front-line
wire firmly with superglue. group to receive a half dozen P-47 sub-variants
Selecting the drol' tanks, bombs or rockets at one time, the notion that for example, the
your Thunderhoh (,.';Jrrics will depend a lot bubblelOps replaced the razorbad:s is, as a
on the wartime date. Different drop ranks and general statement, far from truc. This brings
ordnance were introduced progressively on the record of actual e,-cnt..., p1:l.ccs and dates
wartime Thunderbolts bUl kil manufacturers into the realm of modeling more than mighl
get carried a wa)' sometimes and throw in all initially be realized.
GETTlNG STARTED 29
RIGHT The completed P-47D.
unit's final color recognition markings and as model kit bombs look less than amhentic but if
one would expect, a preay beat up appearance. Ihis old type matches the size you need, simpl)'
Invariably the shiny, recent replacement cut the pins ofT thc "smooth" half and stick
bubbletops can be noted on the same flight line two male/female halves together. You'll need
- all of which makes modeling the American to havc several kits or a heahh)' spares box to
wartime fighters a fascinating if occasionally get enough male or female halves, bUl this is
frustrating pastime. preferable LO hacking an inlegr3l rack ofT the
Lastly, our P-47 needs fuel 10 get to the thing.
target and something to attack it with. Here Also irksome are bombs with grooves in the
again reference to color phOlOS will confirm the surface to enable them LO altach firmly. Once
shade of paint used on the \'arious types of a~"3in, many recent kiL<; comain correctly scaled
drop tank, but there arc guidelines. If we lake attachment points for bombs and drop tanks,
the standard cylindrical I08-gal. type, the complete with tiny screw down clamps which
ruling was that those manufactured in the UK WCtC usually angled inwards from the carrier
were painted gray while those tanks from 1.:S rack. I feel that pins designed [0 penetrate
production were NME Anomalies occur when the surface of kit bombs is all right provided
pholos indicate a darker shade of color on that the scale is correct. Firm altachment of
lanks as these were sometimes taken from ordnance can be trieL:)", especially if the model
aircraft and stores daring from the rime that needs to be mo'·ed around, so an extra drop of
camouflage was in usc. Another reason 10 cement may be vcry necessary to keep them in
check those dates. place.
As 1.0 the design of tank hanging under your Formnalely, many of toclay's fighter kits
subject: model, photos (and experience) will also pro\'ide separate bomb fins. In a
soon enable you to sort out the cylindrical continuing attcmpt LO obtain true scale
from the fiat type, even if the aircraft is viewed accuracy the manufacturers are achieving
in profile and the tank is hard lO see in vcry acceptable thin scclions in these tiny
those shadows mentioned before. Thc leasl components. Bm there is a limit to whal Ihe
confusion is provided by a le:lrdrop-shaped molding process will stand. If you be3r in
75-ga1. tank. mind that no plastic bomb (or rocL.-et) used
When it comes 10 adding ordnance., the on a P--47 kit (in any scale) would look out of
I)'pe and color of bombs carried by P-47s must place with fins the thickness of a piece of
be taken inlo consideration. ThanHully, typing paper, you'll quickly reject all but the
model kits have finally reached a level of \'cry best and vcry thinnest of kit components.
sophisTication that has made toolmakers largely This will unfortunately clean out almost all
stop the practice of incorporating the rack into your plastic armament stock because so many
one half of the bomb. Such molding-in makes bombs have in the past had fins that wcre far
GETTING STARTED 31
CHAPTI'R 2
REFERENCE SOURCES
odelers of wartime USAAP fighter dimensions and ~o forth, providing lhal the
REFERENCE SOURCES 33
,.,
RIGHT Squadron/Signal
Publications cover a huge range
of aircraft subjects in their In
Action series. These soft-cover
books are presented in a
P-47 Thunderbolt -i::' I
standard landscape format with
50 pages each, packed full of
photos and scrap view drawings.
The center pages feature
color profiles.
written evidence, plans and color drawings, plus The vanety of published referem;es
some color photos. Unfortunately it is not always outlined above prol-ides the modeler setting
possible 10 extract all the information required up a library with most of what is needed to
from a single \'olume. There are books that complete a number of plastic kits. There arc
indeed trap almost all there is to know bet \\een many very good value titles on the market and
two covers hm this is hardly e\'er the case in although a high price will often be asked for
regard 10 widely used aircraft such as US Army imported books, tlllS additional cost is offset by
fighters, so vast is the subject. Taking all war lhe fact thJt full color books do not appear
theaters together, fighter color schemes run into every week.
the hundreds if not thousands. In Europe there has been a steady flow of
Another fascinating area of markings that published data on USAAF fighters despite
has been given the hardback hook treatment in Ihe fact that some favored series such as Profiles
recent years is nose art. There are various liLIes and Aircam have long since disJppeared. Osprey
available but for the subject under rel,iell' US has done much to redress any perceived lack of
Fighter Nose ",lrt by John and Donna Campbell an informative, English-language aviation book
and Jeff Ethcll's The Ili.anr)' oj" /lircrllfl ,\'0.\( series with their highly acclaimed Aircraft of the
Art arc both indispensable guides to the Aces, Combal Aircraft: and Production 10 Front
subject. The latter volume not only shows the Line series.
reader the original calendar art from which Some of the titles covering aces have
many of the pin-ups stemmed, but some presented many hitherto unknown marking;s
biographical notes on the artists themselves. details to delight lhe model maker. The
The Campbell tome is handily divided into \'arious authors of these titles also do their best
theaters and although not always prm'iding as 10 unearth photographs to back up the color
much caption detail as hoped, the hook can profiles (which are usually of exceptionally
set an enthusiast on the trail of the rest of the high quality), as lhis is ultra-important to the
aircraft, as of course only the front end is modeler. Types such as the P-40 Warhawk ha\'e
usually depKted. One exception is the artwork received little prior covcrage with regard to the
widely applied to the cockpit doors on P-39 most successful pilots who new them after the
Airacobras, a fighter type that remains 10 be American Volunteer Group had completed its
researched in depth to determine further stint in China and Burma. Carl _I'vlolcsworth's
details, including III some cases the RAF serial two titles covering the 1'-40 units operating in
number. The question is: did the aircraft the CEI and rvlTO are the most comprehensive
have one applied or not? A model could be yet on the markings of a vcry significant
incomplete without iT. airplane.
REFERENCE SOURCES 35
•
REFERENCE SOURCES 37
RIQ-fT Motorbooks produced a
series of books on ain:;rah., called
In World War Two Color. These
books offer valuable detail into
the colol"S of ain:;raft in service,
and the effects of weathering.
exotic in its broadly imerprcted camoullage. have a handful of groundbreaking titles thaI
Unfonunately, the upper surfaces of real are at the core of any collection although these
fighters arc (unlike models) rarely photo- do not appear very (requeml}'. Authors of
graphed from above and behind to show the sueh works of reference need to put in years
full camouflage panem. of research in order 10 I.:omplete their
To return to the books, most of us know that manuscripr..., which does at least give the buyer
when a highly desirable new reference title a breathing space!
appears on the market it IS far better to buy
sooner rather than later. Such mlumes ,'ary USEFUL UNIT HISTORIES
notoriously in the size of their print runs and if
you defer your pUI'chase, the demand for the One area of special interest to the indi,·idual
first edition may be so high that you find studying USAAF fighter operations is the
yourself waiting around for a reprint. There is, unit history. Often put IOgether by one or
in some cases, no guarantee that this will more c.x-flight or groumkrcw veterans of
appear and you arc reduced to scouring the the unit in question, these books have olle
second-hand shop&, or stalls at book fairs and thing in common ~ high prices. The quality,
air shows. The last resOrt may be the speei:tlisl unfortulUtcl~; tends 10 \':1ry l'Onsiderably frOIll
dealer's list. But if Ihe book was so popubr the photo-packed excellence to \'olumcs thai arc
hr!>1: time :tround, you may wait years for a copy very modest with "ery few illustrations of usc
to tum up. in model making. On the positi,-e side, the
The antidote to all this is to commit to information and photos may be quite unique
a steady book purchasing plan to a,'oid and as we are losing World War 2 scniccrnen al
disappoinnncnt. All aspects of a\'i:ttion history an alarming rate due t'O the passage of time,
REFERENCE SOURCES 39
Other fomage, taken by pilots and groundcrews
Dana Bell's who werc in the variolls war zones, is also
a\':lilable. If )'ou'rc building a vidco libra!")', the
Aviation Color Primers
JPM5-USA National Com'ention Special, Virginia Reach, August 2002
scries from AVI enrirled Tht Gatti PlulI(J
includes llluch 10 inrerest the modder. It covers
thc main USAAF fighrer rypes in some
No.1: US Export Colors ofWWII dcpth, placing rhe aircrafr in a historical
context with interesting conremJXlrary footage_
Such \'ideas ill\-ariably consist of a mixture of
monochromc and color film, the laner bringing
forth some re:al eye openers regarding salient
details of interiors. landing gear, propellers, :llld
so fonh.
Equally good from rhe detail JXlint of view
arc copies of wartime inSTrucrional films, ,\hieh
include walk-round c:\:tenor checls and full
flight data. Using a good quality \'ideo recordl."T
incorpor.uing a reliable "freeze frame" control,
this foorage may tx: palL<;ed and srudied at kisurc.
Ongoing computer sophisticarion means that
srills ma) also tx: obtained from \'ideo as well
as thc Intemer.
Film sources can undoubtedl~ add 10 an
indi\'idual's knowledge of CS fighter color
schemes during World War 2 because film
has a fascinating habit of turning up some
anomalies that arc not quite as per regulations.
}\ (ull color image of an aircraft mo\'ing across
a screen can hardly be challenged as t1efinitive
reference.
"". A_
oorro......._ " •.,'(liOI:
___,....
,_
~'_.I:...
s·_ ,,""
_ .. y ..
.."
~_
, ,.... ,
.__
(~
. . ' ' ' ,...... _«O".F_"..... _ ..... A__.
~~ r~
so,r~.,.
. TO~· A"'.-.
, ..."" ..... _
.... I"M"••;,'....)
j"A ..... ~, ~ _ " ,,"" _
""«.."'.. cs_•.,."' .... ,....·
\Vith all this data coming at us from all sidl.'S
and in various mediums, surprisingly there arc
- ..... ,....""'1 ,.,j." (S~s:>l·M '·_ 1
~I'IZ of"",1 st:ill gaps to be filled, e\'en in conncction with
something as familiar as the combat markings
of USAAF fighter groups opcrating ttl the
ABOVE Occasionally. limited lr.lde stands and other auractions. In the CK, European Theater. Certain units seem to
edition reference works will be venues such ,1S Duxford, Olr.! Warden, Biggin havc had less coverage than others for yarious
made available. This excellent llill and the Royal International Air Tattoo at reasons and the fact that a short pIece of film
summary of US export colors of Fairford arc supported by a large number of finally confirms something Ihal has been in
World War 2 was self-published
book dealers and model kit stockists and rhc doubt for decades, is \'cry ~tisfying. The same
by historian Dana Bell to
cnthusiast is often able to combine half a year's goes (or the aircraft flown by the top pilots as
accompany his seminar at the
2002 IPMS National Convention.
purchasing ar various other outlets to ol)(ain well as the rank and file - there is nothing quite
The pn:'sentalion of this stapled all his needs at one or two shows. Xumerous like seeing their images on mOVIng: film.
book is simple, but the bargains in kirs, "ideos, photographs and Finall)~ there is that relatively rl.'Cent hut
infonnacion is outstanding. cphemera arc available and if you miss onc of incrC"Jsingly popular addition to the home
the c\ems early in the ye-.lr, there arc usually cntert:linmcm SUile, the llVD player. This
two or rhree dozen more latcr on both hcrc syStl.'ITl offers images on disk of the Ix:st a\-ailable
and abroad. The main sho\\s with an airdispla}' quality and significanrly superior (() videotape.
element are imerspersed with smaller ('\'ClllS 1'\umerous telc"ision programs arc put straight
such as jumbles and book fairs, enough to onto LWD, enahling rhe enthusiast: modcler to
keep the enthusiasr away from home for e,'cry purchase b'"OOd qualiry comb:n footage as soon as
\\cckend of the year. or as long as the wallct will it hits the local supplier.
beJr it.
THE "x" FACTOR
VIDEOS
And yet with all the data currently available on
IlithCTIO unsccn film records of World War 2 US fightcrs, some questions will remain. j\loot
combat continue to appear as commercial videos.. modelers will ha\'c expericnced rhe situation in
REFERENCE SOURCES 41
flJG-fT In addition w Aircraft of
the Aces, Osprey PtIblishing
offers several other aviation
series.
which an artr:aetivc color scheme has been \'isible on phologrnphs. So you need it for a
noted in a new book or on film. The time, model but can'l find il- what then~
place, unil and cvcn pilot are known, but the Forlunatd)' Ihe forward fuselage dala block,
final few derails important in the finishing of a if readable, will yield those derails. But if they
sale model arc still missing. Se\'eral wartime can't be discerned, and a similar situation is
US fighler groups dispensed wilh serial duplicated a few limes o\·cc in conjunction with
numbers when Ihe fins were o\'erpainted with different aircraft types, then iI's no wonder
unit markings; bUllhat doesn't mean Ihallhere thai many kits languish. Sadly il is a fact of
is no reason to unearth the serial number if life that lhis remaining data may lake years to
only as a clue 10 Ihe manufacturer's block surface as reliable reference. My advice would
number and Ihe equipment changes il would be 10 proceed rel,'":lrdlcss: finish the model in all
ha\'c had over the previous one. Serials arc the the markings you can confirm and worry about
key to variants and technical changes thai may the missing serial number !ater. Alternatively,
be important for a model. Although the make up a lypical serial number for the type
majority of lighters did display rheir AAF in question or add a zero or two in pla<.:e of
identity on the vertical tail, not all the digits arc missing numbers to remind you.
n this chapter, we'll take a look at the history being me latecomers in that they were nOt ready
AVAIlABLE PRODllCTS 43
Table 1: list of US Army fighter designations, 1935-45
Type Manufacturer Notes Type Manufacturer Notes
CW·21 DelTon Curtiss p'oouctian for foreign XP-S3 Curtiss project anfy
customers
XP·j4 Swocse Vultee protorypes only
CW23 Curtiss oroduction for foreign Goose
custOfrers
Xp·55 Ascender CJrtiss oraject on'Y
YI?-25 Conso!'cated p'ojeet onfy
P-26 Peoshoo-er 5oei"9 produc'ior for USAAC & XP-56 B.od orth'op p-ojec only
lore'gn CUsfOfTlefS BJIe'
YP-27 CC>r'l5Olidated project on,y XP-57 Tucker lightweight lig~-er oroject
YP-28 Consolidated praiect only XP-58 Gain lockheed oroiect onfy
lightning
YP-29 Boeing p'oject only
P·59 Bell Airocomet prototype & test series
P-30 Consolidcted producion for USMC
XP-31 Swift
P-6Q Curtiss project only
Curfss '-st monoplane design
oy COtnfXlf'y; preleci any P-61 Black Northrop proouc'ion for USAAf
Wicow
P-33 Consolicoted pro:ec arly
XP-62 CJrtiss OfOjecl only
XP·34 Wedel~Williotns P'ojed cesign fe-
Ilghtvveight hgh'er P-63 Kingcobro Bel production for loreign
custOMers & USAAF
P-35 Seversky proouCion lor foreign
cJs'omers P-6L North American proouction for fcre:gn
customers
P-36 Hawk Curtiss oroduction for USMC &
:oreign cuslome's XP'65 Grumnan F7F Tigercat forerunner
YP-37 CJ1iss deSign forerunner of P-40 P-66 Vongl.ord Vdtee produc'jon lor :oreign
customers
P-38 lightnirg lockheed p-oduction for USAAF XP~7 Bet W.cDon'lel1 rx0ieCt ony
P·3Q AiToco:xo Bel p-oouc'ior lor USAAF & XP-08 TorroOO Vu!:ee PfOjecl on.y
Io'eign cLslOmers
X?-69 .:<:epublic p'oiecior 01 P-47
P-AO Wornawk Cur-iss oroducfon ior USMF & design; p-ojecr only
:oreign customers
P-70 Douglas daptation 01 A-20;
XP-41 Seversky project orly producion for USMF
XP-L2 CJ'tiss pro"eet only XP-71 CJrtiss orojecl O'lly
P-43 Loncer Republic p-oduction for fore;gn XP-72 Republic orojection of P-"7;
custome-s project ony
P·44 Rocket RepubliC proCUC"ior lar foreign X?·75 Eage risJ-er p-ototy:oe cesign 101
C JS'OfTlefS e~ort hg,ter ~ircohO()
appliL-d by the front-line squadrons. :'Jeedless there were so many c-'\:amplcs in in\"cmory
to say, the Stateside fighter training program when lhe fightcr groups generally changed
was hugc and required a constant supply of o'"er to the 1'-51. Ikst known in this respect are
AVAILABLE PRODUaS 45
probably thc P..·I7Ds of the 5th Emergency plan, a specially formulated paint, a custom pari
Rescue Squadron, thc markings of \\hich ha\'c or a new set of decals.
been wcll documented. Arguably the leading journal of its kind in
the Ltc, SA.M carries full lists of actual kits.,
EXOTICA forthcoming rele:lses and fascinating, weU-
founded rumors of fmure presemations from all
The years of thc late-l990s - early-2000s o\"er the world. In any given )'e:tr the enthusiast
saw a positi\'c explosion of new hIS, many of modeler will be able to update an C\-er-<;hanging
them from Eastern Europe and the former "wants" list purely from the pages of this one
Soviet Union. These products swelled the kit publication. To show what is actually happening
market to a significant degree, leading to in the real world of competition modeling, the
new manufaClurers making an impact with kitS editor and staff regularly attend shows to feature
of aircraft that had rarely been replicated the best exhibits. With the advantage of
previously. Thus such American fighters as being almost full color throughout, SAM is
the almost forgotten Vultee P-66 Vanguard and undoubtedly a good buy.
Republic 1'-43 Lancer, not to mention the France and Germany have become leading
one-offs and alsQ--rans, joined the ranks. producers of top quality modeling journals,
Part of the first generation of US with the advantage that a slightly different
monoplane fighters, those mentioned were design approach pro\'ides the reader with some
largely imended for the export market and exceptional pholographic spreads of featured
morc familiarly appeared in foreign rather than full-size aircraft, invaluable to compleling
American colors. In some cases, particularly in models. Among these lilies are Aero Journal,
Olina, these deliveries re\-erted bad: to US ALions, Jet f5 Prop, L'Albl/ln and Repli,. Of
control where they wore that country's national course the text is nOI in English, but thcn ab'3in
insignia, often for Ihe first time. But whare\"er phofOgraphs arc international. Should you
thc circumstances, if fighters and prototypes of peed these publications but do not wish to
what mighl be termed the adolescents of an incur additional bank charges by personal
industry still malUring ill the early-19.ws wore foreign currency transaction, subscriptions
the ,,·hile star on a blue ficld, then they may be may be placed in the UK through The Aviation
included in a USAAF model collection. In this Bookshop or Midland Counties L'ublications,
""ar a true chronological history can be created among OI'hers.
in miniature.
Currently the international kit market CLOSING THE GAPS
makes this possibility much more realistic than
it once was. nOlh the 1'-66 and P-43 arc kitted The Widespread availability of American fighter
by Air Collection ami Classic Airframe types in kit form has accelerated in recent years.
respectively, to 1/48 scale, a model size that This has significantly extended the possibilities
rolls on with a burgeoning after-market list of of interesting new color schemes - there has
accessories seemingly appt.'aring on a monthly ne\'er been a better time to construct a table-top
basis, My earlier remarks about the Curtiss air foree. While all the core USAAF Iypes have
forerunners of the P-40 appt.'aring as wanime been kined al some point in the three decades or
kits must ha\·e been overheard as I note thai the so since the hobby of plastic aircraft modeling
US company Joe's ~lodels has now added a established itself, a few gaps remain.
YP-3i to its l/iZ-scale range. Today more kits arc oo\'cring hitherto lesser-
If the modeler needs to keep p:lce with known ,wants almost to the point where, for
en:rything that is released, subscriptions to a example, aU the wartime Mustangs from the
number of journals and periodicals will be d~ XP-51 to the P-51H can be built in bolh the
rigu~ur, Titles such as Scak /It-iarion i\1od~/tr most popular scales. The main question for the
from the UK and the American Finc Scale modeler is whether the L:it is 1'0 the scale he or she
MoJ&r arc \"Cry on the ball, publishing as they fa,'ors., but I\'e rarely leI that o'·errule the
do many fCviews of kits, decals and producr..'i purehase of a favored type. Pro\;ded it's no
from paint to power tools. The former of these smallcr than 1/72 scale, I go for it. But in terms
t\\'o ma!orazinc.<; is sllCCifie to aircraft kits while of scale accuracy it S(.'ems 10 ha\'e been inevitable
rSI\1 is general with the advantage of carrying that some aircraft ha"e lent themselves better to
small ads for some of the more specialist the scaling process than others. To paraphrase
products from mostly US suppliers. Anyone of a well-worn saying, when it comes to plastic
those advertisements may ofTer the rcry item aircraft kits, size docs seem to matter if it's
you need to complete a model project, be it a quality you want.
•
In general the original American quarter the vacuformed and multi-media kit is brought ABOVE Academy's P-47D
scale has hislOrically sen'cd this purpose better into the equation. These latter types of kit Thunderbolt offers a fairly
than :my other. The standard was undoubtedly play a ke~' role, as some aircraft arc not yet simple parts breakdown,
set by Monogram, a company which as long obtainable as injection moldinb'"S in the larger accurate outline and plenty of
ago as the 19605 pl'Ouuccd a range of 1/48- scales, particularly 1/32 and 1/24. Less robust ordnance.
sC:llc kits that left the rest of the industry than injection molded kits, the v3cuform
standing in terms of 3CCur'lCY. It took years for process offers the skilled modeler a real
the manufacturers concentrating on producing challenge as there is mUl;h more work umkr
kits in 1/72 scale to catch up, which they now the skin before the final result emerges.
hayc to a degree.
But for years the modeler of this undoubtedly OUT WITH THE OLD?
convenient s(;a!c had to cut, sand, mix and match
almost c'"cry part of the airfamc to obtain a :\lany seemingly e.~tinct kits arc back on the
decem 1'-51, P-47 or - well, you name it, that market, re-released in the;r original boxes.
accuracy challcll!,'C \\'38 always prc.~cnr. Quite Whether or not this is a good thing is a matter
why this situation prc\'3ikd for so long is hard £0 of opinion; for these kits, if largely unchanged
[1tholll. Monogram and a few other 1l00abie since rney were first released, arc sharing shelf
manuf:u..turcrs surely had no monopoly on rneir space with items thaI are delinitely superior in
sources of reference 10 lr:lIl,<;fcr me dimensions many important respects.
of a full-size airplane into a metal mold and O,"er the years kil'S hal'e been obliged. for
ullimatcly a good plas6c conso-union kil. To \'anous rea.'iOns., to change their badges and
show that rney could worl.: me trick in sizes orner appear "under new management," such as the
Ihan 1/48 scale too.. when rncsc manufacturers Japanese Otaki line of 1/48 lighter kits which
occasionally n:nturcd into 1/72 scale rney heal is currently a''ailable from Airfix, There arc
Ihe established opposi6on hollow. plenty of orner e.xamples. The modem scene
The modeler of today beginning to build can therefore be quite confusing: which kit docs
kits of American fighlers has a significant the newcomer chose? One answer, apart from
ad\-:.J.mage O\'cr his contemporary of, say, 19/0, reading re,'iews and keeping filcs on the details
, All the mainstream USAAF aircraft can now
be built in a \-aricty of sales, particularly if
therein is ask members of a group of specialists.,
who should be able 10 answer such qucslions..
AVAILABLE PRODUQS 47
Economics han; not surprisingly, govcrncd to find liule or no choice at all. But by the
the plastic kit market since day one. All latc-l950s Ihe LS modeling scenc had got
manufacturers make a substamial inn.--snncnt underway with several quite exotic kits, which
every time they decide to release a new many UK modelcrs considercd way beyond
injection molded kit and for Ihat reason thc thcir means allhc time. Thc linc-up ineluded a
molds Seem to survive even if the parcnt P-47N and a number of Navy fighters and jel
comp:!n)' goes to the wall. This happened to thc types in 1/-1-8 scale from such manufacturers as
well-known UK range of Frog kits when the Lindberg and Aurora.
molds were shipped to Eastern r::urope III the Soon other tirms including a hard-core
days when the Iron Curtain still cxisted. group in Japan, added furthcr type.s and unless
Despite dire predictions that kits such as thc the modeler was particularly quick at building
1172-SC3le Curtiss P---WB would nc\·er be secn and painling, another option had arrived in Ihe
again in the West, thc situation rarely (x;curred. local store before the first k.it wa... completed. It
What did happen was that specialist suppliers, was therefore hard to a\·oid suning a collection
still able to obtain rarc kits, hiked Iheir pnccs, of comparable models even if this had not been
sometimes 10 Ihc point of absurdil); with the original intention.
largely unobtainable (and often very basic)
models becoming potential moneyspinners for 1/72SCAI.£
the fell'.
Re-rclcase of older kits stabili"les Ihe market As the 1/iZ-scalc modelers passed through the
and brings prices back to a more realistic scvenries and eighties, they saw things gradually
level. This is an important consideration if improve in tenus of the quality of US fighter
the younger modeler - those the hobby must kits and must have been quite cnvious at' times.
auraCl in order to keep it alive and viable - More versions of the most famous fighters
perhaps with limited funds to spare, is to were also "discO\·cred" by the manufaclurers,
persevere with a pastime that these days has undoubtedly assistcd by regularly published
enormous competition from Olher sectors of "wanl" or "wish" lists in the specialist model
the toy and lcisurc industry. press.
1\01 Ihat thc modeler of American fightcrs Things picL-t.-d up only gradually hO\\c'I'cr;
has real1~ had much ClUse to complain of any onc or two manufacturers e\'-en turncd the
lack of tbe essential raw materials with which clock back by releasing appallingly inaccurate
to work. There have always been kils of })-47s, models, a particularly bad Muslang in 1/72
BELOW The USAAF used P-38s and 11-47s., or so iL~ seems and cvcn if being recalled by the writcr some lime after
several British aircraft in Europe. they were once tcrrible, well, it was that or rival firms had gO[ it more or less right. These
including various marks of the nothing. You have to go back to 1he dark a~cs of wcre also the days when complctely nel\'
Spitfire.ICM offer a Spitfire plastic modeling in the UK to a point before companies appeared, and ,llthough they alien
Mk.VIIi with USAAF markings. Airfix released their first 1I72-scale 1)-5ID, started their range with the inevitable (and
safe) Spitfire, Hf 109 and perhaps a rvlust':mg.
wc hoped for bcller; and the subjecl mailer
indeed got more ambilious.
Decal companies also began to explore the
potential for offering far more comprehensivc
subjects Ihan the small shcets that accompanil.-d
the kil parts padctl in a bag or box. This was
fine, provided that enough good kits could be
purchased 10 build, for argument's sake, a
rcprcsental'ive 1'-51 from cach of the Ei~hth Air
Force groups.
In 1972 Lesncy Products ma.d!,; a
contribution towa.rds the mass production of
models by releasing an acceptable P-510 in
their Matchbox range. llere was a kit that while
only basically dctailed had the right outlinc
shape and could bc built in some numbers, Ihe
rcsuh looking well enough to hang dCC:l.ls on.
l....atterl~ Ihe R\.,,·dl concern, nO\\ an amalb"3Jl1
of German, British and American interests with
some buying-in ofJapancsc molds, has rek':lS<..-d a
further range of ll72-scalc fighters, among them To bring things up to date, Hasegawa has
a P--IOK, P-51 Band D and a P-47M. The laner recendy released a second P-47D razorback,
is particularly goOO and probably lhe first rimc which from all accounts appears to be a suitable
that anyone has secn fit to label a late production replacement for the earlier kit thai is no longer
P-fiD update as such. AL<;O, i[ is only recemly generally avail:tble, The smaller scale end of
that i1 has been possible to buy a P-4QK marketed the markel now looks healthier in terms of US
by a mainstream manufacturer as such In any fighter subjects than it ever was.
scale, Lesney/ Matchbox had a stab at a razorback
T-bolt and at least achieved an excellent rear
"M" FOR FINESSE fuselage profile, accurate enough for the inspired
Although it was changed considerably under the modeler lO cross kit this with some parts from
skin, the 1>-47M was c:tternally similar [Q the others to produce a good representation of
P-47D-30 and D-40, me Re\'ell kil providing Republic's mighty machine,
the useful bonus of mcluding a separate fin 611eT.
Yes, I know we'\'C all hand cut Thunderbolt 1/48 SCALE
fin filletS in the past but the section is very thin
in [his scale and the fairing-in was exacting Moving up a scale, the pinure vis-a-\'is accuracy
and took considerable time and effort. N()\\; as of oudine is and \\--as, much more satisfying.
with numerous other examples of P-47 kits, the From the day in 1%7 that l\-lonogr-am released
manufacturers ha\-e removed mat chore. But to their superior 1'-470-25 bubbletop complete
remm 10 an earlier mcmc, how long has il taken with cylindrical and "flat" drop tanks, bombs
to markel a decem "bubblctop" P-47 in this scale? and M-1O rocket launcher tubes, the art of the
The Revell !)-47M is not the only useful plastic kit look another upturn. In this scale
Thunderbolt in me popular smaller scale to hit a new Monogram release rardy disappointed.
the sheh'es, as Hasegawa pul OUI tWO \'ersions Bold enough 10 in\'cst seriOlL~ money in ever-
(razorback and bubbletop) in [he seventies, both larger kitS in 1/48 scale, this US concern
of which were pra&-d in thcir day. I always fclt delighted the modeling world wlth ever more
lhey were a shade under-sized, lacking the desirable, popular - and some quite esoteric - kit
chunkiness that one always associates with the subjects.
T-bolt. This was particularly [ruc if compared to \Vhen the p~6l came out in 1974, the
Ihe old Frog razorback. standard of kit looling took another gianl leap
AVAIlABLE PRODUCTS 49
ABOVE Cutting Edge's resin fon\'ard. h beat Ihc prcYious l>esl of this aircraft makes an interesting comparison with thc
replacement cockpit for the in the larger scale., mat from AurorJ, a company P-61. Reccntly the USAAF night fighter trio
P-10BlC seen in dose-up, Today's that was cert;;ainl~' a plastie-kil pioneer bur has been completed by Academy's P-3S:\I, a
genen.tion of cockpit sets unfonunalely lacked the design expertise 10 be \arialion on their existing P-38J IL kits in 1/-+8
feature exquisite detail, and they found at ~ 10rlOn Gro·,-e., Illinois. No OIhl..T US sale.
are available for a wide range of
manufacturer seemed quite able to equal
USAAF fighter ain::raft. Brands
such as Cutting Edge. Black Box,
.\lonogram's prolific program of new 1/48--scale AMERICAN SPITS
rel~ which spanned some 30 years. There Also \ery importanl to Ihc AAF order of ban Ie
Aires and CMK maintain a very
high standard of detail. were subjeeLS Ihat the company did not b'"Ct was Ihe Spitfire in various marks, mamly the II,
around to while it remained independent. Sold V, VII, IX and XI, thc laller a photographic
to Mattei before being absorbed by RC\'ell, the reconnaissance varialH lhal did sterling work.
expertise of irs dcsi~,'ners now appears under a The Spitfire kit picture in ] f.l.8 scale was not
differem label. "fhe Important thing is that the too rosy for many years: Monogram was Ihe
quality of the kiLS has not slipped. first to put out a 1\'lk IX thai was not quite rhe
Not that the name on the box really company's best effon, although again the
matters as long as the contents are accurate., inclusion of a cylindrical belly tank showed just
well molded and, hopcfuliS depieling a \-:lriam ho\\ careful the company WllS in its rcsc:trch.
that has not prenously appeared. Huge Then Otaki added their \'crr acceptablc .\Ik
duplication of kit subjocts (many, it must be vn, Airfix followed wilh a .1\1k V llnd before
said, being of US fighters) must ha\'e had a roo long we all got some reliable prmtcd dctails
delrimemal efreel on the sales ligures of on Supermanne fightcrs marked with "stars
some companies, particularly if the kils they and bars." These rC\'ealcd that there were
produced appeared to be o\·er-priced. As a rule many more American Spitfires than we'd e\'er
though the piclure has been positiYe e\'en if the imagined. During the 1990s, four more
build up of different aircraft types, and the companies released I/-+R-scale Spitfires. These
filling in of long standing gaps (such as an comprised Hasegawa, with seyeral variations
accurate 1)-4713), has been slow, on the Mk V, l'vlk V1I1 and Mk IX; Tamiya, with
Over the ycars Ihe Japanese brand leaders, a Mk I :llld a few .'vlkVs; Ocidental, with a !'olk
particularly I Iasegawa and Tamira, ha\-e LX :md Mk XVI; and ICi\I, with MksVlI, VIII,
masten"t! thc an of releasing types Ihat fit IX and XVI.
neally into what was a Monogram-clominatcd
scale but without 100 much duplialion. EARLY NIGHT FIGHTER
Tamira's 1997 release of a Bcaufighter is a Finally, there was the P-70. An eXI..-client l/-+S-
ca..<;e in point: finished in American markings it scalc Douglas Han>e from AM"I:'ERTL broke
AVAILABLE PROOuaS S1
although the later model Thunderbolts were is quite short: 1'-38 (2); P-40B (2); P-40E (1);
more commonly filled with zero-length P-4iD (2); P-5IB (2); P-51D (4); and Spitfire
launchers. Some of these rockets had shaped- (2). Even the 1'-38 entry, the Revell kit, should
charge heads, which were not unique to the be qualified as bemg: a basic P-38J and an
theater as they were also seen on operational alternative "droop snoot" version using the
Thunderbolts in Curope. same molds but mcluding the necessary clear
nose section used by a navigator/bombardier.
LARGER STILL: 1/32 SCALE The P-40B total includes one conversion and a
full multi-media kit.
In terms of the number of available kits in One of the later Mustangs and one Spitfire
each of the most popular scales, the selection V, both by Hasegawa, are exeellenl while the
gradually dwindles the larger you go. 1'lodels Revell 1'-40E is a potencial competilion winner
in 1/32 scale ofTer quite a challenge but with provided that a fair amount of work is carried
e;.;citing possibilities for a very dramatic end out. The same cannot be said for the two
product. Limited in subject matter and Revell P-4is and the P-51B, at least not as
BELOW The subtle profiles of
showing considerable variation in quality, this they come from the box. Things are however
propeller blades are sometimes
scale seems 10 be relatively low in popularity, improving in this respect and Craftworks of
lost on model manufacturers.
Ultracast also produce accurate probably because of the work involved in the US has recently released a 1/32-scale
propeller blades. These are rectifying faults. So few are the injection- P 51B. Resin model manufacturer J- Rutman
Curtiss Standard Cuffed 4-Blade molded kits in this scale that lend themselves to has also recently released 1I32-scale kits of
Propellers, designed for Tarniya's 1:S Army markings that a list (subject to some the 1'-51B Mustang, plus Ra:wrback and
P-S I kits. current updating) of well established kits Bubbletop versions of the 1'-47. These kits are
very accurate and well detailed.
The other Spitfire V is another Revell kit
which was superseded by the later Hasegawa
offering. This superb kit is appropriate for
conversion 10 an early Eagle Squadron example
of a Mk Vc, as widely used by US units in the
.I>deditcrranean.
The j.\lustang listing rounds otT with the
two early Monogram kits of the P/P-51D
which were released both as a standard kit and
the so-called "llhantom ,Mustang," which had
a completely transparent airframe designed to
show the essential mternal details inside the
fuselage and wings. It came complet'e with a
control plinth that retracted the wheels via a
battery--Dpcrated lever and also released the
wing bombs.
If that kind of activity does nothing for you,
it is fortunate that either of the 1/32-scale
IVlonogram kits may be adapted to impro\'e
the Revell 1'-5IB, pnnClpally by enabling it
to borrow a nose section that suggests that a
Packard-,\lerlin is ll1side rather than something
with much more modest power output as
indicated by the slim nose of the 1'-51 B out of
the box. The chopping: and changing process
docs work and the result shows a spectacular
improvement in outline.
Many other areas of the Revell kit need
changing or modifying but an acceptable model
can be made, particularly if the kit's optional
.i.\-lalcom hood is chosen. This will at least reduce
the number of heavy hinges cut \llto the opening
sections of the sL'\:-piece canopy in order to
provide operating features. These are otherwise
acceptably thin and another example of "spoiling
the ship" for want of a little more care. But me With such \\ork carried out it could stand
real answer is to have a completely new canopy- \,...i th the P-WE as one of the best two kit.<; in
of either type - moockxl scparalclr As noted 1/32 scale by Revell, a~ no major airframe
earlier a new kit of the 1'-518 in 1/32 scale has modifications are called for. The Warhawk
been announced and hopcfuUy, it will render all and oLhers in this series arc re-released by
this hacking up of other kits unnecessary. the company from time to lime, so you won't
Incidentally, Revell latef fe-Iooled their necessarily have lO pay collectors' prices for
1132-sCJlc P-5IB into a 1'-510. Although them.
I've never secn the kit, it was apparently updated Otherwise most of these older l/32-scale
only in regard to the obvious canopy and kits can still he found in ~pccialist outlets:
fuselage changes., the many other errors being astute modelers, realizing that these wcre quite
perpetuated - c1l..':lrly an opportunity wasted. long term building projects, invested in a suite
Revell's option of a razorback Thunderbolt of drop tanks which wcre released as vacuform
h:ls some exciting possibilities in this scale - but sets by US manufacturers while the kits were
again the wmpany nearly ruined a potentially still relal il'ely new. Thus the P-38 and the other
fine kit by cutting corners on some important US fighters in lhe series could have their
details. \\"hcn thl,; earlier kit was joined by a distinctive additional fuel tanks, few of which
1'-470·25 bubblcrop, it was disappointing in actually were provided in the kits at least on
that [he designer had mi~ealculatcd the shape their first-run release. Later kits did include
of the canopy, It lack~ the characteristic high tanks, however.
point of the hood aft of the windscreen The l/32-scale Revell P-38, P-40 and P-4-7
sLx1:ion, nuking it impossible to use unless a all contain removable panels to expose areas of
replacement can be molded. the engine, which can of course, be dctailed
ol'er and above what the instruction sheet
THE P·38 LIGHTNING recommends. Allhough the 1'-38 kit only
Re"e11 also gave the modeling world the sole includes one Allison, there arc enough model
1)-38 in this scale. Like its single--engine engines in [his scale to add the other one and
contemporaries, the o\'erall size is impressi\'e detail both if required. With both power plants
and with work, the fighter can be made £0 In rilu and more panels removcd this could be a
look particularly com'ineing. Locomotiye style challenging projec!. Displaying each engine
rivets coyer the entire airframe in the majority s.eparatel~ adjacenl lO the model itself is an
of these kits, the Lightning being no exception altemati\·e. In any e\"lmt, some work certainly
and a substantial amount of smoothing down needs to be done in regard to engine panels on
is necessary prior to assembly. But with a these large-scale kiTS, as those on both the 1'-38
basically good outline shape, the big Lightning and P-47 were st:emingl}' afterthoughts with a
goes together well enough, with the prospect of poor fit.
adding a considerable :lmount of detail to bring Finally, a 1/32-scale RC\'ell Bcaufighter
it up to competition-winning standard. could be completed as a USAAF night fightcr.
AVAIlABLE PRODUas 53
•
ABOVE Separate control USAAF "Deaus" carried the stanuard vanety wooden but the larger size enables limbs to be
surfaces are helpful when of arm"ork and names as applied to other types reset so that your own composition may be
depicting deflected ailerons and and there is a choice of variants. arranged.
rudder, or dropped flaps All three of these large-scale kits \·ary
and elevators. THE GIANTS: 1/24 SCALE considerably 111 detail and design approach.
\\-'hile BandaT opted for a smoother surbce
At 112-+ scale there arc three P-SIDs, by Airfix, with acceptable scribed panel lines (including
Bandai, and morc reccnLly Trumpcrer. Kone optional transparent covers over the gun
unfortunately is without its nail'S, but dedicated breeches to show the detail) Airfix went
work and a degree of cross-killing should bring overboard with countersunk rivets which \\Tre a
about an extra special model that is undeniably liTtle over scale. Numerous coats of paint will
impressive. Airfix again miscalculated the nose reuucc the effect of these but the kit's outline
contours and repeated the same eTTor for a errors incline the modeler more towards the
second time on a 1/72-scale P-51D. The profile Japanese product. The latter shows a \'aried
of the Trumpeccr P-51 kit nose is also poor: approach m that it has zero-length rocket
this new kit has other shape deficiencies 100. But launchers molded mto the wing undersides.
the sheer size of a .MusL1ng in this scale is Airlix also provide HVARs, but with separate
inspirational, ideal for the really long Term launchers. The Trumpeter kit features relatively
projects that can incorporate a massi\'e amounT restraineu surface texture compared to its 1/24-
of scratch-built detail, perhaps incorporating scale counterparts, and a generally high level of
brass etch and!or resin components. demiling. However, specific items including the
Whether or not you model figures to go cockpit and the machine gun leading cdge
with kits, the l/24-scale Mustangs also inspire fairings still need plenty of extra work.
The keen modeler to incorporate the pilot. Being Each kit contains parts to build up the
large enough to be of recognizable human engine, the result of which is, not surprisingly,
proportions, he might look good leaning on The a substantial sub~assembly in its own right. By
wing or posed getting into or out of the cockpit, spElling the servicing access pancls in a similar
perhaps clutching a handful of maps or holding way [0 the real thing, Airfix make it relatively
up live fingers in time honored fashion to signify difficulT 10 leave the engme out, should this be
The achievement of "ace in a day" status. ~lany preferred 10 save time. Displaying the J\lcrlin
model figures appear a little squashed and rather engine as a separate subject alongside the
SOURCES OF SUPPLY
AVAILABLE PRODUCTS SS
RIGHT A mind-boggling
selection of general accessories
is available for the 2lst-cenrury
modeler. PiCtured here are
replacement 20mm gun barrels
and colored resin stock for
creating formation lights.
BASIC CONSTRUcnON 57
RIGHT This shows the kit as
originally built, an Austr.l.lian
P-39.A1though initial
connruction was free of majo..-
problems, a couple of basic
shortcomings of this model were
not addressed the first time
around. These were the thick
tr.I.lling edges and the uicky fit of
the characteristic "car doors_"
The first issue was ignored.The
second issue was initially avoided
by depicting both doors open.
Reconditioning commenced with
the removal of detail parts.
Fortunately. parts including the
undercarriage legs. gear doors
and car doors were secured
with Superglue. Superglue
provides a strong join, but it
does not actually weld plastic
parts together in the same way
as polystyrene cement. Finn
pressure is often sufficient to
break the britde bond without
serious damage. Small details
were stored in a ziplock plastic imariably break the railplanes down into six two pariS of a new ,·crriallailplane and finding
bag to ensure they were separalc sections (top and bottom solid an annoying: joint line or step has to be sanded
not Ion.The next wk was the section plus a pair of elevators) and perhaps away. Understandable? \\'e1I, this poor resuh
removal of decals. First, brown
also pro,·ide a pin which passes through thc is often only lx'(;ausc Ihe instruction sheet has
packing tape was applied over
fusc.bge to support the ele,'aLQrs. been foUm\cd to Ihe lencr: what one should
the tOP of the decals, then
ripped off. This method is usually This in 10m is the result oflhe s:lmc design do is to make Ihe necessary curs to remme the
very effective at removing decals, team opting for a similar appro:lch no mattcr existing cailplane and anach the male aod
but these markings proved more whal lhe subjcct may he. For the moddcr this female hah-es separately, before cementing the
stubborn. Even the generous approach is a mixcd blessing. II may add up to fuselage as a completc half in the usual way.
application of decal softening increased building time, especially if the solid This T find minimizes the risk of crealing a
solution made no difference. tailplane, as per our example, ends up looking stepped joint, onc that can be surprisingly
There was no choice other than exaetly lhc same as the morc complex onc difficult 10 remove once the fuselage hahes are
to sand off the markings. first once the lancr has been assembled. It is an together. Once dry, the inside face of the
with a sanding stick followed unfortunale fact of modeling lifc that extra fuselage haH~ thl; edge that takes the adhesiw,
by progressively finer
sub-assemblies do n01 always guar:anll;e tbat, can be sanded down. This is important as Ihe
abrasive paper.
for c..xample, trailing edges of n) ing: surfaces alternate pari may be slightly deeper than Ihe
end up as thin as they should be. fuselage.
AnOlher factor is the highl) accl;ptablc The genel"31 advice here should be thai in
increase in Iargcr ahernate pans such as nose some kits, Ihe separate parts pro,"ided for :In
and tail sections. These are either included in ahernate \ersion cm be slightly larger or
the kits as standard injcetion~moldcd parts or smaller than Ihe main fuselage moldings, or so it
as solid resin sc.uions which are designed to scem.<;. The difference an h:lrdly he measun..-d
bun joint an appropriately truncued fuselage but it will be revealcd the minute the adhesi\c
in the aS€, say, of a new nose. Such a large new dries, so always be alert to the risk of a bad fit.
section obviously requires areful alignment Othenvise, )ou'll invariably find out :lboUI il at
and use of an effecti"c adhesi,·e, because in thc an advanced slage of construction. II is doubly
main resin is a good deal denser than plastic irksome to ha\e to sand do,,·n more than usual
and therefore heavier. or in e.xtremis to havc to prize a sub---assembly
apan to re-:llign a bad joint.
TRAILING EDGES & JOINT LINES Remedial work is of course a possibility, as
we can see from lhl: accompanying images of
In reg-.Hd to buildin!;" an alternative version of a the P-39 reconditioning, but in modeling, as in
kit, I surely cannot be alone in having made the many other aspl;cts of life, prevention is betler
understandable error in cementing logether than cure.
• OTHER TROUBLE references than you do. a... the n~uhs somctimcs
refUlc this.
Years of I) ing dormant :u \-aTying temperatures A few examples will emphasize the problem.
can have a dctrimcnt'al clTl."Ct on older kits, the Thc Lesney Matchbox P-+7 in 1/72 SC'"Jle has
parIs of which appeared to be a perfect fit when a ra7.0rback profilc t1ut makes it a desirable kit
il was purchased. to tackle although a glance at the conte11lS of
Some components do not :l.gc well at all. thc box almost makes one wince. The kit
Unbeknown 10 me the "rcal rubber" PVC tires sprues were originally colnred a bright pO\Hlcr
issued in the Airfix 1/2~scak P-510 lost hlue and navy hlue - hardly an inspirational
their flexibility over the years and have almost choice, but typical of most of this company's
molded themselves sulid to the wheel hubs. early products. Two-tone plasl'ic was different
This and uther large kits du nut always ofkr to the way most other kit's were sold and the
a plastic ahcrnatin:, so if the rubber boots marketing men appeared 10 ha\'e belicvcd Ihat
have perished, findin~ replacements might be this approach was a winner,
diffil.:ull. If you hal'c ,h(,'Sc kits in the luft it may This particular P-47 has some redeeming
be worth chl.'Cking un the state of their tires. features but others that arc nor so. Although
the airframe outline aft of thc engine firew:all is
CORRECTING A P-47 acccptable, there is much rcsen'alion on the
• Diffcring design methods of achicnng the vague way the cowling flaps arc presented. The
same end may frustrate the modeler who likes cowling itself scems to fall into one of tll"O
to cross-kit to obtain a ~..u oJ result by utilizing categories used by manufacturers of 1/72-scale
the best f(,:3turcs of se\"Cral. Let's assume that Thundcrbolts - too slim or 100 f.1t.
a 1/72-s1.::1le 1)....7 is being made: there will The .M:atehbox lit errs in the former
be two methods of mating the winb'5 to the category, which is marginally harder to correct.
fuselage - butt-jointed, or as a one-piece lower But assuming that an alternati\'c cowling is
St."Crion which incorporates part of the lower not to hand, the flaps need to be rcmo\"ed
fuselage.. the objct.1 presumably being to obtain and replaced by a corrcrtly scribed, thin strip
the correct dihedral angle and a more aCCllr.lte of Plasticard or a sct cut from another kit.
10wt.T fuselage line when "iewcd in profile. This Other fuselagc details need attending to at the
docs not always happen, of l'OUrsc because model same time, particularly the \·cntral inukes and
kit manuf:at.'turcrs arc only :IS good as their exhausts associated with thc function of the
reference sources and occasionally end up as supercharger, plus the w:lSte gates in each side
oonfusc..-d :IS the rc!>'t of us. Don't assumc th:at of thc fusclage. As molded. all [hese deuils are
they n0CCSS3rily h:a,'c much more (;umpreh(:nsi,-e 100 small. Thc distinctj,·c turboblowcr intakes
•
BASIC CONSTRUCTION S9
and exhaust doors in the lower front fuselage MUSTANGS IN DETAil
also need improving before lhe next stage A long tcrm fa\·orite with modelers, me Nonh
in conslruclion is reached. One option is to Amencan Mustang line began in model terms
smooth down the cmire fuselage at the with the larer production \'crsion, the P-51D.
same time as re-sl.:ribing the cowl Oaps. Sets of Rardy did any other variant see the light of
Airfix and Frog P-47 kit wings can be made to day for years and [hose that did were less than
fit without loo much filling. fortunately, the worth mc effort. The brcakmrough came when
Matchbox kil, in conunon wilh many orner Accurate Miniatures released Iheir first four kits
Thundcrboh modcls, has slraightforward burl S(lme years ago. The Allison-cngine examples
joint top and bonom wing sections. Be warned were follOYi·ed with the recent P-51B/C kits,A..tI,1
Ihough, the sheer time taken LO conven one climbing me P-51 \'lIr1amladdcr from the right
lin-scale P-47 into what il is supposed to be direction, so (Q speak.
in Ihe first place is disproportionately too high in thc larger scales the Mustang fared
at time.-". quite well, the American and Japanese model
The building up of one or more spares boxes companies ,ldding it to their respective lists on
can prove invaluable in any conversion work a regular basis. Hawk created something of
with lin-scale plastic kits. "Building up" is a milestone with a 1'-510 in 1/48 scale, which
r.uhcr misleading Slalcmem, as spare parts tend firsl appeared in 1962. For years Ihis was the
to accumulate rapidly seemingly without yardstick againsl wruch other Muslang kits
much help from the modeler. The source may were judged and there was an interesting
be unused e...tra pans supplied with kits to rider to its appearance. IP.\'lS USA's Qllarur/y
build alternative n ..Tsions or, as is SO often the Journal ran a review, complclc with a list of
case with military aircrafl, large amounts of items necessary LO delail the kit, plus some
ordnance. Everything is worth keeping for future Technical Order manual drawings of the
usc although I have to admit that after a few years cockpit interior. Unfortunarely these werc in
you have more spares than you'll ever be able error insofar as the manuals wcrc for an 1'-510
10 usc. In something of a "C.1tch-22" situation, rather than the warlime model. The upshot
as kits improve, SO thc need for doing your was thai model ]\'Iuslangs began to app<.-ar with
own customizing lends to lessen but spares radio aerial wires stretching from Ihe canopy
slill aocumulate because multiple e.'l:amples oflhe to the fin. These were nor actually needed
same kit will of COUTSC keep yielding an almOSt on World War 2 Mustangs hut few peoplc
equal nwnber of spare itcrns. appeared to know this including model
,
manufacrurers, who Slaned to market kits with beyond compare yet prints an accompanying
a liny hole in the canopy to lake the wire. photo that can contradict this.
Later kilS, such as that by Fujiffii were not
really superior, despite in [his case, a full set of GETIING INTO THE P·51
moveable comrol surfaces (the Hawk model Cnderstandably one of the mOSt popular of
had none) including flaps, engine detail and so model kits subjects, the superlativc 1'-51
fonh. Separate flaps were quite unusual items f\iJustang in all its guises ....'lIS a war winner in
to .find in any plastic kit at that time, which every sense of the phrase. From its British
is rather odd, as mo\'eable ailerons (rather inspired origins to occupation dut~· in a defeated
pointless items for an aircraft on Ihc ground) Germany and Japan, Mustangs flew thousands
have long been staple items in kits. The pity of of sorties 10 speed Allied victory. Along the way
it was thaI Ihc rest of this particular Fujimi kit they were painted in a dazzling array of color
suffered from some obvious outline errors that schemes and personal markings, enough to kl:ep
tended to put modelers off. the enthusiast modeler in work for as many years
Tamiya's subsequent release of a much as the P-51 remained operational. That time
superior 1'-51 D was followed by a P-51B in this span would of course tale in the colors of
scale, another example of manufacturers, ever numerous air forces other than the US but the
mindful of the competition, filling up gaps in units equipped with il during World War 2 have
• their own list. I)ity the poor modeler, who may gi\'en us hundreds of markings schemes; so
nOt, for various reasons, wish lO aUlOmatically many that a modeler could happily spend his
purchase :all the Mustangs and Thunderbolts in entire time making only models of the 1'-51 if
a g1\<en scale as Ihey appear, tTy1ng lO sorl out that were his choice.
which is the currenl best. In a world where For years the only injection-molded plastic
lOday's hil is IOmorrow's second place kiL, he kits available represenled the revised, bubble
mUSI be confused at times. Added to that is the canopy P-51D of late-1943, six variants or so
fact that the afler-market firms always seem [Q into Nonh American's eventual production
• go one bener than even the mOSt highly praised cycle of some 15,000 examples. But nO\\~ the
kil b}' releasing corrected pans even before whole range of the aircraft that originated
}'ou've e\'en acquired the kil and noticed it to be with the NA 73X of 1940 may be built in model
• e\'en slightly below par.
The only answer is to read as many reviews
form,
BASIC CONSTRUcnON 61
;
somc kits ha\'c on Ihis componcnt part. It such a kit remember thaI lhe array consisted of
would bc a ycry coarse piece of \\'ood indeed a fore and aft rod and a cent'ralloop. As such
that slil1 showed lhc slightest trace of grain an addition can he a lin1c delicate it is best
C\'cn in 112-l scalc, so all the modeler needs to to fix it to the inside face of each lin half
do is to paim it an appropriate color and add a before assembly. In this way whatcyer mater;31
little discoloration in the form of faded or ;s chosen, either plastic or fine wire, it c:an be
darkened patches. anchored firmly.
i\hny operational V-SIs had the mechanism
at the lower end of the control column RECYCLING
protected by a c:am'as or k":lthcr boot, \\hieh
is usually represented in kits. This is painted With lhe foregoing comment'S in mind it is c1(.':tr
in an appropriatc shade of dark brown to that the avid modeler 11';11 ine\';tably accumulate
represent le:lther or lighler brown to indicate ,1 stack of kits that arc at best superseded by 01 her
fabric - although I am lhe first to admit I have newer one or arc in gener::ll terms unusable, at
no idea if and when the difTerem materials least on the f::lee of it. I found this with the P-IO.
were used. My gues.s is that ea.r1ier aircraft used I la\-ing acquin..-d nwnerous 1172-scale kits of thc
k":lthcr but as production built up, a cost sa\'ing type o\er lhe years I found the :\10nograrn
was made on the m;e of this material, and a P--40:'\ was there in abundam;c in my abandoned
ehc:aper fabric was then used. bo:..es. :\1y liking for late-war fighters in general
t\ \\"arbird or any good close-up photograph was the reason for this, lh::lt and the fact that
will rc\"Cal salient points about the P~5l which no P-I{)l\" W3S otherwise available - in any SClle
might need slimming down for greater scale - for dectd(.'S, I built a few of the !vlonog:ram
accuracy. These include lhe central rod in offerings but neglected to carry OUI Ihe
the belly air intake; the "solid" or perforaled modific:ations n(.'Cessary to bring the kit up 10 a
engine breather plate on e:1ch side of the more reasonable standard. Was there still a use
lower nose; braces for the taih,h(.'CI doors (plus for a kit th3t was not only o\'erS/.:ale but also qUllC
an oleo dlLst boot); formation I;ght lenses and basic in that when [he large r;\'Cts were sanded
the curved, perforated canop,. brace in the rear away all trace of the flying surfaCOi disappeared
cockpit behind the pilot's head. too? As the inugcs in this ch::lpter shO\\;\,hcn
One item tha.t no ~1ustang kit I know of things don't tum out as expt-<:ted or hoped, all
includes is the 3dmittedly liny 3crials on the need not be lost.
fin for the ANI APS-1J tail warning radar.
Numerous operational P-51J)s had this set ONE SEAT OR TWO?
filled at thc cnd of the war and the aerials arc One of [he most aesthetically appealing of the
quite dc:ar in photographs. When modeling wartime fighter trainer conversions, the P-l-O
BASIC CONSTRUCTlON 63
R1Q-IT The only other addition
to the kit was il set of six-stack
exhausts from Ultracast..The
starboard door Wil.S glued in the
open position. The attractive
decals were sourced from
Cutting Edge Decal set
CED48146,Airacobra #4.
or all the lrainer conversions of i'llustangs, added in the fuselage aft of the standard position,
the P-51D is probably the most satisfying in making it another candidate for a (wo-seat fighter
modeling leTms with the added auraction of oom·ersion. Like almost an:rthing associated with
some unusual color schemes, such as the o..-erall the wartime USA...>\F the model possibilities are
red used on one example flO\\1l by the 4th mueh wider than they may seem as first sight.
Fighter Group.
Two sears were occasionally added under the
wartime P-5ID's huge canopy and there was
also a TP-51 D, which had an elongated hood
designed to give the second occupant greater
headroom.
At the other end of the fighter trainer
spectrum was the quite odd looking TP-3l)(t
With a second canopy perchcd on the nose
fOD\-ard of the original, the result was not only
the worst looking two-scat com'clsion but in my
view thc world's most: ugly aircraft!
.\'loving up 1'0 the Bell P-63, this had at least
m a projected trainer vcrsion, a second cockpit
T
hidden away under cowlings and so f(lrth. The earned a reputation for challenging
and task difficulty arc hard to quantify argue that mosT USAAF fighters give little fit, especially around the wing roots
with absolute pn;cision: the answer choice to view (he interior ho\\"Cvcr detailed and the engine cowl access panels.
has surely to come from a personal viewpoint. a kit may be unless The modeler resorts to Ocher WarhawklKittyhawk variants
That kits carry labels stating that rhe contents artificial cutaways or a complete strip down were developed by AMT but, for
unknown reasons. were never
arc intended for different levels of modding with the airframe pared to the bone, as indeed
released. In 2002, a new company
expertise surdy docs not inhibit the purchase- it might have been during a major sen'ice. called AMtech finally used the
yet some people may find that the complexity However it can be rewarding to opt to f(Jeus first of these unreleased molds
of the components, particularly rhe multi- on one or two areas of The kiT. ·j'bere is plenty of to launch their P-40E
media type kit, indeed represents a task more scope. Relatively few of (he smaller scale kits WarhawklKittyhawk Mk la.
difficult than imagined. have pro\"ision for open gun bays for example The P-40F Kittyhawk II was
Some accessory kits have noll' reached the but cutting these om and adding new ones powered by a license-built version
stage that used to be morc associalcd with from Plastieard can considerably enhance the of the famous Rolls-Royce Merlin
engine.This development was
model engineering. They incorporale a range finished item - and they're far more likely to be
intended to improve high-altitude
of non plastic parts that require a different visible than flaps, which on some aircraft at performance of the P-40, which
approach to attaching such minute components least arc hardly ever seen in the down position. was greatly il1ferior to it5 Axis
as flap hinges, oleo scissors and dive brakes. Some might also argue (hat multi-media comemporaries. However, in
These after-market kits are fine for those who accessories can be disproportionaTely expensive the final analysis. performance
require such ultra-fine detail but cerTain aspects and add greatly to the task of completing what was only marginally improved.
of modeling seem still to he a challenge as may alrC"Jdy be a fairly complex kit. Extra The P-40L was a further
rebrards the final, generally external, etYec!. time will have to be spent on (he building development of the Meriin
equipped Warhawk. This type was
Some often prefer to see greater emphasis stage, which in total hours, can almOST double.
intended to be lightweight (with
placed on the external finish, areas That can be However, multi-media accessories are very
the reduction of equipment,
viewed when the model is completed such as much up to the individual modeler, who must including the deletion of two
gun bay doors, stores racks and other "Things choose the one or two that will enhancc a wing-mounted machine guns) and
under wings" than parts that may well be particularly favored, detailed project. By no therefore faster.The disappointing
result was an increase in speed of
only around four miles per hour.
Many P-40ls were later retrofitted
with the extra twO wing guns.
Very early P-40Fs and ls had the
same short fuselage as the P-40E.
Later production machines
featured a longer fuselage and
repositioned horizontal tail planes.
AMtech launched their P-40FIL
"long tail·· version in eariy 2003.
This new company was not happy
with the profile and detail of the
fuselage nose as molded by AMT
AMtech therefore commissioned a
new, accurate solid resin nose to
be included in their kit. This
permitted modelers who were nOt
happy with the shape of the kit
nose to cut it off and replace it.
Less experienced modelers could
simply build the kit with the plastic
fuselage intact. In the modeling
project that appears in this chapter,
we will use the resil1 110se, address
some of the fit challenges and add
a detailed replacement cockpit to
the model.
ADVANCED CONSTRUCTION 65
mcans should the less experienced be retain a sheen), propellers will look suitably
persuaded to buy all and sundry c.xtras: should different to olher black areas of the kit. Don'l
they pro\'e difficult or frustrating to ineorpor:lte forget the reverse faces, particularly where
into a kit, the modeling community might lose photographic e\'idence shows the blade painl
anothcr would-be convcrt. to havc ocen worn away by the effects of
Ilowe....er, on the other hand, as the images slipstream-blasted sand. Aircrafl based in
that accompany this chapter show, the una desert areas often lost painl from propeller
time and effort dedicated to adding ad\'lnccd blades and sc\'eral references show the erTecl to
modeling detail 10 a kit, and the experience and ad\<lntage.
confidence gained as a result, l.-an make such I ha\"c a small horror of kit instructions
projects \'ery worthwhile indl.'Cd, that simply tell you painl seyeral areas -
blades, tires, guns and some cockpit interior
CHAUENGING THE MODELER instruments - black. I often wonder how many
people end up with models thai look most odd
In the following pages of this chaptcr, we'll in this respect.
attempt to highlight those areas of each of
the c1as.sic CS fighter models of World War 2 PLASTIC HORSEPOWER
that always seem to need special attention.
and more ad''lnced modeling skills as a rcsult, Detailing engines is a subjCd in itself :lnd man~'
irrespective of the kit and 1:0 some extl.-nt the modeler.; of US fighters end up with a sizeable
s(.'llc. stock ofPran & Whilne~; Rolls-Ro~ce or Allison
Beginning at the front, the propeller(s) of cngines, which are not always incorpor:lll.:d in
all wartime fighters bear scrutiny, as these varr the kit if it can be compleled wilhout lhe
10 a surprising degree e\'en between the same c..xtra work powcr-planl delailing entails. .\1ost
aircraft Iype to Ihe same scale_ Different manuf:1crurcrs producing kits in sc:ales from
manufacturers naturally design their propeller 1/48 upwards provide al least a rudimcntary
(.'Omponcnts in a variety of ways although some engine block if only as an anchorage point for
time ago thcrc was simply one, an integral thc cxhaust~. If the engine is used, few sclf-
spinner with the blades attached. Th(."Se days, ro;pccting modelers would dream of letting it be
propeller blades are increasingly presented as viewed without some additions_
three or four separate items plus at least t\\·o Wartimc piston engines were complex and
more for the front of the spinner and its back exhibited masses of pipes, supports, fuel lines
plate, The latter is usually molded wilh pick-up and wiring, some of which arc visible even with
points to hold the hlades rigidly in position - a single panel removcd, so again it is up to
but this can provide a challenge insofar as you individual tastc as 10 how much extra work is
need to manually set the angle of each one. put in on a part of a kit Lhat can otherwise be
There is some flexihility here of course but do hiddcn - or trcated as a separate component in
check several photos to get typical blade anglcs its own right. Suffice to say that if extra engine
correct. detail is undertaken, the result can often be
Two-piece spinners are relati\·ely straight- most impressive.
forwanl on aircraft such as the P-40, P-38 For the sakc of economy, some smaller kit
and 1'-51, with the proviso [0 ensure that both engines havc what would be separate items
halves go together wilhout an annoying: Step such as clcctrical leads or small diameter
that may be difficult to !'>and smooth once the pipes., molded into Ihe plastic block, so these
blades are In position, should be carefully remo\'ed and replacetl with
Should you kel that the propeller blades new brass etch, thin wire or stretched sprue
supplied in a certain kit are undersized there components to gi,"e a more realistic threc-
are seyeral afler-market alternati\--es. The US dimensional cffect.
Kendall Model Company (KMC) of Miami Enbrine bearcrs or mountings on wartime US
offers one. I have [\\"0 of their resin Curtiss Anny fighters consisled of quite substantial
propeller blade scts for l/48----scale P-Hs that lcngths of round or flat section sleel, the latter
are excellent. Thc pointed-blade type is often being drilled out 10 saxe weight. All the
ad:tptable to \'cry many Thunderboll kilS that larb'Cr SCl1e kits incorpoT:lte these distinl.1lyc
may ha\'e the blades a Iinle too short, pieces, as do SC\'cral in 1/48 scale_
I spray propeller blades almost any color If the kit is designed in such a way that
other than straight black. By adding a minute Ica\'ing out the engine inml\'es adding blanking
amount of blue, grccn or brown to mall black platcs behind the exhaust ports and maybe
(the laller nOi stirred up complctely so as 10 somc imcmal bracing, Ihe engine might just as
well be used and enhanced a linle. Going a Clearly there arc many who detail engines in
step further and deciding to show the work 1/72 scale as if the work was second nature but
\'ia detached inspection panels will, as many personally I prefer to resen'e this acti\'ity for
modelers will know, involve reducing the the larger scale kilo Eyesight may well playa
lhickness of the plastic. As they come, most part here, but to some of us rhc larger kit can
plastic parts ha\"e over-scale edges to allow the be that much more impressive because you
adhesive to be applied. This entirely practical can more readily observe the work carried out.
approach docs not however allow realistit; It is of course perfectly possible to pick al
display of remo\Td panels without some work engine dell1iling, i.e. (0 do just that amount of
with scalpel and file. work to show what goes on under one panel
A study of many of the fine references on one side of the fuselage, as indeed many
to aircraft POWt;r plants, particularly the \Valk kits recommend.
Around and Detail In Scale series of books, will .Many kits inspire you to go several stages
rc\eal (apart from many small ancillary ilems further than the raw materials supplied. I find
that can be Iflcorporated in the engine area) this to be particularly true in 1132-scale kits,
fhin melal snips around all the main inspeclion some of which represenl only the raw material
panels. These wcrc punched at inten'als to for an endless amount of super dctailing in
accept ri\·ets and hold the remov'Jble panels \-anous area of the airframe. Depending on the
in place. Such strips arc hard to fit after much configuration of the full-size aircraft. there
assembly has taken plaa:, so for an engine will be \llrious SCi:tions of intake trunking,
detailing project they should be added first. associated mesh dust filters, as well wiring, that
This is not necessarily because all the panels can be incorporated by scratch building.
are to be refined but the fact that the support The P-tO is a ease in poinL It is fascinaring to
strips show up as bright yellow chromate on see hull' for example, the engine cooling system
many reference photos. Miss them out and the worked on this fighter when the entire from end
lack will surely be obvious, as will the fact thai is exposed. The modeler could be inspired to
they are ser too f.1r in if rhe plastic walls have build up the three circular air intakcs under the
no.[ been thinned down. engine proper and add as much additional detail
In addition to preparing the bays to as possible.
make them more realistic, work on the engine Either of the two 1/24-scale Mustang kits,
itself can be as extensive as the individual which contain an impressive number of piece..<;
modeler Wishes. to build up the main block, supercharger,
ADVANCED C{)f\ISTRUcnON 67
dislocaled cngine panels will nced to he rested
against lhe wing: or tailplane or laid out on the
wing. Obviousl~~ hinge an~' panels that were not
normally detachcd and add any retaimng rods
necessary to hold them open if the kit sprues
do nOt include them. If a more elaborate S(."Cne, A
perhaps incorporating figures, is reqUired, then
the panels rna}' be plac<.-d. on trestles or other
work benches. Alternatively', they can simply' be
b.id on the ground adjacent to the aircraft.
BATTLE DAMAGE
ADVANCED CONSTRUcnON 69
100 per cent accurate if Ihe final result is to
be convincing. These areas come into what
might be termed the "male or bn:ak" category.
T.1king Ihl.: modcls through in numerical order
of design~tion it is easy to identify where each
could fall down if these b~sics arc overlooked.
Although the world's manufacturers currenlly
seem bent on rcproducing all thc main combat
fighters in aLi their sub-types, plus prototypes,
onc-()fTs and e\'cn "paper pb.ncs" in kit form.
\yc can'l CO\'cr thcm all here. Of those aircran
projects that wcre allOC:lled type numbers,
rclati\'e!y fel\' actually entered full-scale
production for USAAC/USAAF sen·ice. As
noted in 'Elblc I on page +t, the rest exisled
only as prOlOtypes or pre-servil.:e test examples.
SEVERSKY P-35
Although its was a lale--1930s. pre-war design,
the P-35 was one of several obsolescent fighters
that found what modesl fame it garnered
under US (:olors during Ihe debacle in the
Philippines. O\'ertakcn technically as wel1 as
tactically by the rampaging Japanese, the P-35
tried valiantly to hold orr the likes of the
Mitsubishi 1\6.\1 which sll'epl O\'CT Clark Field
in the early hours of 8 December. Overwhelmed
by the oppo~ilion, CS pilolS ne\'CTthclcs." g-JI'e il
back in enough mcasure for the modem modeler
to include the tJJ>C in a representative fighter
collection.
Color schemes for both :'\'\'IF ,and
camounag(:o examples may be found for Ihe
linlc Se\ersky, well exemplifying the US
transition from peace to lI'~r after Pearl I Iarbor.
As with the 1'-36, IIobbyeraft and Academy
seem to have followed each other to release the
1)-35 in 1/48 scale, there being little to choose
between them in terms of fine surface delail. I
AFY::JVE TOP Some of the If a number of items are to be detached fccl thaI Ihe Academy has captured well the
differences in shape and panel from the model for display purposes, the contours of the 1'-35, and reproduced lhe
location can be seen in this builder may well opt for a diorama type exhibit hump-backed appearance of lhe original \\ilh
comparison between the resin by placing the aircraft on a suitable base. A its modest dimcnsions. i\'lolded in lighl gray
nose and its plastic counterpart.
diorama. does nOt of course ha\'e [0 enend to plastic Academy's kit is very delicate - to Ihe
The resin casting plug, as
indicated by the vertical line at Ihe ultimate realism of greasy mechanics, oil point of being adversely affected by any
the back of the part, must be drums, bowsers, cnt;inc hoists and work stands rubbing down of joint lines. Surbee scratches
sawn off to achieve the proper but merely a neat group of dctached partS that would normall:y disappe-.lr on other kits
fit inside the kit fuselage. displayed, preferably [0 show off any markings. persist on the 1'-35, so a heavy-handed
On the other hand, replicating a full size approach will cause problems, particularly if an
ABOIE The kit fuselage halves sen'icing scene is an anracri,'e proposition, so N.MF scheme is chosen.
are marked and a razor saw is again Ihe final design of the display is to the
used [0 make the (W() shoTt cuu modeler's choosing. CURTISS P-36
per side required for the
A rugged and mean performer, Ihe P-36 found
conversion.When you are
marking and cutting, always cut a
FAMOUS FIGHTERS arguably more fame in French and Finnish
little less off than you think will rather than Americ';In hands. But as one of
be required. It is easier to trim If we look at .the salient design points of the the few USt\AC fighters Ihat managed 10
before fitting than filling and \':lrious USA!\F fighters, we find obvious areas knock down some of the Japanese attackers on
sanding a gap afterwards! that should when duplicated on a model be Oeeember 7, 1941 it has an indisputable place
ADVANCED CONSTRUCTION 71
,
Ihe cn!,olne cowlings instantly disdnguishes a Icg to balance the model would probabl~ be
P-38F/H from a P-38J/L but there are more singularly unsuccessful.
subtle differences lhat the kit tool makers may As with any tricycle undercarriage aircraft.
not nea:ssarily ha\"e picked up" the problem of \\eighting lhe nose of a P-38
Giwn all these integral wmponcnl parts, the can be acute, as no modeler worth his $:lit
adranccd (;ol1version possibilities arc relati"ely would drcam of resorting to a lransparent tail
few with thc P-38 as the two distinctly diffcrent prop to kecp all three wheels all thc ground.
types of cowling for the Allison engincs havc Adding nosc weight to a model with an angled
Occn killed a numhcr of times., as has thc radar- llosewhecl might be a disaster, so the best
cquipped, night fighter twin SI.-ater, thc P-38;\'1. sulutjon may be to cirtum\'ent this and :lUach
As the "last of thc LighLninf,rs" just missed aerial the model to a baseboard.
comoo.t, the interest factor for somc modelers All in all, P-38s sueh as thaI from Academy.
will underst:mdably be borderlinc - but the Hasegawa and HobbY<"Taft in 1148 may safely be ,
aircraft doc'S 1001.": impressi,·c and makes an a5S<..'Illbled and finished quitc quicl;:]y, although
interesting comparison with the P-61 - in an thc S(.'COnd of the manufaet:urcrs listed hare
equally battered fini..m. Available photos show apparently built in quite a conSlruction
that rhe finish of the p-38rvl suffered almost as challenge to their P-3S). Judging from some
much weathering as iL~ earlier counterparl aner a re\,k'ws, aligning the tail booms is particularly
few weeks in the Pacific. The books lell us thai tricky which might result in a switch 10 the
the [WQ---SC:l\ l'vlkft the US in a glossier shade of Academy kiL~, which arc simpler in this respect.
black hUI it seemed not to ha\"c lasted too ,veiL The choice though is not easy as the detail of
The ra(br-equippcd P-38JVl's all-black color the Hasegawa Lightning is said to be excellent.
scheme lends itself to further comparison with One curious item [ found on thc Acadcmy kit
an early model P-38FII-I similarly finished in a is two mysterious bulges on the insidc faees of
man night fighter scheme. Pb.eed alongside the lhe enginc cO\dings. I'\"e checked thoroughly
camouflaged day fighters, this would be a nice without finding similar prolubcrances on the
contrast. The early Lighming variantS saw some full-size aircraft and can only assume th:l\ the
limi[ed Pacific combat as a stop g:Jp pending the loolmakers mi.<>interpret<..x\ the brightly polishl,.x\
delivery of sufficient P-6I~ oval SI.'Cn on the skin of almOS[ all Lighlnings at
.\lonogram were once ag:Jin the firSI lhal point. These highly polished O\-als actcJ as
manufacturer l'O sec the altrnction of a "nighl mirrors for rhe pilot to check thaI the noscwhl'Cl
Lighming" and offered it as an alternali"e was "down and locked" and were of course flat.
"crsion 10 their P-38L as long ago as 1966. Anothcr area. that n<..'Cds attcnding to on ,he
Beautifully riveted and paneled, the detail is all 1'-38 is the guns. ,Vlost model manufactul'ers
raised, but 1his call to turncd 10 advantage. The repl:aredly mold til esc with thc slotted band
kit includes some crystal clear transparencies jackets visiblc, irresJll:etive of the version. In
to go o\"er the raised second seat of thc P-38.ivI. faCI the gUllS of latl:t production Lightnings
I recently found details of one of four aircraft were 5(:[ into blasllubcs, as pel' thc P---J.7. That
that rcached Japan after the end of the war and said, 'it is a pity to change these as blasl lUbes
saw sen·icc with lhe 4lSlh and 421s1 Night are quite plain and can tend to indicate lhat the
Fightcr Squadrons, a good modeling topic. modeler has not bolhered to fit more detailed
As onc might expccr, the elimate wrought guns to his kit. Faced with such a "'can't win"
hawlC on the paintwork of these machines. You silUation, individual modelers might opt for a
might reproduce this finish with a coat of blad lillie artistic license and fit thc!.:it guns, \\hieh
o\er the sih'cr plastic, lightly sanded 10 bring out usually have nposed barrel jackets.
those raised rivets and panels. Lilerally rhc biggesl ehallcnge to detailing a
In common with other aircraft with a P-38 lies with the I132-5<..lIe kit from Revell. It
nosewheel configuration, the Ligh1ning looks definitdy nl'Cds to ha\'e all the raised ri\"ct de1ail
to my mind very impressive with the nosewheel rcmOI'cd and the main pancllines and the tlying
turned a few degrees off center. This is a surfaces n:-seribcd. After :l few applications of
personal thing, but one that many modelers wct and dr~; the rather thin pbstic trailing edges
will surely understand. -"at (hal model firms (no complaint mere!) of the wings and lailpbne
readily indulge me in this: [hey hardly evcr lose:t liuk oftheir crispness and some delail m:ty
separate the olco legs or mold [he forks at an need to be redefined around lhe trim tabs
angle to make the display of a £urned n05ewheci On this Ici[ the cotire nose pod - WllL';ually for
casy. This is invariably on thc grounds that the a P-38 kit - is a scparale assembly, making any
model's noscwhcd fork section would be evt:n additional features or the application of nose an,
weaker lh:m it already is_ An}' weight put on the names and scoreboards, that much simpler. ;':0
ADVANCED CONSTRUGION 73
ABOVE The P-40F's cockpit
sub-assemblies have now been
sprayed with a thorough coat
of flat black.
For years the only representation of the undertaken before construction t;ommenccs.
"King" in plastic kit form was a lin-scale kit Afterwards you can 1001: forward to wielding
by the Japanese firm Aoshima_ Shonly before the filler to close the gaps.
this book went to press howeyer ~U)M and
Toko added the P-63 to their lin-scale CURTISS P-40
injection-molded ranges. The \'aeuformed kits This type is dealt with specifically in the
from Wings of (he US are reportedly yery images that accompany this chapter, but it is
good, though this type of kit demands more worth detailing some more gereneri<: points
from the modeler in all stages of construction too on the aircraft, and the modeling produ<:ts
than is necessary with injection molded parts, availahle.
J\lPM has also extended its short-run range Adding detail to a P-W model wilJ usually
to a 1'-63 in 1/48 scale. Fit of parts leaves beb>1n with the air intake and the cooling naps
something to be desired and as is usual with at the IO\\'er rC,ll" end of the engine bay. These
limited run kits [here is much cleaning up to be ha\'e been molded fully dosed, fully open and
partially open, separately or inlcgr"l, depending an effort should hc made to cut the Ire,ld in. A
on the kit in qUL'Stion. Moving lYJ<.:k from this beller altcrnatl\'c these Jays IS to scarch Ihe
an::J, the belly rack for a bomb or drop tanks may custom parts lists of thc spc:nalist suppliers
have !O be added or at Ie-Jst impro\'cd b}' l:s.<;cntial who may well offer a set of tirGS wilh the
dClail. Fortunately perhaps from 3. modding (.'Orret:1 tn'ads in resin or 01 her material. This is
\ iewpoint, L:SA.AF War hawks lcm.kxl to ha,-e a marginally l':lSier in the smaller Sl-alcs ;I.e; 1/32
nC::ltcr SCI of four sway brdCCS to hold bombs in scale al"l"l'SSOrics remain in somewhat limitcd
place than did J...:jttyhawks of the RAl-; with their suppl~. Don't cut kit lires unless you ha\·c lo,
e.\"tr.l.ordina~· ca['s cradle of angle iron hanging bm on the other hand, don't l'Omplclc a P-+Q
bctwl'C,:n the oleos. with complelCly "bald" lires, as it just won',
The wnl'Cls of the real P-40 were almost look right.
disproportionalcly large and in common with Of :lI1l Ihe Warhawk kits produced it is
Olher 3in:raft, they werc usually fined with ralher strange that the majority of them ha\'c
If(~dcd rires. You would nOI have lhought Ihis been of the P-WE. NOlwilhstanding the
10 be Ihc case as far as kil manufaLwrcrs manufacturers' obsession with Ihe marketing
were concerned as for years they pcrsisll,-d in 0ppoTlunities of the sharkmouthed Flying
supplying only smooth tires in their 1'-40 kits. If Tigers, this appears a slrange imbalan(.'C, as
the subject you arc working on had those lovely lhe oribrinal AVG flew, of course, the P-40B. It
diamond-patterned tires (and the kit oncs don't) appeared at one timc Ihat no kit supplier worth
ADVANCED CONSTRUCTION 7S
RIGHT Careful painting of modeler now has the opportunity to build
str".lf>S and buckles CMI result in 'rirtually the emire front-line P-40 range,
a very convincing seat.
A well-painted pilot's seat looks REVEll'S P-40 IN 1/32
great through an open canopy, As it comes rhe original Rewll kit lends itself
[Q numerous P-40Es in sen'icc with lhe Sth Air
Force as well as the laller day Fl~'ing: Tigers
during their tnmsirional period 10 lx."COme
pan of the 23d Fighrer Group of the 14th Air
Force, This parricular unit also used the short
fuselage P--40K, so adding a fin fillet to the kit
expands the markinl,"S horizon a bit further,
Decals for \Varhawks in lhis scale arc not very
numerous so a resorl to masking and spraying
will be the only option for some camouflage
schemes. In any evem decals in lhis size C;ID
be rather obvious, so a "direct on" painting
approach should bring aboul a more satisfying
resuh,
As it comes out ohhe box, Ihe Rc,'c1II)-+o1::
box is one of the best of the singlc-sl-aters
feamrcd in the original 1/32 scale fighter
his sail could bear 10 rckasc a Warhawk Ihal did series. One reason is thai unsighlly pins either
nor fc:l.ture a sharkmourhed aircraft on the 00): 10 altach the transparent p;arts 10 lhe fuselage
top, forgelting thar most of the buyers had been or to hold opening SCClions in place do oot
thcre before. maT the canopy, I wanted to hand paint some
There are now scvcral IJ-JOB and P-W~ personal arl\\'Ork and employ stencils rather
l.:iL" but the version that runs a c10sc second than d<.-"C:lls for the national insignia, so this was
to the E model in US service, the F, was for an id<.--al kit to srart Wilh,
)1:'3.rS all bUl ignorcd as an injection molded The surface detailing is reslrained enough
kit subjecl. This ,'crsion, shown in the 10 bear only lightly rubbing down after a coat
photogr:lphs in lhc this chapter, powcred by a of pamr, Re,'c1l having captured the unique
Rolls-Roycc Merlin, lacked the characteristic "planking" effect of the Warhawk's fuselage
intake on top of rhe nose and had different construuiun well. The engine and some of
engine cowling contours to the Allison-engine lhe cockpit detail is convincing enough and
machincs, Other variations of the Warhawk, although some viciolls ll\\sh was present on
the K and L, wcre similarly ignored as kits some of the sprues, my o"erall impressiun was
until recently, [hal gap being plugged by of a kit worth taking time over.
releases in both 1/48 and 1/72 M:alcs. As work procceds, you find youTSClf adding
Acro.1vlaster's com eTsion kit for the P-40F delail rather than having to resorl t'O the sort of
comes as a small 00): containing a new nose, remedial work thai can be a real chore, Mind
flaps and rudder and fln fillet sections, you, such is necessary. "Adding" includes the
Designed for mating with the truncated stays which held lhe P-40's ,'entral en~oine
fuselage of the \..lau,'e P-40~ the com'ersion gills open (they arc molded in this position
work~ a treat and opens up a far wider range on the lit), refining lhe drop tank SUppo.-lS
of markings possibilities than hitherto. The and adding the flexible fucl lines, generally
one drawback for the laz~ modeler used more improving the tank by S:J.ndwiching the two
to completing American fighters in 00 and hah'CS provided with a thin Plasticard scam
I'eutul Gray is thai the ''<lSI majority ofP-JOFs down the middle, and in my case, cutting out one
in sen'ice (mainly in the 1\1'1'0) wore l\\'O-lone of Ihe \\IDg bays rhat held the machine gun
RA r -relile <.-11mouflage. ammunition. This ncccs.<;itJted adding the splil
The P-40F and L \\'ere built as "short" and doors and their rClaining rods, plus some of the
"long" fuselage \'ersions and were widely u~d ammo. 11/ situ in their bays the familiar belts
by American air forces, a faCllhat makes their of 0.50in. l11rtridges were p\\rtially hidden by
omission from kit lists for so lung an even covers similar to those thar werc supplied with
greater mystery, hut better late than never. I-Iascg'Jwa's 1'61" Helleat kiT and I inserted some
Using Ihe Aerofl'laster conversion set and other of lhese on thc Wal'h:lwk after making up rhe
kits such as AMTeeh's reccnt release, the walls of the bay as an elongaTed Plasticanl box,
ADVANCED CONSTRUCTION 77
RIGHT We get one last good
look <It the P-40Fs sidewall and
footwell detail before it is
encased in the fuselage. The tub
has not been glued in position -
it has simply been tacked in
place with Blu-Tack.
carly-l9-Ws to a similar hare meral scheme as into Ihe UK. Newcr P-40B kit.. in 1/72 scalc
sported b~ some P-40:'\s in the Pacific in 19+1. ha,"c recently become available too.
IIasegawa, a company [hal generally As this book was being completed Rc\·cll
produces excell(.'1u kits, no.'1 came up with a broughl out a short fuselage P-40K, a ,·ariant
P--IO!\. This conlained the requisite number that had generally been o'·erlooked by Ihe
of delicate, well detailed components 10 the industry. Another welcome addition to this
company's typical high quality, SO far removed scale, rhe kit has fine engra,·cd surface detail,
from previous Allison--cnginc P-4Ds, most of bur as indicated previollsly, the mainll'hecls
which varied in fuselage length, canopy size, necd replacing with somcthing morc In
wheel dimensions and so forth. keeping with those of the original aircraft.
Howc,"er [his particular kit, like some others
In the 1/72 scale Hasq,'awa range, seems 10 be QUARTER-SCALE SUPERIORITY
a shade undersized, particularly in fuselage Acadcmy's P-JOC, rdtastd in 1000, sel new
depth, leading to the conclusion that the slandards for the earlicst of the first combat-
draughtsrncn had miscalculated the dimensions wartlly Warhawks, its rcstrained panel detail
on this occasion. Of course it could be that engraved inlO the plastic as it should be
manufacturers other than Hasegawa ha,·e contrasting wiLh lhe raiSt.-d line appTOach long
OVl'rscaled the aircrafl slightly but the quesllon adoptcd by Monogram.
of why this should be is hard 10 answer. It aU Molded in light gray plastic the Academ~
goes back, I suppose, to which sct of dimensions kit goc... together vcry well and is one of many
the mold makers use. Check P-4D dimensions contemporary kits that fall tasily into the "OUI
in several references and they always var); of rhc box" building eatcgory. One curious
indicating that kit manufacturers may just have a but in my case welcome inclusion is a solid
problem or two in this respect. 0/1" loop fairing. :'\0 mention of this item
Older P-40 kits regularly rt.':lppear at model is made on lhe instruction sheet and
events, offered either in original boxed form (at although manufaClurers h3\'e been known 10
quite high asking prices) or in bags witlloul add additional parts and indeed whole extra
inSITut.-tion sheets and consc.."qucntlr somewhal sprues to bts tIlar are to be part of a series, one
cheaper. J\lorc recently Russian and Eastern OfF loop is a mystery. It may be that Academy
EUTOpean manufaeturen; ha'"c re"italized the arc to re-tool tile p-JOC into a P-WK, a sub
molds and thc kit.. are once again being imported type that in some instances had this addition
ADVANCED CQNSTRUOION 79
RIGHT The bottom of the
P-40F's resin replacement nose
protrudes into the center of the
wing. The area to be removed
has been marked out. and a
scriber is being used to
accentuate the CUt line.
P-47 THUNDERBOLT
Soon after it first cntcred sen·ice with the
Sth Air Force, Republic's mighl} P-47 was
being weighed down with all manner of "thingJ;
under \\'inb"S." Drop tanks were followed by
bombs, rocket tubes and I IVARs, extras which
m<tnufacturers have not been slow to include
as optional extras in their kits. Unfortunately,
while concentrating on filling up the sprues
with stores, they often appear to have
o\·erlooked the true outline sh;lpc of the old
T-boh and om;e agam the IliZ-scale kits on
offer have historically n:quired crossing-buing
with components from others to build one good
example. In particular, the addition of custom
parts for Thunderbolts included such items
as determining whether a gi,·en cxample was
fined with Hamilton or Curtiss propellers with
standard or "paddle" blades.
In the case of some older models. there
was the chore of constructing wheel well
walls and in addition, detailing srores racks
molded integrally as part of the lower wing,
something that while not critical, could hamper
the camouOage and markings process. Some
of us will have cut our teeth on the ancient
frog razorback kit, which although ignored
these days, was not the worst model of its
type by any means - and it did seem to be the
right size.
ADVANCED CONSTRUOlON 81
RIGHT The remaining fuselage
seams on our P-4QF were tidied
up with a sanding stick. Lacer.
they were smoothed with fine
g~de abrasive paper.
REPUBLIC P-47 IN 1/32 because the high point of the sliding wel.:-
The razorback P-----l-7 is also lhe subj(,.·t:t of a pit bood is nol reall) present, this part seemingly
Re"ell 1/32-scale I:il, \\ hich n.."t.)uircs suitable being molded 100 short. The consequent "cur
modification. :\1ore worl: is n(,.>(.'(]ed to turn off" look is n:ry noticeable and an alrernati\·c
the razorback into somel hing acceptable as canopy will h:lve 10 be found. But one can h:lrdly
some fundamcnlal airframe eHors ha\"e crept lea"e out lhe 1) 7 in a (."()l1ccrion of 1/32 scale
into the moldings and these need to be American ligtu(. s and by carrying out correctivc
attended to before other Ilork is tackled. :\"ot work, the Rercl1 kit can be made to look vcry
all these Rc\"cll kits extended to underwing impressive indc.'Cd.
stores - or even the racks - bUI the p-·n 1 used
included a pair of racks Wilh Uritish-sty1c P-51
bombs (some kits were marketed with RAF The modern day kit sccne shows that thc
m:lrkings for an aircraft serving in Burma) and manufaClurers are;!l long last aware that North
a suspicious looking eenterlinc drop t:mk. AmeriC"Jn's finCSI came in sevcr.tl distinctly
During the time period whc.'ll these kits different guises. A look oock at the releases of
wcrc oriboinally a\-ailable, I illl·cstc.'(] in a set of past decadcs pro\cs that ,Monogram apprccialoo
1/32-s(;alc \-acuform drop t:lnks m:lrkctc.'(] by that there was a P-51 B as well as rhe bubblelop
Horizon Com"crsions. fly offering standard D and duly released kits in 1/-t8 and 1/72 scales
tanks for the P--47/P-Jl, the "'n:lt" tank oftCfl in 1967. The company only added a P-JID in
secn on Thunderbolts, plus lhe \"Cr~ lal"b'C ferry the larger scale len years later but in rhe
tanks for the P-38, this sel is p:lrIieularly useful. meantime, ilS happy customers sat back and
Armed with the IIonzon drop tanks and any waited for lhe rest of the world t'O catch up. II
Olher ill.'lllS more recently made available for did but slowl), in more ways [han one.
aircraft models in this scale, oldc.... kits may Ir was 1995 before Tamiy:! added a P-51 D
consequently be lini<;hed to look as they should. to its excellent 1/48--scale range. The kit, which
J .:lucri), some of the standard-pattern AAF had a str.righlforw:lrJ Mustang dcsi~ approoch,
lighler drop tanks have been replicated in included leardrop external fucl tanks and
1132-s<.;ale injection-molded kits, nOlably by the separate naps, plus nicely derailed wheel wclls
J-1ascg'Jwa P-51D, which is adaplable tu the 1'-47, that were prcs$(,."(1 as separate parts. Two cockpit
but the 1'-38's underwing loads SC(,.'lllS to have canopies, anI; to represcnt an aircraft built al
been rat her ol"Crlooked in this rcspl;Ct. Inglc\\"ood and 0111;:tt Dallas, were also provided.
Unforlutlntcly the P--47 bubblctop version is A neat \Ouch on lhe four-aircraft subject decal
hc~ond redcmption as it comes out of the box sheet was the inclusion of an "aluminum" effecl
ADVANCED CONSTRUCTION 83
Without its cngine the trunclted H::ascg:Jwa in surface finish and a different end result.
r-5 II) could form the basis for::a supcr-detailcd Therefore if you wish to build reprcscntati\·e
dior::am::a whcre the building \\ork conccntrates P-51Bs of thc enlire Sth Fighter Command
on what goes on at the fronl end, but below the it may be worth invcsting in several lits at
slin. Start by inserting a Plasticard fircw:lll at once. Which one is entirely al the modeler's
the point thc cngine has been cut ofT to use on discretion, of course.
Ihe r-51B, drill this to take ,·arious :lncillaries In 1/72 scale thc Mustang sirualion was, as
and work slowly fon\-ard from there.. Thc spares e\·cr, that much gloomier than in 1/-1-8: ofrhem
box will provide many of the necessary bits and all only Frog w::as once bold enough to kit :In
pieces ::and when the engine is inSI':llk'd, thc injection molded A-36. Unlike the reasonahle
discardcd sections of the Revell 1)-5 IB might be early p-ol-on from this manufacturer, the
adaplcd for display as separate panels. Thc f.1ct Apache represenled anOlher lost opportunity
thaI these arc slightly undersized \\on'l r('':llly be to corner a hungry slice of the market, as the
nOliccd provided that they are sandcd down and kit suffered from somc major errors. Instead of
painlcd. carefully designing a model that could have led
Finally, the thought occurs lhat onc could to numerous cQm'ersion possibilities to creaTe
add lhe uncowlcd, detailed .\'icrlin engine to the se\'cral of the Allison-t.:ngine Mustangs, the
Revcll P-51B and not bother with cuning: up modeler was ohliged lQ wield scalpel, knife and
the l-Iascg'Jwa kit but this would slill k':l\·c the sandpaper to create wh::al it s:l.id on the box top
slight challenge of modifying the propeller in the first place.
blades and adding new tires of lhc correct At long last Condor (!\'IPC) \\·ith a new.'\-36
eross-seclion. Then ::again, the conlQurs of the has plugged this gap in the kit linc-up of early
original Rc\·cll kit nose might, JUSt might, be Mustang \';lriants in this scale. Ha\'ing nor secn
adaptablc 10 :In Allison although this \\ould a copy as yel, I c:l.OnOt say whether it hits the
inmh"c a considerable amount of work. ma.rl in rega.rd to outline accuracy.
Among [he :lccc:ssory/convcrsion sets for
EARLY MUSTANG MODElS p-s Is that from Verlinden Productions provides
!\'lanifeslation of an early Mustang in plastic kit a full range of uoderwing Slores for a II48-scale
form to INS scale occurred in thc c::arly 1990s P-SID. One of the mOSt useful additions., it is
when the US company Accuratc Mini::alures wcll worth obtaining, nOt bCGtuse it introduces
released nOI one bur thrce Allison-engine much that is ncw bUl by including a range of
P-5Is: a P-51 (with no suffix letter), a 1)-5IA P-SI rocket, bomb and drop tank scctions to
and an :\-36. ThIS bra'·e "go for broke" vcry accurate tolerances. This is also one of lhe
approach was a ~'amble that the markel had few accessory SCIS Ihat recognizes the difference
vastly inereascd in sophistication ,111d indeed between the early and later style of main wing
knowledge lhrough acql11ring the many fine racks designed for Ihe carriage of drop tanks or
referenccs thaI have appeared in reccm years. It bombs on the P-SI n. Broadly speaking these
worked, A~1 achieved sales good cnough 10 had the carrier crulehes mounted either at the
keep the company goin~ so that currently il is top - flush with the wing - 00 <:arlier style racks
branching out into other subjects and g'.lining ::and on the lower edge on the racks fitted to
an em'iahle reput:llion for quality. Thc going P-SIDs and ,,"s..
has reportcdly been hard at times., but 10 dalc Hy combining resin and photo-ctch parts
AM's stable of early Allison--(;ngine l\lust'angs this particular accessor) kit en:lbles the modeler
has lx..'Cn joincd by a P-SII:I :lnd P-SIC, both of to apply SClIe fins to bombs and "SIr:lPS"
which ::arc welcome replacements or adjunct<; 10 :lround HVARs and drop lanks: both were slll::all
the lIotill useful ~Ionogram kit in this scale. enough on the full-sized :lircraft :lnd [hey comc
"'Iore Tt'Cent still is a Tamira release of a P-SI R out (or the~· should) as positi\'e!y minute when
which, if prc\'ious kits are anything to go by, scaled down. Verlinden's SCI :llso mcludcs the
will be little short of highl~· desirable. sway braces for field modifications of racks, plus
There is though a downside to all these new a full sct of rod:ers for Ihe triple M-1O bazooka
releascs in th::al the modeler mar prefer to build lUbe>.
::a stable of !\'lustangs from the same kit. 11 Photographs indicalc lh::al scvernl methods
::all boils down, I suppose, not only to what is were used to 1000le ordnance and fuel tanks
prefcrred but availahility. \Vhile some areas of safely under P-Sl wings, particularly in the
the world stock enough plaslic kits t<l cater for CBI, where some P-5111s and Cs actually
alllaSles at all times, this is not always the case. carried two drop tanks under each wing, heavily
An impulse buy may resull in essentially lhe braced to keep them in pLlce. In a theater denied
same kil but with a slight contrast, particularly almost e\;erything for long periods of time, the
ADVANCED CONSTRUCTION 85
--------------------------------~-j
squadrons were obliged to Jury-rig their own the "short nosed" 1)-61:\ and "long nosed"
bomb shackles before the regular items were P--61B;eithcr vcrsion can be an cye-cuching
hauled O\'er the Hump route from India. centerpiece of any display.
And although the European-based air forces Again thc kits in 1/72 disappointed, those
generally had a good supply of st:lndardized by Frog and Airfix indicating a HTy different
equipment for their j\'lustangs, \':lriations may approach to the s:amc subject. Frog, whilst
still be found abroad. aehic\·ing an au:cptable top flL~c1age contour
The type of accessory kit produced hy (no lurret' was indud<..'d) gave its P-61 odd,
Vcrlindcn is invaluable for ringing the cross-halch surf.'l<.'C detail meant presumably 10
changes and improving still further the represent rivets, and mcssed up the dimcnsions
components provided in kits. Other sets, of the fusdage, not to mcntion the rear glazed
intended for detailing P-47 and P-3S kits, arc senion. Frog's UK counterpart covered the
available in the range. black airframe in "trademark" rivets OUI added
an admirable degree of dctail sueo as separate
NORTHROP P-61 wing spoiler!>. an alternativc top turret, drop
!\ purely personal view of the P--61 is thai it looks lanks and so forth. L"nfortlmately thc lOp line
far better with its top [UIn'! in place than of lhe fuselage, including the cockpit profile,
without. ;\·lost modelers did not of course c\'cr was far too square with pronounced comers.
h;l\'c to put up with the blast of four "fifties" just Re-pro6ling was a difficult option as the cockpil
abo,'c their heads, or experience the buffeting canopy also had sharp comers lhat could nOI
that sometimes resuhed when the turreted really be adapted without a remolding job. That
airCN.ft was flung around the night skies of said, the Aim\: kit is one to use as a starting
Europe or the Pacific. 'fbat led to the majority of point if an ohler P-61 kit i<; required in lhis SOlIe,
the 9th Air Force P-6ls operating without the wilh perhaps somc cros.<;-kining using the Frog
turret, which certainly alten:d its dramatic lines. offering's bc!.1 bits.
Turn...'tS were actually fe-introduced onto P-61s Alternatively the modeler can splash out on
operating in the ETO at the cnd of the war, so all a completely new kit such as lhat released by
is not losl for the modeler seeking such a Ihe Dragon or Revell concerns.
combination of configuration and markings.
A mighty beast of an airplane, the "Widow" DOUGLAS P-70
has a no-nonsense look that makes it an ideal If your favored model scale is 1/48, the regu lar
kit subject. This is parti<.:ularly so in a larger adJition of kits to this size in recent years has
scale, as Monogram proved vcry well indeed been yery satisfying indccd. The current
by offering a superb kit that incorporated both situation is that there arc noll' very fell' 6'aps in
ADVANCED CONSTRUcnON 87
, ..
MJ.: V, The L::il is superb, alTering all the major painted on the rear fuselage thc problem of
,'ari:uions on the :\n V Iheme in regard to definite idenlificuion remains conjccrural in
tropical filters, different size radialOrs., and a some cases. Equally, Spirfires also show
choiee of st:mdard or dipped winb'S as well evidence of o\crpaintcd serials., part serials and
as a choice of standard and bullet proof a general lack of 6n flashes, as per American
windscn:ens. Once completed it surprised me practice. Many indi"idual machines had seen
LO re:l1ize after not a few years of abstinence (at a fair degree of scrvice before being passed
least in building Spits) jusl how big an aircraft to the Eagles., SO a \\'(:athcred appearanee is quite
it is compared to a P-51 in Lhe same scale, in order on a representative model. Other
Although the Hasegawa kit IS \"Cry USAAF Spitfires operated c.xtensively in the
impressive, despite some hard to disguise sink Nlediterranean and the many kits of the ,,"'Ik V,
marks alon!,; the wings, the fit of partS on my VII and IX may be finishcd in appropriate
example also left a little to be desirt'd, probably markings.
due 10 long-term storage. Also, the wing
sub-assemblies are substantial pieces of plastic HAWKER HURRICANE
which ha\'e to be persuaded to male without Although used by al1 thn.'C E.1gle Squadrons, the
lnOl'ing: out of alignmelH. The excel1ent cockpit Hurricane .Mks I:md II did not remain in service
sub-assembly, which is almost a model in its long enough for any c.xamplcs to adopt U5AAF
O\I'n righ.. star insignia. So evcn though a collection of
The mcthod of splicing PlasLic:lfd strip American-Qperated fighters could legitimately
into the gaps was particularly successful on the include one or two E.agle Hurricanes., they will
Spit as the lower wing half which incorpor:lled seem at first glance to be 1t..:\.F machines. But
those long, swt."Cping characteristic wing fillets, all is not lost. During Operation Torch, carrier
is in one pieet::, Once the top 'I-ing hah'es are borne Canadian-buih Sc::J Hurricanc XIl<> did
joined Ihis sub assembly is quite weighty and luve the "uni' ersal" whitc star marking Clrried
it must be persuaded to fair smoothly inlO the by all aircraft lile1~ to be operating O\-er that area
fuselage wilh only thin plastic ridges to anchor of:'\onh Africa and comc in contact with hostile
it firmly. By inserting plastic strip fore and aft Vichy French forees. These particular Hurris
along one fillet and across the rear joint, the job with their rellow outlined fusclage insignia
,,"as complclcd satisfactorily with no nct.'(j for would therefore be more in leeping with a
filler. collection of AAF fighters.
f\larkings for the Spitfire V of No" 121 Which kit 10 chose for an American-manned
Squadron (latH:rly the 336th FS of the 4th Hurricane is a moot point: in 1172 scale
Fighter Group) posed a problem al first. Ha.~egawa currently puts out a neat !v[k II and
Without any custom decals to hand I reSQrled to there arc ~e\'eral sUH'ivors of a long line lhat
an "old three into one" HisAirDec sheel of L"S has included, apart from the more familiar labels
nation:tl insignia. With the drawback that the of Airfix and Revell, a rare venture into plastic
finished decal is thicker than one would eXIX'Ct in by Keil Kraft, a company prcviously known
today's kits, Lhis method ncyerthelcss scrved its primarily for nying Sl,:ale models in wood. This
purpose. The yellow nng, blue background latter kit was a bit on the hea\'y side but it
and whitc star combination creates some "strike- had nice detail and was no worse than its
through" hut in Ihis case it didn't mauer. The contemporaries.
majority of Eagle Squadron SpiL'; wcre "hand There are se\'cral good lJ.l.8--seale
mc downs" lhat in\-anably had lheir RAF Hurricanes on Ihe markc.'t and although none
roundels o\·crpaintcd with the US marking. arc, to the \\"filer's knowledge, labeled as a
For thc codes I chose relatively "easy" leners (hooked) Sea Hurricane !\U: XII, rhe sub-trJ>e
that were mask.ed with strips of Post-It and that was the equi,-alent of the :\'ll: lIe Again
sprayed in Sky, the rear fuselage band being though I would olTer an opinion that l\lonogram
similarly trealed. Eagle Squadron Spitfire Vs docs as good a job as an}" in this scale. The
camc with the detail diffcrent.'{.'S applicable 10 company's con\"erlible kit ga,'e options to build
the mark, the most obvious being full span and the Mk. II, IV and a Iropicalized Mk Vc "ersion
clipped winglips and standard or external bUl [here was no provision for a "hooked"
bullct-proof windscreens. In regard to markings airt.Taft. This addition is relatively simple to
therc wa." sprinkling of personal decoration, make in conjunction with a study of Hurricane
which included the "double cagle" emblem on rderences. You will of course havc to modify lhe
cenain individual aircraft, but only a handful fuselage undersides 10 take a tail hook and its
of scrial numbers can definitely be tied in wilh "V" S[futs. There are plenty of scale drawings 10
codes. As thc serial digits werc not always help with the dimensions.
•
•
• •
, •
ADVANCED CONSTRUCTION 89
ABOVE The P-40F model is BRISTOL BEAUFIGHTER with or without the thimble nose radome,
now well aligned and gap free, A type quite widely used but hardly loved by which is supplied.
and ready for paint. the USAAJ:; the Beaufig-hter was a stop gap In 1/72 scale, Airfix again had the field
lwin that served pending the delivery of the to itself with a Beau .i\1k X released in the 196Os.
P-61 The trouble was that most of the pilots A Frog kit came later with some mlllor
who were destined to fly the Beau operationally improvements but modelers had another lcnb>thy
in the M1'O had tmmed on the P-70 - going wait f(lr anything better, a gap that was filled by
back to a tail dragger was seen as a retrograde Hasega,,·a only as recently as 2001.
step. WiTh the bendit of hindsight we can well Long bd(lre that, Revell ploughed on with
understand their views. Added to an unfamiliar new additions to their larger scale fighter range
ground angle was the fact that the Beau had by producing a Beaufighter ivlk I in 1/32 scale
engines with enough torque to put a Spitfire to during the course of the 1970s.
shame anu send the BrIstol twin careering off A great expanse of black plastic parts, this
rhe runway. It nevertheless helped the erews to kit lacked the internal detail modelers had
get their eye in over the \Vestern Desert and come to expect in this scale although its outline
Ilaly before the \Viuow (and a few ,\10squitos) and components were basically accurate. That
came along at the eleventh hour to re-equip the was the trouble with this entire range - basic
squadrons based in the .Mediterranean. was usually the operative word and anyone
The Tarniya kit broke the seeming embargo wishing to upgrade the variant (a straight
on any Beaufighter kit bemg produced in 1/4H tail i'vlk I as originally released) bced a heap
scale, a situation that had prevailed for years. of work. Converting the model into a night
An excellent kit well up to modern tooling and fighter as used by the USAAF is hm\Tver not
moluing stanuards, the Japanese release may be an insurmoumablc task. It ean involve adapting
built as a CSAAF-operatcJ Beau .\lk VI or X, the kit's horizontal tailplane imo a dihedral
, unit, changing the nusc wntOUfS to accept missed in this new SC'Jle firST lime around. Not ABOVE The extra effort spent
a ccmrimctric T:ldar scanner and improving that this is a great problem: molds for plastic preparing the P-40F's parts was
the dear bubble over the ubserver's position kits arc expensive and thcy rardy seem to be worthwhile, as it saved a lot of
to incorporate a machine gun. Alternatively an melted down or whate\'cr they do with them. time fiXing alignment and gap
carly straight tailed !vlk VI might be found, the Providing that you can be palienl, someone will problems later. The resin cockpit
AAF accepting a variety of Heau sub-types. from Cutting Edge Modelworks
eventually re-release thitt' overlooked model
was also a good investment due
subject, probably al a much bem;:r price that
to its high level of visibility under
• END NOTE those asked by specialist suppliers for "original"
l:it.s that haw rocketed in price. There is also a
that big, open canopy. Note that
the techniques for achieving the
Using the word "a(k:mccd" is a minefield in distinct possibiliry thaI someone will kit the P-40F's finish will be dealt with in
modeling bct-ausc what is a difficuLt task to one subject better than the original you spent time the follOWing chapter.
• JX=rson will seem to be routine to anOlhcr. But trying 10 track down.
having b<..'Cn a sucker for American fighter kits
for as long as 1 can remember, I've also kicked
the "strictly all one SC:l1c" viewpoint. As kits
• grew ever more sophisticated I was attracted to
try other sizes, the upshot being that now I'll
add a good Mustang, Thunderbolt, Warha",!.': or
whatever, 10 my collection irrespective of
the scale. This is no great revelation in that it
means thaI I now opt primarily for IN8 scale
but like the added possibilities with 1/32 scale.
• Another drawbad: of being too partisan for one
comparati,·c size is that one can miss the far
superior releases outside the preferred fa\'orite
, scale. Change your habit though and you'll
likely be scrabbling 10 find the fine kits you
ADVANCED CONSTRUcnON 91
CHAPTER 6
SPECIAL TECHNIQUES
SPECIAL TECHNIQUES 93
RIGHT This P-47D will wear a
natural metal finish and invasion
stripes on the lower surface of
the fuselage. The first step was
to paint the lower-mid sectioo of
the fuselage white. ensuring that
this coat covered it thoroughly.
Tamiya paintS were used for the
black and white invasion stripes.
modd is to depict an OD and Gray machine. them down for a third time, which should still
This is where the references 3b":lin come to the havc thcm \'isible through the paint. all somc
rescue as each US fighter h:ld :m:as of wear and \'cry weathered aircraft finishes, some rivet
fade common [0 all theaters. Different degrees and panel detail should be seen, bur nOI ne:.rly
of weathering can also be pcn.:ci\"oo on aircraft to the extent visible on the kit when it is new.
serving in Europe and the Pacific, a fact thaI As a final touch, morc 00 can be sprayed o\er
rcn(,.'Cloo the extent of ground support and those areas nOI so prone to the wcar and tear of
facilities. opcrntional fl);ng. A patchy finish so rypic::a.1 of
Some fighter group commanders were many first line aircraft should result.
fastidious about ha,"ing smarl aircraft on theiT The above ri\·ct retention method ob\<iously
flighl line. Crew chiefs would ha\"c c.... haust works bc!.1 when the plast:il.: base color is light
burns cleaned ofT aircraft after rcd::lcss young gray or "naturnl plastic" rather than say. bbcl: BELOW The entire area of
black and white invasion stripes
pilots had Tcrumed from missions and messed or green, one reason \\ hy 1 - and I SUSpeCI
w;u finally masked in preparation
them up in the process. Other COS were not many others - much prefer lits molded in a
for the natural metal finish.
• so panicular: if the unit commander turned
a blind eye to such things, more \\"cathered
neutral shade.
Hut even if a kil is molded in darker color,
Tissue paper was dampened and
pressed gently into the main
aircraft might appear on the flight line. In the this can pro\'ide eonlrast as the "rub down wheel wells. This acts as a
8th Air Force in England, for whatever reason, afterwards" method can be used if a weathered malleable mask for cavities that
the 33Yth Fighter Group seems to havc flown natural metal finish is chosen. One important are otherwise hard to plug.
scruffier Mustangs lhan, say, the 352d Fighter
Group in the same eount'~'.
But despitc all this, how often docs onc see
a model wid} all markings in plaec flown by a
50-mission-plus pilot without a scratch or
some c\'idence of exh::lust stainingr A finish as
• pristine a.'l the d::l)' the aircraft was rolled out of
thc factory paint shop makes little sense to my
way of thinking. I do know that there is a
widespread belief that weathering an otherwise
finished model nms the risk of ruining iL, but
if care is exercised, the problem should be
o\·ercome easily.
SPECIAl TECHNIQUES 95
RIGHT Tamiya AS-12 Airframe
Silver is only available in a spray
can. This is a great shade for
natural metal aircraft - neither
too shiny nor wo dull.The finish
is also quite wugh and durable,
unlike some other natural metal
paints. The only problem with
this color is that the spray can
sometimes produces a slight
orange-peel texture on the
surface of the paint. To avoid this
problem, the contents of the can
wtlre emptied into a small
disposable container. The
container was covered with
plastic wrap, a small hole was
made in the plastic and the paint
was sprayed into the hole. The
result is a pool of silver lacquer
in the bottom of the container
that can be poured into a glass
paint jar. If you are swring the
decanted paint. do nm tighten
the cap tOO much as there may
still be propellant in the paint,
resulting in a possible build up of
pressure in the jar. The silver point to remember here is to obrain a good application. While not in any way denying that
lacquer was then sprayed over eO\'cragc of paint before attempting to rub de~;als are an integral part of modeling, they
the entire model using the
down. Aboyc all, remember that you're trying arc sometimes used ;n my opinion to the
airbrush, resulting in a smooth,
to din)' up the finish, not ruin the paint finishdetriment of I he direct application method
hard base coat.
you have already applied. 1 know that some using suitable masks or stencils or indeed hand
modelers feel they arc treading a \'ery fine linepainting.
when doing this and Ihe answer is obviolL<;ly to Looking closely at decals, one occasionally
practice on an old kit first. A degree of finds discrepancies between the pancllines on
boldness may also be in order! the full size aircraft and the width or depth of
Rubbing painnmrk down seem<; to be more the docal. There can be cerl'ain limitations
of:m art than it might at first appear. I find that
with the artwork/printing process and
il is ho\\e\'er onc of thc more pleasing: aspectsperhaps e'-en the accuraq' of s~;aling. Decal
of modeling as the efTe<..'t one creates will be sh<.."Cts are usually prepared from large size
unique to the indiyidual model (and modeler). an-work or computcr generated images and
The trick is as C\'cr, to kecp lhe wear and tear reduced 10 the rC<juired dimensions, and I'\'e
within Ihe confines of the visible effects of found inSl'ances whl.:l'c for l.:xample the air<;faft
weathering: on the full size airframe. serial numbers in I/ ~8 scale do not match
b-en if the available photos of your subject those on the I.:it sh<.."Ct because they arc slighrly
aircraft do not show that much weathering on too large. J found this out \\ hen trying to
say. the wing rOOt areas, anOlhcr photo of a squ<.."Cze si;\: digits onto Ihe fin of a P-47 in this
similar ~ub type assigned to the same squadron scale in the stanJard location between the
in the same theater mar do so. "Borrowing" a leading edge and the rudder hinge line. A
bit more weathering to boost the final 1001.: of eomp:my that should know better had actually
a model is I believe, quite legitimate. What <;caled all the numbers wTOngly. I found there
you arc then depicting is a typical finish for was little or no space at each end of the serial
the thcaler of operations, which fel\" can when applieJ to the model, when such is quitc
argue wilh. obvious in the reference_
In shorl, nobody should be overawed by the
DECALS & MARKINGS reput.1tion of decal companies with voluminous
lists, as they may miss certain detail~. I'm not
While decals arc <.:urrently reaching very high implying that there is, in lhe hard commercial
standards of accuracy and reproduction, T world, a race for quantity over quality. But one
pcrsonall~ c.'\:ercise a lillie caution in their could state with some accuracy Ihat there is a
SPECIAL TECHNIQUES 97
-
,
--
SPECIAL TECHNIQUES 99
RIGHT The P-39D model was
prepared by simply masking off
the clear parts.The open "car
door" on the starboard side was
simply blanked off by taping the
door in place.
little too much on the model paint surface. The An) pliable material can be osed to blank ofT
vilX versa challenge of \"ery man decals is nOt pre-paimoo arC3S such as a lXlCkpit interior and
nearly so widespread. Thi~ decals-versus-paint whed wells, COllon 11'001 or moistened [issue
(:Ol1trast is \,"here varnishes may come into their being parlicularly efTecli\'e in c1iminalin~ any
o,,-n bur ol1e should rale inro account the fini~h "creep" of sprayed paim.
of the subject aircraft. j\hu or senti-gloss black ProduCls such as Maskol are line for some
paintwork on aircraft such as the P-61 and lasks ahhough it has 10 be well mi:.:ed.
1'-38 often appears ro show the national PUllcl'ioning by cOI'ering the masked ofT area
insignia glossier than surrounding airframe with a fine, proleelil'e membrane, \'1askol and
areas. This cannot always he the angle of the olher similar liquid products can shrink if the
sun or the use of decals, but the effect is quite mix is not righe SlOred for any lengTh of time
I'lsible on photographs. It means that the the producl can harden and gel al the bottom
application of a glossy commercial decal sheet of lhe conlainer, ill which case il is preferable
10 a matt finish will be authentic enough ro invest in ;) fresh supply. Older liquid mask
without the need to bnng the modd up to the m,ly also ha\'e a tendency to "string" and nOI
sheen of the decals, which docs seem to be ;1 cover well.
rather labor-mtensi\'e way to do things. As e"er, Adhesive tape such as That sold expressl~ for
the only answer is to give it a go on an old lit, the purpo!'>C b) Tami)'J. ma~ be used for masking
principally to see how the \"arnish rc;lCts with small and large areas of models. ·rhe one proviso
the dl"(;als and the softemng agent, the thinners I'd add is 10 watch thal a pre\'iously paint'l-J
used in the pamt and so forth. surface does not "lin" under the tape. Providl-J
thm it is lightly tacked down or used to anchor
MASKING a piece of ordinary paper along the line to be
paimcd, Ihere should be few problems. I've
On a larger s<.-alc kit the simplest and most found thai sih"er (or aluminum shade) painl is
traditional form of mask IS the hard prone to lining as this has a .endene}" to "plaIC'"
demarcation line achie\"ed by a l-anl or stiff the surface with slightl~ difTerent adhesion
p~pcr edge held lightly in position with rape, properties to colors. depending on the type of
Blu Tad: or e'-cn finger pressure. Carefully paim being used. ~ew tape with adhesion
sprayed, Ihe resultant lines on thc kit should properties Iha. ma~ seem too strong can be
be crisp enough, with the advantage that the wiped bet'\\ccn thumb and forcfingl'T befon:
nose an, l-ode leiter, number or whate\·cr, ha.<; application to reduce its Slrenb'1:h_ RC',;ular
e.\:actl~ the same renl"Ctive property as the an work masling tape or draubohting tape is
surrounding paint. oflen recommended for Ihis work but thlTC is
WHEELS
tissue provided as kit d(.-c:ll prot:l,."Ction is ideal A coat of mati blue/black is indeed necessary
for Ihis purpose. Stand the model on the iron's but only as a starting point.
surface, nlaking sure that it is level. Gentle Many kit machine guns arc molded
pressure will soon nallen the bonom of the convincingly with enough engraved uetail
tires. 'Vith a large kit that \\'on', thrl,."e-point on :.Ind require onl}' a "metallic" look to cnhant:e
the iron, the appliam;e will have to be held level their authenticity. Paints formulated to h:.lve a
with a table or other surface to ensure that the metaU\(; look arc useful but dun't overlook
tailor nosewhcel is nattened in equal degrees. another method of imparting this effc(;t to
Etjually, thc whcels can be n:lltened separately paintwork which is about as simple as it gets.
but if they're not :lll':Lched to their oleos there is Graphite frolll I'he humblt, pencil, rubbed
the risk that the nalS will be uneven. on with a finger or tissue, is a remarbbly
In rCbrard to wheels and lires, it is well effeClivc we:l\hcring device. IJeneils arc a
worth the time to check that what comes in surprisingly useful and perhaps overlookl,.-u
the kit bears a close n:semblance to the real model aid. Sha\'ed off lead (any soft grade
thing. l-listoric:.Illy kit wht."els were often too from HB to 61l can be used) is simply applil,.-tl
thin in cross section :md some fighters, notably to black-pamted guns to impart a rc:llistic
the P--IO, had wheels that appear almost gun metal sheen to the surface of lhe barrd
disproportionatel~· large. Some digging in the jacket and breech block. It is also easy to pencil
spares box will be necessary to come up with directly onto the surface of lhe plastic to add
Ihe righl size if you feel Ihat the kit wheels deplh 10 the sheen.
need 10 be changl,.'d. The gTaphite method can also be used to
enhance daTi: engine paTtS, particularl~ radial
GUNS cylindeTs and to an eXlcm on silver surfaces to
create a daTi: weathering efTect. As gr:J.phite is
As onc of Ihe major componenlS in plaslic kils VeT} smooth, a touch of it added to a plaslic
of milifllry airCT:lft, repliC2 guns require special propeller boss will enable the blades to LUm
treatment. Thc~' should of course not look the more casil). I also use a pencil to pick out areas
same as tires or propeller blades, the other two of \\hct:l \\ells lhat ha\'e engra\ed hydraulic
"black" areas of wartime airplanes.. Kit paint and e1ectncallines.. At the opposile end of the
instructions would ha\·e you belien' otherwise, \\·ealhering spectrum, while chalk can be
offering as Ihey do litlle in Ihe way of guidance_ employed to lighlen dark paim surfaces.
A30VE The camouflage colors. MIRRORS The widespread :Jdoption of baseboards for
Olive Drab and Neutral Gray. indi\idual model.. enables interesting infomlation
were sourced from the Polly Rear-\'iew mirrors are among the areas where about the subject to be presented "at a glance."
Scale acrylic range. These colors fighler models might be improved. Most t~ pes Ucpending on what need.. 10 be included here,
were applied using the S<lme had them to a greater or lesser degree, but they the modeler can !>oi\'e his im:Jgination a free rein by
technique as the white - first
were particularly popular on ;\Iustangs. lon<.:e rcnd<..';ng the badge of the JXIrent Wlit the model
filling in between the ~nel
nOled Ihat Sth Air Force P-Sl rue and I) in qucstion belonged to, adding a photo of the
lines. then successive lightly
over-sprayed coats until the models had at least 25 different mirror full-size aircraft and perhaps, brief written data on
desired effect is achieved. The mountings, both on the windscrccn rramc\\orl.: thl.: pilot(s) who fkw it in rumba!. For rumpetition
pre-shading can be seen under :ll1d the sliding canopy. entries, sollle IX'ople prefer to pro\'ide notes on
the Olive Drab. but it is not tOO ;\1any of the mirrors sccn on USAA F air<.:raft thl.: model and llK'tltion any colwcrsion work
obvious: subtlety is the objective. in England were originally manufactun..'d for thl.:y hare carried OUl, although such data can be
Spitfirlv'"S and Hurricanes and their mountings presented on a separatc card if the organizers
I'aricd hom a sclf-supportingsingle stem and the prefer it,
A b:Ise can, altt."ITlan\"c1y, be just thaI if you base, both of which arc a step up from plain antS
inlerprcl the wonl as a fighlCr disJX'rsal area. The Iattcr may well be the modeler's choice for
Much depends on the scale of the kil s1:lnding the quite understandable reason that, having
on il and whal else )'ou intend to display, Threc- slaved O\'cr the model, the urge to put the same
dimensional items such as oil drums arc dedication into a base is not ncarly so strong!
minimalist accessorit.os bur if the base area is Fortunately, plain bases, particularly thM( canoed
larger, a fuel bowser or othcr \'chicles may be from fint.'-grained w()()(], look atlraeti\'e enough
included. Placing the aircraft itself on pierced and to some eyes, do not detract in any way (rom
steel planking is always eflcctivc :md:l number of the model itself. That's also a valid point and one
m~1nufaeturers have in th.: past offered flexible that the modeler who wishes his work not 10 be
shcet~ of PSP in \'arious st':lles that need to Judgt.-d a!> a diorama will have to consider i( he is
be attached 10 a firm b:Isc boord. One I've used building for compel ilion display. The problem is
was an American product called Sca.legr.lIe that m<xlem model competitions fcarurc so many
which, as it incorporates a few tears and bases that models placed dircctly onto the displa)
indicalion of repair, makes a \"ery authenlie table arc !>urting to look as though they ha'"e
front-line basebo:t.rd. something missing
Eduard market bases in ri~rid plastic wilh the There arc numerous alrcmati\-c types of
PSP effect forming the surface upon which the baseboard that need nOI be \"Cry rime oon.<;uming
model srands- Oribrinally available in 265mm by to crc:ttc. Simply cutting up and pa!>"ting dOlI"l1 a
164mm size, suitable for a single-engine fighter wcU rendered piece of 00" art and/or the l;il
up to 1/4-S scale, the range has since been in!>truction sheet on stiff card to your 0\1"11
c.xtendcd to include bases double that size. Very design c:m work welt Almost an)' rigid surface
widely used on the often rough fronl-line Ihat will support a model e:tn suffit.-c, including
airfields employed by USAAF fighler groups, mirror tiles which can be butted together to
this handy, instant runway material sets off a form as large an area as necessary to show ofT any
well-made model arguably better than any other addition:.l detail added to the model's lm'"cr
if a realistic, as opposed to an artistic, setting is surf.1er..-s. This alfID safeguards agaimt anyone
required. pil,;king the model up to check if the undersides
As should be obvious frum thc above, a dear have been finished correctly :ll1d possihly
di\"ision exists octll(:en a realistic and a designed causing damage.
lines from the bowser to the aircraft and rhu the kit bUI lhis lrailer \\0"":15 commonly hooked up ABOVE Now we come to
such a scene almost l.'Crtainly demands the [() a Cletrac or a trud. for moving Out 10 lhe creating post-shaded we<lthering
inclusion of a figure or t .....o, as ground crew .....e re flighl line. Most commonly photographed on for ~ Desert Warhawk.. as
hardly in the habit of dCpw'ting for a smoke and bomber b3ses., thesc important vehicles are shown here on the P--40F.
leaving a few hundred g:1l1ons of high octane equally adaptable to a fighter scene where they
gasoline TO pump into the wing and/or fuselage carried oxygen bonles as well as bombs, rockers BELO'N AMteeh's 1/4f8-scale
tanks on their own! and ammunition boxes. P-4QF was painted with Polly
Scale acrylic paints - Azure Blue
In 1/+8 scale the airfield support vehicle References ro vehicles diroctly as..'IDCiated
on the lower surfaces and a base
picture has not been quite so rosy as with the operation of USA.A}~ fighters arc not,
(:oat of RAF Middle Stone on the
manufacturers long ago adopted 1/35 as the to my knowledge, tOO thick on the ground
fuselage sides and the tOP of the
st'anclard scale for the larger military ,'chicle although all encompassing references such as model.A few minor gaps were
kit. While certain itcm~ in this scale are the M(ghty Eighth H-ar Manual docs include dealt with using Gunze Mr
aclaprable to aircraft in 1/32 scalc, vchicles some basic details and no less than 17 Surfacer before painting
suil'ahle {or display with 1/48-scalc aircraft photOgraphs in the chapter entitled Ground continued - it is never too late
have been somewhat neglected, as least as far as Support Equipment. Obviously majoring on to find (and fix) a problem,
[he mainstr~m manufacturers arc concerned.
I n partial response to this dearth, _'\-lanagram
• included a Clctrac tracror in their R-24
l.iberat'Or kit and this, despite a molding that
was a lillie "chunky" and dct:lil that was on the
basic side, was a vcry welcome extra. For a
baseboard display a fighler can be hooked up to
the Cletrac \-ia lOW bars fixed to the landing
gear oleos - once again, do eh<..'Ck the references
ro see exactly where these fitted on different
aircraft Inx:s. As it comes, the Getme has
"solid" sidewalls bctw<..'Cn the tracks, lacks
windscreen glass and any hint that the vehicle
was equipped with a soft-top canvas hood - a
vital extra for English and Italian winters. All
I hese details and others, ean be added wilhout
difficulty to the J\'lonogram kit although
references will also indicate that Cletracs
opcrarcd with the windscreen folded flat.
As a companion to the 13-24 tractor, the
.\'lonogram B-17G mcluded a flatbed bomb
lrailer. No motive power was actually provided in
materiel supplied to me 8th Air 1-oree in lhe L'K IPMS Special Interest Groups - SlGs - ha\'e
from both British and American sources, this spurred this approach to modeling and the
refcrcnce e:>:tends to ambulances, wreckers, results of combining the resources of small or
mobile cranes and runway control vchicles and large groups of modelers can be seen 10
trailers, the latter dccked out with a distinctive advantage at numerous shows. The internet has
bbck and white chcckcrboard finish for high undoubtedly assisted this coming togelher of
visibility out on airfields. the SIGs.
Some general guides to military \·ehicles of In fact many themes suggest themselves lO
World War 2 such as the Obun:u's Fithti"K models of Americ;m fightcrs. They might
'~hi&s Di,retory published by Warne, include include aircraft flown by the aces, different
airfield equipment. .\1y aging cdition has aircraft us,,:d by the samc squadron or group,
pro\'ed quile useful in this rcspect and depicting the c,·cr-popular black and \\hitc
although morc modern titles appertaining 10 stripes applied for D-Day in Europe or the
Ihe subject have no doubt appeared recenlly. invasion of the Philippines and the famous
Numerous vehicles will be observed within the sharkmOUlh marking, carried at various limes
pages of general fighter group histories; SO in different war theatcrs, by all first-line L'S
wilh a diorama in mind, now is the time to go fightcr typi.:S.
o\'er them again and take a second look at the Simple, ,,:ommon themc:s might include
\'ehicles \-OU ma~ ha\·c missed the first time thc u.<;e of stripes and/or checkers as unit
around. markings; thc eyer popular ladies in various
As a last word on this aspect of aircrafl stages of undr(."Ss; aircraft decoratcd with the
modeling it is nOt wise lO assume that fighter namcs of thc (.'::I1'Ioon characters made famous
units III other ,heaters of war were supplied by Al Capp, Walt Disney and others - e\'cn
wilh vehicles and so on to the extent that the aircraft wilh the same nicknamc might appeal
European-based air forces were. In the em, 10 some groups of modelers.
for example, a heat-up Chinese truck or an ox Characters from comic strips, moyie and
cart might be more appropriate lhan a CUSIOOl- song titles provided the warlime US sen-iceman
buih trailer for carrying bombs, the units based with a wide range of inspir:lIion when it camc
thcre being silUatOO at the end of yery long to naming combat aircraft. l\'ot all names arc
supply lines. readily traceable to thcir source howeyer and a
worJ.:ing knQ\\ k"<lgc ofAmerican sporn; and card
THEMES ~,''Umcs in \'ague during me war can help 10 Cf:lck
some of [he c.~prcssion.'i USI.:<1 10 personalize
With the amI of branching out into aircraft aircraft in this way.
color schemes th.n arc that little bit different, One varialion on thc theme idea is to SCt out'
individual mooclers often pool [heir work into specifically 10 duplicate in plastic an individual
a group project with a common theme. The aircraft in a photOs or photos. "Mrs Virginia" a
P-5IA of the 1st Air Commando Group is about in a number of ways not least \·ia the
well enough known and an id(.-al choICe. With younger gencration. To be brutally realistic
enginc CXh3USt stretching O\'cr half the length about plastic modeling, it is oftcn only a
of the fuselage, this example offers one of the passing phase of growing up; youngsters will
best weathering subjects anpvhcrc. just as soon throw a kit together for the sole
Along similar (herned lines arc 3lfcraft purpose of blowing it to bits on Guy Fawkes
• painttxl up specially to mark a mil~1:onc such
as the 15,OOOth P....ON with all the customer
night or speed its partial demise in some other
dire way. Such a fate may be anathema to the
national insib'TIia. Enough "round the dock" more mature modeler bUT he or she t-an bl:nl:fit
halftone and color pholos have been published from this vandalism by collecting thl: \cft
., for such a model to be l,;omplctcd with satisfymg over bits and removing them to a safe plal:e on
accuracy, using the Create 301 kit. Modeling the grounds of dearing up. Few parents will
commemorative aircraft need not stuI' there as complain once the wrecker of kiTS has
dozens of P-47s sported similar markings to discovered a range of lllternative interests,
record milestones in production and those from computer games to - well, you name it!
denoting their purchase thruugh war bond The llOarding modeler with a few young
dri\'(,~. Most well known of all in this category relatives can therefore soon be inundated with
perhaps is the P-3SJ painted in o,'erall bright a mass - evcn a mess - of truncated winb'S
red with the wording "Yippee" under the and fusclagL"S, "'heels, props and what have
win6'S. The differem:e here of t"()un;c is that the you_ Somc parts indeed come in handy for
Thunderbolts saw action while the others did conversion work but mOSt of the larger items
not. tend to languish in the spares box incvitably to
Them~ can naturally extend to an attrat'tiye be jomed by thc ICftovers from thc modeler's
display base for the finisbt-d model. A plam sheet own kit bashing efforts_ As thc years pass, the
of clear plastic will prott"(.'t photobrraphs of the thrce P-5Is, four 1'-40s and tWO 1'-38s (any
• full-size aircraft, a portrnit of the famous pilot(s) combination of numbers is applit-ablc to some
who flew it, artwork profiles of aircraft of the of us) which were once the IatCSt thing but
same unit, or an original urut badb'C in the form which you nc\·cr gOt around 10 completing, arc
of a cloth patch or a dcctl; these arc jus't some rt"Tldcred morc or less obSOletC b~ ne.....cr. morc
idca..... accuratc kirs. Dcep down, )OU knO\\ you'll
nc\-cr build thesc oldcr ones nO\\'. Do thcy have
BUILD A BONEYARD any USC!
• If thc major componcntS havc been
ThroughoUT the foregoing te:\:( [here has at scpanted from Ihc sprues, or you ha\·c oo.-.es
lea.<;t been the implication that after a fcw years full of pre\-iously paintc:.'tIl..its noo· broktll down
at the hobby a modcler will hayc acqwrcd a for easy stonge (on the grounds that onc da)
• goodly range of sp:ue parts_ This Illight come they might lx: usc:.'tI ag:ain), thc~ ccnainl) do_
One method lli to s!:3ck all the wings and efrecl and where appropriate, the L;S narional
fuselages together on a baseboard, put all the msignia may be overpamted and depicted as a
wheds in a separate heap, along with the solid shape. Color photos show lhe shade used
spinners, cockpit canopies., drop tanks and so to have been rust red in one inSl'ance but there
on, and you have an instant comer of a scrap were others.
yartl in the making. Take a baseboard in the size If you do tackle such a proj<:cr, don',
required, run a section of fence in any material o,,-erlook lhat box of old. briule decals [hat are
preferred from card to metal around IwO sides of not likely be applied ',a any current model. Cut
il and simply arrange the model pans on lhe them up and apply where appropri:ue to lhose
base and againsl the fence. Chances are some of area.<; of the scrap wings and fuselages thar may
the winbTS and fusclage~ will have old paint and be seen.
decals still in place - so much the beuer, a.s they The modeler can tailor such a display to
""ill pro,,'ide a lout:h of variety. It goes without taste. A P-40 for example, placed in front of the
saying thai models to any scale may be used for stacked airframe P:lrts on its gear kgs with ilS
a boneyard scene :l1though surplus IIn-scale windscreen in place, will set the scenc well
kits mUSI be the most economical - :md enough and provide a focus. Ahemari,,-cl}; the
probably the mOSI numerous. Pacific island "hole in the ground" l)'pc of scrap
II is perfeedy pos.<;ible, of course, to super scene, will1 P-38s and P-6Is (some with drop
detail such a diorama in mueh the same way tanks still attached) shoycd on lOP of truncated
as any other; bUI the heauty of the basit: st:rap bomber parts, might be a more amhitious
heap is lhat with some judicious placement, project for some people. The referenu.'S are full
you can get away with lhe minimum of gluing of these sad but nCttSSar)' scenes of 1945 as Ihe
and painling. It docs help if you ha"'e a number Allics systematically scrapped the largcsr air
of examples of the one aircraft type as, tidy to forces the world had e'!·er SCCI"I.
the end, the military tcnded, at lea'" in the US. Aircraft disposal came into three broad
to park similar aircraft l)'pcs together while categories: firstly, those where the scrapping of
they awaited their fate. Poor surface detail or surplus but complet e airframes took place,
any OUlline inaccuracies of the parts can be all mainly in the US; secondly there were the
but be hidden by carefully t:Olnposing the locations where airuaft were stripped of
scene; wings stacked on their edge do nOI milit.lry equipment and put up for sale; and
re,,-cal much and neither do fuselages if they are thirdly were those areas - mainly o"'-crseas -
tightly packed together in a line. Paint may be where combat damaged aircraft caresses were
dabbed on the lcading or lnliling edges of the simply abandoned. A sub-·cuegory might be
wings that are most visible to enhance the the "active" wartime sLTap yard from whieh
airframes were cannibalized for spares [0 keep arc all areas the skilled modeler can raclde to
other airCT::aft n)·ing. make such a scene that much more realistic.
In modeling terms, each type of dump This IS where those saved pieces of flash can
f rC<luircs a different approach. for the open come in handy as the thin plastic makes ideal
air "h:mb'1lT quc:..'Cn," some deliberate stripping damaged panels.
might be rJcs;f:lblc, nOt 10 mention a degree of Finally, the references contain numerous
airframe damage from shot and shell, a whecls- scenes of ain;raft being readied for the smelter. In
up landing and so forrh. Missing panels, bem the US tht:sc machines were stripped of engines,
propeller blades and some cutting away of the tifL'S, props and so forth and were stacked prior
airframe to reveal the structure underneath, to disposal in a much more organized manner.
Amcrican master modeler Shepherd Painc is very quickly settles on the surface of a plastic
a master of this sort of presentation, and has model .... hieh iL~e1f just sils Ihere, c::lling into
based many of his creations on .\lonogram kits. an area that you really need for yCI another
An abandoned and vandalized B-25 !\,Iitchell reference book - or indeed another model.
came as part of the paeka6'"C in the original 1/ ~8 I can', sugges' a rl'ady an5\\Tr apan from
scale kit. There was also a ditching scene with Ihe none~loo-s;ltisf;lctory rcmedy of hanging
the TBO De\-a.scltor kit - these and a whole models from the ceiling. Up therc they will
range of other ideas arc rcadil~ ad:Iptablc lO g:::J.lhcr dusl faster Ihan almost anywhere else and
fighlers. Shep published a book, HoII' to Build short of repading them into bo.XC5., wilh some
DiomllloJ in 1980, an A.f format paperback risk of breaking off the smaller more delicate
crammed with idcas including an :lmazing H-26 pa.rrs, this remains a challcnge proponionare to
.r...'laraudcr production line. Such an ambitiOlls the amount of available space. Friends of mine
and innovalive modeling project will appc·JI lO have wisely buill display cabinets that <Ire
many, with the ad'-aI1tage of some spaee saving if intended 10 line ....';1I1S or alcmes.
adapted to reproducing part of a factor~.. ruming If the only option is to pad completed
OUl sing:lc-cnginc fighters. modcl'> away, a ,-isi, '0 your local wine merchant
A further \'ariatioll on this thcme is an might yield a number of wooden boxes. These
arming area. By placing a P--+7 next to a stack come complete with supporting inserts 10 hold
of bombs and :'<.'1-10 rocket launchers you I,;an Ihe neck of the bollies firml~. A box intended for
:dso reduce your stocL.s of plastic ordnance, a couple ofbonics will aaual!) hold a 1/4S--scalc
which proliferates \\;th c'·ery kit }OU buy the'>C P-t7 or P~51 nicely with room to spare for
days. A Iasl thoughl ~ if you arc a YOr.Il,.;OUS additional cushioning: lTL,1lcrial such as bubble-
modeler who uses many spares, leave the wrap. 1\ further model storage idea is a box with
boneyard scenes intact on the shelf, so at least a transparent lid. I.arge enough to housc a 1/32
~'ou can see at a glance how many props, I' hl,.'C!s scale P-51 with il.'> .... hl,.ocls down, these boxes are
or canopies you acrually na\'c withom the nec.'1l a bit flimsy and it is am-L<;:able to remO"e the
10 son through len different slOragC boxcs! propeller. BUl a well~fining sec-through lOp of
this type docs keep out the dust :md pre\'cnts the
WHERE TO STORE THEM? model from being completely hidden from view.
A sort of bonus herc is that if the mood is
Finally, there is the e,·er present problem of unfinished bm 'isible you can always nag
sioring models once mey MXC been complcH.'d, yourself into completing it some day soon.
and unless you !i1·C in a com·encd Zeppelin shl,.-d I have in the paSI built a floor-to-ccilillg
you'll soon find thal space is at a premium. Dust sla<.:king unit so ,nal you have a number of
sheh'cs available. Mcasun.-d on the size of the If you do ha"e to rl'Sign yourself to storage
baseboard for the largest kit you han:. Ihesc will which risks brcakage, it is a good idea to
then serve as a useful resting place for smaller photograph each model as you complete it.
kits, and a number of completed models and/or Th:u way even if il plunges to the floor thc
boxcs can be accommodated. Many stores now next time you artempt to find something in the
sell modular shelf uniL~ dcsi!."Iled to squeeze inlo stack of boxes underneath it, at least you witi
the smallCSI possible space, and these arc well ha\·e a record of the way it used to 1001.:.
worth invcstigaling £0 meet your personal A 1:l!t1: resort ahernati\"C to your m\TI !>1:orage is
n..·quirements. Most practic:ll of all are glass- to present built up modeL~ 10 a local history or
fronted C:lbinets, eurbo:mls or model display war museum, if one exists with spacc a\~li[ablc.
1,;:lS<-'S which allow the models 1'0 be secn and There are numerous small establishments
which inhibit the ingress of the dn..-aded dust. sueh as control tmn~r museum." adjacent to
If your living room runs to a large coffee historie airfields. Oflcn run on a shoestring.
table this might be adapted to take an enclosed such locations mar be glad of some additional
shclf unit for models, \·iewed through a display items, especially if your model subjttts
gl:lss top. arc relcvant to the units that wcrc once based On
It is howcver a sad fact tbat many of thc the airfield in qucstion. It may only take a phone
models made up do eventually fall into call or an e-m2i1 to eheck.
disrepair through lack of safc storage space and
although all thc pieces that come adrift are
dutifully kept, lhcrc is some inbuilt resistance
to refurbishing if the choice is between taking
the time to do Ihe necessary remedial work all
O\'cr again. or tackling a new kiL
Garden shed or garage storage of models is
another possibility but in Ihcse locations,
absolute frcedom from damp cannol always
be guaranteed, with a consequent detrimental
effeel on the dCl-als and maybe cven the paint
finish_ Ovcrtime some dl-cals will yellow, erack
and peel off - apart that is from those you ma~
·want to remove to refurbish a kit that may no
longer be available.
GP or Le, Tritonal Hed 05in. yellow oond betvveen tvvo 1in banes on nose and tail
"IMF tail bse gear and locking nut on extreme nose, usually
contrasted by yelbN spot on extreme rorward flat erea
•
common to all bombs.
120 Ib 1v",-41 fragmentation yellow nose rings; clive drab body and fins; black stencihtyle ,
bCllb wording
4.5in. M-l 0 rocke- launcher dark green/clive drab exterior with red inte-ior •
tubes
4,5in, HVAR red nose, white body, red fins (practice round)
N''€ral Isteell tanks [108 gel I light grey with two red oonds; some in derk olive
drab
Elongo'ed teardrop (150--165 gal.) .NMF 0' painted to match aircrcft finish, P::lfticularly
~ommor'lly carried by P-38 and P-47N Slack on night fighters
mE GALLERY 123
APPENDICES
•
APPENDICES 125
Rust, Kenn CAir Forte Story - 51h, 7th, 81h, Freeman, R 5611, Fighter Group (Osprey
91h, JOlh, J2th. 131h, Hlh and J5th Air Aviation Elite series No.2) Osprey
Forus, Aviation Historialll Album, Publishing, Oxford, 2000
California, 1975-82 Hess, WN Z~mJu's Wolfpack, .\1otorbooks,
The 9/1, A" Foru;n World Hitr lI, Aero Osceola, 1992
Publishers, California, 1967
Scutts, JC P-5J Mustang Aces oflhe Eighth Air 78th Fighter Group
Force (Osprey Aircraft of the Aces series Fry, G Etl!:'es of Du:tfrml, Phalanx,
No.1) Osprey Publishing, Oxford, 1994 Minnesota, 1991
P-51 MlISlallg Aces oflhe 91h alld 15th
AA Fs f5 the RAE (Osprey Aircraft of the 339th Fighter Group
Aces series ::-Jo. 7) Osprey Publishing, Harry, GP 33911, Fighier Group, Turner
Oxford, 1995 Publishing, Kentucky, 1991
P-4i Thunderboll Aces oflhe £i!hlh Air
Forer (Osprey Aircraft of the Aces series 352d Fighter Group
:'\0.24) Osprey Publishing, Oxford, 1998 Powell, Robert H, Jr The 8111ellOS( Bastards
Stafford, GAm ofthe Eighlh, of Bodney, Taylor, Texas, 1990
Squadron/Signal Publications, Carol1l'On, Ivie, Thomas G 352d Fighter Group (Osprey
1973 Aviation Elite series No.8) Osprey
Stanaway, J P-38 Lightning Aces ofthe Pacific Publishing, Oxford, 2002
and Clll (Osprey Aircraf[ of the Aces series
No. 14) Osprey Publishing Ltd., Oxford 353d Fighter Group
(1997) Rust, K The Slyblrd GrQup, Aero Publishers,
Wea[herill, D Aircraft and Aces ofIhe 9th, 12th California, 1968
and 15th Air Forces, Koobbura, Cross, GEJonah's Fret ar~ Dry, Thunderbolt
"'le1bourne, 1978 Publishing, Suffolk, 2001
Price, Bill Close Calls, Aviation Usk,
8TH AIR FORCE Washington, 1992
The following: 8th Air Force fighter units haye
had new histories or reprints of earlier ones 35Sth Fighter Group
published in the last three decades or so. Marshall Be Angels, Bulldogs (S Dragons,
\Vartime or immediate postwar histories arc Champlin Fighter Museum, Arizona, 1984
not included. Wells, K Sleeple Morden Straftrs J943-15,
Egon, Herts, 1994
4th Fightel' Group Wells, K Will/peys to Muslfwgs, East Anglia
Fry, G The Debt/ell Eagles, Walker Smith Inc, Books, Herts, 1999
USA,1970
Ethell,] and Fry, G Escort 10 Berlin, Arco 356th Fighter Group
Publishing, New York, 1980 J\1.illcr, Kent 0 Eswrt, Acadl,.'ffiY, Indiana, 1985
Hall, GrO'ier C Jr 1,000 Deslroyed, Ace
Printing, Texas, 1962 357th Fighter Group
Olmsted, M The 357th Over £urop~, Phalanx,
20th Fighter Group Minnesota, 199'!-
Machy, R The 20th Fighur Group, Rust, K The YoxfOrd Boys, Aero Publishers,
Squadron/Signal Publications, Carol lIOn, California, 1971
1995 Roeder,] The 3571h Fig/atr Group,
IIfrer, J flappy Jack's Co Bu,r:gy, Schiffer Squadron/Signal Publications, Carollton,
Publishing Ltd., Altglell, 1998 2000
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Many lhanks 10 lhe following indi"iduals and represenrarins for Verlindcn J)roductions);
organizalions that helped this project reach Thierry Decker for his P-40L profile; Alan
fruition: GaslOn BemaJ, Jr of Aero!\"lasrcr; Griffith from A~\'hech; [h"id Klaus and Soon
• Accurate Miniatures; Qaudinc OJ.andy of
Account:ability; Tom Frisquc of Aviation Us!.:;
Battisroni from Meteor Productions; Lewis Naa:
from Tesoor; Dana Bell; and all the modelers
Humbrol LId; K(,."Im Nunn of Brigade .Models; whose kits appear in The Galk'ry chapter - Ouis
Brian Marsh; Binney & Smith (Rcn:ll-Mono- Wauchop, Darren MOllram, and .Mid. E,=
gram); Lynn Sangster of Hisloro: Agents (UK Finally, a s:pecial thank you to Brett Green..
APPENDK:ES 127
INDEX
'u ilb:.,,,,,.,...
F;,un.. ill bold .....,..
I'laoI> 12
J."l!"U'If;:T'!P"" 3;.~;, i7
...... "
Oo:id<m:al Spil6rr: 50
....... m
I'-lin.....s..t.oll 28.30
~ ..","JJ-oI
pro&<. ll..ll
..... hi>oun<:< .18 ,
,i<lroondO\l) -to
P-JS\l >I I'=m>n, ~ 37. 106 ()rp'~' Pu~ 3],;.1. H ~.
P-WX: ;l>-~ r"'ll-l8.71.n.8ti Qo:.1.± Spitlin: 50, 8i lin oaIr ~Sh'<D ~9
!'..,.if) H.1I9 (""I"n1< Tkoulido"'" 'J(J
1'4iN ;1,120 "'m 11+ 1'_26I'e»hooI« (l~orinI:l •.1 I'..~ l.i~h,"in~ 53. n.'i
..\«U,O« .\Iini.:ttur«: 1'·;1 ,\'",".n~ lH, 12\ l'-liThu""I"b"h JO 1'_.;.1 (S<,,,,,,kj'l ~3. ill 1'-l()£ 52, 7h 7
I",.II<! jJ'.gmcn 39 1'_.>61·bwk «)Jet;,,) ~), 70·1 1'-17 ~2. 95
adh"'i,'C< 11, B-5, 79 7'1It C"., PI""" ("id<Ul ol(j I'_.~ 1.;~h'n;n~ Il..<><.l>«dl 9, -13, .13, 71 3. 1'-;\ J\Iu"."~ !I, 52. 33, IU
A,~u tXt,;1 ..,.;.... 37 ru'" 1(13 115.116 l'_iO S7
,\,,,,,,,,,,,or; tr2D>f"",
28.19.71 .....",k 56 p_19."i~ (Il<D) 3~, ~3, ", 5ll. 5', 6l. 6J. Sr:rillirr: 87
\"CoDmion:P-66h"fllOl'l.;(,
...tlrui.ho H.:!2 j. '13
ariold ,-.hid« 10f>-lI
,--...ri<Id ,-dlidc. 106
w.n
P-40\\:m--l: (Cun...j ]2.;.1, n,.I8, 43,
III 3. ". 67, 7+.81. 10. R Iii, 118
mn>, tuhI:>in: ...... n 95·6
nrlct. 51 2
ruddrn;,p....7~ ['-17
......... ~
0taJij lift< ~i
Ill{, P-J:8J 115. II'
1'--40:'0 i8
P 71'1Kmdat>o1' '"
1'.....> u-(R"'--l -16
P-l-tRod.ct(R<pr.bli<J H
l'-li"Ilwndrrt!o>k (Rq.oi>k) '.~.i, H, .i, 81 Z
.-Jq: ..... 12.12
'_..w Jr}'....tp>p<r "
1'-51D:\1~ 6., H. s.4. 39 " 7Jl-30 51 adpiI II _ " 1l.1IO
1'-61 li6 p_SID .\I1Ut1Jli\ H. 8J-.4, 124 """"" 1'l--2l.U3,.lO,31 ..,.10 8-10. 11. 1•. H. <6-7
SI"'&'" j(J, >5.87 Sp"fi", so.
32. Si 8 ~ 14-31, 59-60 I/H 545
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1'--lOII':utu.w~ Iii !I';ln'...." 13 "",ioco; IY 1/.S ~9-H
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tud '''"'' j() 1/72 ~S-'J
1'-401.: 79 I>obh" .."",1, 63 r",d,,1:" H 25. 27 S,.I, .-j""'",,, M"'k!" -16
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p +i' '>1 ;n"""""" pand m. 21 ..,;1>.
.... 1l.llO
101: Spitfuc -+II.. SO intrriot dr1.;) 21 _bo:l" n,ll,76
lWI<l.oi P_;IU j.i
m..pio"",....rI.irIp ond '''''I:'''" rurtmp>nd II'tWp". U.2'J.19.31 ..,., ,1,61,108. 7.
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52 . . . prnbIrmo 1';"'18 1/.fl1",*SO
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"",,,pi<> .in;r>ds 31 cull"", 13. 14. 1~
m.... ;n~ 101-2, JUl, 1115 t.:<nw.l1 Model c,""I'",n)' (K.\IC) (i, l'-l7DTh,,""'-rtluh (Iltl"'hl;"j 'k>, ;1. \104. 9>. 119 5<I",.,]r""/S;~:ruII'"~i<,,,""" 3•..15..l!, .>t,
P_HThunoc'b,,!r 15-16 Ki"'~)·. Tkon J6,71 l'_.7,\1 ThunJ",""h (Ilo:publie) .9 -""""ge 112-13
p.>in,ing 98 ",Ii". 13 l'_<7NTh""J"bolt (R,pulo];c) 51,120 '"PpJ)' 1OUm:< 55
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ChinJftwd \1",kL\rnxlrnmt(C".\l.\) 8 (,1-2,82-6 T.rni~~
cUm", 2.>, '" l~ 1'tOOu<t> p_51....\I ......... (''''th.'un<ri<:>n) 121 Ai<f......"Si1vr:f(opnJ·~"') '16
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p-5IBM ... ~ ~S,61.1ll, III
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