F P-38G-13-LO, s/n 43-2264, flown by Lt. Rex Barber, 347th FG, 339th FS, Guadalcanal, April 18, 1943

38H52

13H53

48 86

US WWII FIGHTER

Early Lightnings 1174

1:48 SCALE PLASTIC KIT

introThe Lockheed P-38 Lightning was developed to a United States Army Air Corps requirement. It became famous not only for its performance

in the skies of WWII, but also for its unusual appearance. The Lightning, designed by the Lockheed team led by Chief Engineer Clarence 'Kelly' Johnson, was a complete departure from conventional

airframe design. Powered by two liquid cooled inline V-1710 engines, it was almost twice the size of other US fighters and was armed with four .50 cal. machine guns plus a 20 mm cannon, giving the Lightning not only the firepower to deal with enemy aircraft, but also the capability to inflict heavy damage on ships.

The first XP-38 prototype, 37-457, was built under tight secrecy and made its maiden flight on January 27, 1939. The USAAF wasn´t satisfied with the big new fighter, but gave permission for a transcontinental speed dash on February 11, 1939. During this event, test pilot Kelsey crashedat Mitchell Field, NY. Kelsey survived the cash but the airplane was written off. Despite this, Lockheed received a contract for thirteen preproduction YP-38s.

The first production version was the P-38D (35 airplanes only armed with 37mm cannon), followed by 210 P-38Es which reverted back to the20 mm cannon. These planes began to arrive in October 1941 just before America entered World War II.

The next versions were P-38F, P-38G, P-38H and P-38J. The last of these introduced an improved shape of the engine nacelles with redesigned air intakes and cooling system. Also, the curved windscreen was replaced by a flat one.

One of the Lightning´s weaknesses was a huge vibration during dive attacks caused by transsonic airflow on the wings. Lockheed never solved this problem, but dive brakes were installed under each wing from P-38J-25 production block to maintain control when diving at high-speed.

The fastest of the Lightnings was the P-38J with a top speed of 420 mph, and the version produced in the greatest quantity was theP-38L - 3,735 left the Lockheed factory while 113 left Vultee assembly lines. So-called 'Drop Snoots' were fitted with bombardier type noses, and used to lead formations of bomb-laden P-38s to their targets.

The P-38M was a two-seat radar-equipped night fighter, a few of which had become operational before the war ended. As noted above, the P-38 was the biggest singleseat fighter to serve with the USAAF. Its overall length was 11.53 m; height was 3.00 m and

wingspan was 15.85 m. The -J version weighed in at 6,214 kg empty and 9,980 kg loaded.The P-38 was the only US fighter aircraft produced throughout US involvement in World War Two, from Pearl Harbor to Victory over Japan Day.The P-38 was used in a number of roles, including dive bombing, horizontal bombing, ground-attack, photo reconnaissance missions, and

extensively as a long-range escort fighter.The US top aces, Richard Bong (40 victories) and Thomas McGuire (38 victories), flew this aircraft in the Pacific Theater of Operations. P-38s

also served in the China-Burma-India Theater and in the South West Pacific area, and was the primary long-range fighterof the USAAF until the arrival of adequate numbers of P-51D Mustangs in 1944/45.

The internal fuel capacity of 410 gallons could be increased to 1,010 gallons with two external drop tanks. This enabled the Lightning to flya distance of 3,640 km, allowing it to become one of the most feared fighters in the Pacific War as well as the first fighter ready and able to carry out long range escort missions for four-engined bombers over Europe.

Miss Virginia was the personal aircraft of Robert Petit of the 70th FS / 349th FG. On April 18, 1943 it was borrowed by Lt. Rex Barber for a special mission. The task of this mission was destroying the airp ane that carried Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, the most important person of the Japanese armed forces and architect of the Pearl Harbor attack. Thanks to Yamamoto's tendancy to be on time, the mission was a success and Barber and Capt. Thomas Lanphier shared the kill that brought down Yamamoto. Barber´s P-38 had over 100 holes suffering damage from pieces of Yamamoto´s stricken bomber. The kill marks symbolize a destroyer sunk on March 29, 1943 and two Rufe floatplanes downed on February 27, 1943. The aircraft was named after Petit´s fiancée, Miss Virginia Woodard.

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ÈESKOU VERZI TEXTU A KOMPLETNÍ KAMUFLÁŽNÍ SCHÉMA NALEZNETE NAw w w . e d u a r d . c o m / s / 1 1 7 4

Pred zapocetím stavby si peclive prostudujte stavební návod. Pri používání barev a lepidel pracujte v dobre vetrané místnosti. Lepidla ani barvy nepoužívejte v blízkosti otevreného ohne. Model není urcen malým detem, mohlo by dojít k požití drobných dílu.

Carefully read instruction sheet before assembling. When you use glue or paint, do not use near open flame and use in well ventilated room. Keep out of reach of small children. Children must not be allowed to suck any part, or pull vinyl bag over the head.

Von dem Zusammensetzen die Bauanleitung gut durchlesen. Kleber und Farbe nicht nahe von offenem Feuer verwenden und das Fenster von Zeit zu Zeit Belüftung öffnen. Bausatz von kleinen Kindern fernhalten. Verhüten Sie, daß Kinder irgendwelche Bauteile in den Mund nehmen oder Plastiktüten über den Kopf ziehen.

Iire soigneusement la fiche d´instructions avant d´assembler. Ne pas utiliser de colle ou de peinture a p roximité d´une flamme nue, et aérer la piece de temps en temps. Garder hors de portée des enfants en bas âge. Ne pas laisser les enfants mettre en bouche ou sucer les pieces, o u p asser u n s achet v inyl s ur l a t ete.

`

INSTRUKTION SINNBILDEN INSTR. SYMBOLY SYMBOLES INSTRUCTION SIGNS

APPLY EDUARD MASKAND PAINT

POUŽÍT EDUARD MASKNABARVIT

OPTIONALVOLBA

FACULTATIFNACH BELIEBEN

BENDOHNOUT

PLIER SIL VOUS PLAITBITTE BIEGEN

OPEN HOLEVYVRTAT OTVORFAIRE UN TROU

OFFNEN

SYMETRICAL ASSEMBLYSYMETRICKÁ MONTÁŽ

MONTAGE SYMÉTRIQUESYMMETRISCHE AUFBAU

NOTCHZÁØEZ

L INCISIONDER EINSCHNITT

REMOVEODØÍZNOUT

RETIRERENTFERNEN

UPOZORNÌNÍ ATTENTION ACHTUNG ATTENTION

DÍLYPARTS TEILE PIECES

2

BARVYCOLOURS FARBEN PEINTURE

PLASTIC PARTS

PE - PHOTO ETCHED DETAIL PARTS

A>

Tire>

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Mr.COLORAQUEOUS

GSi Creos (GUNZE)

C3H 13 FLAT RED

C33H 12 FLAT BLACK

C62H 11 FLAT WHITE

C6H 6 GREEN

C5H 5 BLUE

C4H 4 YELLOW

Mr.METAL COLOR

SM06 CHROME SILVER

Mr. METALLIC COLOR SUPER

DARK IRONMC214

ALUMINIUMMC218OLIVE DRAB C38H 52

C41H 47 RED BROWN

Mr.COLORAQUEOUS

TIRE BLACKH 77 C137

C27H 58 INTERIOR GREEN

C13H 53 NEUTRAL GRAY

GREENH 302 C302

B> D>

E>

C>

G>

F>

RP - RESIN PARTS

R1R1R2 R3

R42pcs.

R52pcs.

R62pcs.

R74pcs.

R82pcs.

R152pcs.

R10

R12 R13

R17 R18 R19 R21 R25

R9a2pcs. R11

R16 R20 R22 R23 R24 R26

R8a2pcs.

R9b2pcs.

R14

R27 R28 R29 R30

R11

R12

C33H 12

FLAT BLACK

C33H 12

FLAT BLACK

C27H 58

INT. GREEN

3

A B

C

PE7

PE6

PE11

PE11

PE3

PE19PE10

PE12

PE10

PE13

D

R14

R15

R15

R11

PE18

PE4

PE3

PE12

PE13

PE9

R17

R18

C27H 58

INT. GREEN

C27H 58

INT. GREEN

B

A

C

R18

R19

R13

R25

R17

R10

C27H 58

INT. GREEN

C27H 58

INT. GREEN

C27H 58

INT. GREEN

C33H 12

FLAT BLACK

C27H 58

INT. GREEN

R16

PE2

PE1

PE5

C33H 12

FLAT BLACK

C27H 58

INT. GREEN

C33H 12

FLAT BLACK

R12

R26

R27

R21

R20

C27H 58

INT. GREEN

C33H 12

FLAT BLACK

C33H 12

FLAT BLACK

decal C

R23

R22

R24

R28

C27H 58

INT. GREEN

C33H 12

FLAT BLACK

C33H 12

FLAT BLACK

decal A decal B

decalE

decal D

C33H 12

FLAT BLACK

C41H 47

RED BROWN

R12

PE20

PE21

PE15

PE16

C33H 12

FLAT BLACKC33H 12

FLAT BLACK

A2

4

E F

G H

I J

PE45 PE50

PE43

PE44

PE47

PE46

PE27

F29

F32

F33 F34

TIRELARGE

E23

E222 pcs. 2 pcs.

PE34

PE35

F12

E15

E16

D4, D7

D5, D6

PE42

PE41PE42

PE41

PE49

R6

R4R5

F30 F31

F35 F36

F27

F28

PE32

PE33

F17C27H 58

INT. GREEN

SM06CHROME SILVER

C137H 77

TIRE BLACK

C27H 58

INT. GREEN

C33H 12

FLAT BLACK

MC218ALUMINIUM

MC218ALUMINIUM

MC218ALUMINIUM

A2

A1

D

F14C27H 58

INT. GREEN

G

H

E

F

R8

PE36

PE37

B1

B2

B3

B4

MC218ALUMINIUM

C27H 58

INT. GREEN

C27H 58

INT. GREEN

MC218ALUMINIUM

D19

PE52MC218

ALUMINIUM

PE51

R8a

R8 - MARKINGS

D E; ONLY

A2

G2

G2

A2

PE25PE24

PE17 C27H 58

INT. GREEN

D13 D1

D3

D3

I

J

D23

D22

D14

5

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N

K

L

E20

TIRESMALL

D11

D10

D9

D12

F8 F6

F5 F7

E18

PE14

PE31

PE22

F1

F2

F3

F4

F9

F10

PE26

F26C38H 52

OLIVE DRAB

MC218ALUMINIUM

MC218ALUMINIUM

C38H 52

OLIVE DRAB

PE39

R3

R2

R1

PE38

PE30

MC218ALUMINIUM

D22, D23

- 3,5 mm

PE30

G1

G6

G5

G3

R29

R1

R4 2 pcs. R4 2 pcs.

G7 G2

G7

G1

PE48

R9b

R9b

R7

R7

R7

R7

F20

F22

F21F24

F23

E1 E2

E1 E2

E1 E2

E4

E3

E5

MC214DARK IRON

MC214DARK IRON

MC214DARK IRON

MC214DARK IRON

MC214DARK IRON

R9a

PE48

R9a

R

P

weight

K

L

N

M

D2

F11D16

F18

E14E18

D30

20g

M

N

D17

C27H 58

INT. GREEN

C27H 58

INT. GREEN

SM06CHROME SILVER

SM06CHROME SILVER

C137H 77

TIRE BLACK

6

G4

G5

G6

C9

C10

C10

MC218ALUMINIUM

MC218ALUMINIUM

MC218ALUMINIUM

O

O

C10 C9

PE40

PE40

PPE29

A1

PE28

A1

R

MC218ALUMINIUM

PE8

R30

R29

G1

PE23

C33H 12

FLAT BLACK

C33H 12

FLAT BLACK

C3H 13

RED

C33H 12

FLAT BLACK

MC218ALUMINIUM

MC218ALUMINIUM

MARKING E ONLY

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A P-38F-5-LO, s/n 42-12623, flown by Capt. Robert L. Faurot, 35th FG, 39th FS, Port Moresby, New Guinea,January, 1943

Robert L. Faurot (2 v.) flew Spitfires and Hurricanes with No. 303 (Polish) and No. 306 Squadrons, RAF, before his transfer to the Pacific area. He was the very first pilot of the 5th AF to down a Japanese aircraft. The unusual kill happened on November 11, 1942 over the Japanese airbase at Lae, New Guinea. As Faurot passed over the Japanese airstrip, he quickly released two 500 pound bombs so he could engage in the pending dogfight. The bombs exploded in the water at the end of the airstrip, just as the Japanese aircraft rotated off the runway. A Zero flew through the explosion and crashed into the water. Robert Faurot was awarded the Air Medal for this mission.Faurot was killed in action on March 3, 1943, escorting B-17s. His Lightning was hit by Zeroes during the Battle of the Bismarck Sea.

7

OLIVE DRAB38

H5213

H53GREY BLACK 33

H124

H4YELLOW

5H5

BLUE

38H52

13H53

13H53

38H52

13H53

5H5

5H5

38H52

38H52

13H53

13H53

38H52

38H52

5H5

5H5

33H12

4H4

46

34

48

5857

45

48

61

60a

56

50

67

61

5860b

58

67

6362

59?

6465

70

66

6968

7071

73 72

61

61

13H53

58

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eduard

B P-38F-15-LO, s/n 43-2166 , 1st FG, 27th FS, Tunisia, 1943

The 1st Fighter Group entered WWII in Great Britain and moved to North Africa as a part of the forces to support Operation Torch, the Allied landing in North Africa. The Lightning here sports a huge scoreboard indicating mission tallies and three kills, typical of P-38s of the 27th Fighter Squadron. The standard camouflage schemeof Olive Drab / Neutral Gray also carries the HV code letters and red markings. The serial number on the port vertical stabilizer is rendered unusually with only four digits. The missing digit, a '3', likely was obliterated during superficial touch-ups during maintenance or repair.

8

OLIVE DRAB 38H52FRESH PAINT

3H13

RED OLIVE DRAB38

H5213

H53GREY BLACK 33

H124

H4YELLOW

38H52

13H53

13H53

38H52

13H53

13H53

3H13

38H52

38H52

13H53

13H53

38H52

38H52

3H13

3H13

313

33H12

4H4

46

34

53 77 80

3H13

313

313

52

76+75 74

7838H52

45

81

?79

77 53 146

38H52

38H52

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eduard

C P-38G-15-LO, flown by Lt. James Hagenback, 1st FG, 94th FS, Monserrato, Sardinia, 1943

The 1st FG moved from North Africa to Italy in December, 1943, as the first unit of the newly formed 15th AF. Based in Italy, the group operated over Europe, including the famous attacks on the oil refineries at Ploesti, Romania. This Lightning was flown by Lt. J. Hagenback, with the 94th FS. The color profile shows the aircraft priorto September 27th, 1943. Promoted to the rank of Captain, Hagenback served as squadron CO between the 27th of September 1943 to January 24th, 1944. The yellow marking and UN code letters identified this as a 94th Fighter Squadron aircraft.

94

H4YELLOW OLIVE DRAB

38H52

13H53

GREY BLACK 33H12

38H52

13H53

13H53

38H52

13H53

4H4

4H4

38H52

38H52

13H53

13H53

38H52

38H52

4H4

4H4

33H12

4H4

46

34

53 104

119 142

109+111

45

104 53 102

108a

141

103

?110

52

4H4

4H4

145

13H53

4H4

4H4

103 102

108b

119143144

107

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eduard

D P-38H-5-LO, flown by Lt. Kenneth G. Ladd, 8th FG, 80th FS, Dobodura AB, New Guinea, February, 1944

Kenneth G. Ladd is credited with 12 victories. The starboard nose sports the artwork of an almost nude girl with a very interesting inscription. Some modellers readit as 'Virgin X'. In fact, it is not the red letter 'X', but the word 'Virgin' crossed out in red. The nose art then takes on a different meaning altogether. This is a good exampleof how free American pilots were to express their feelings on their aircraft. The green marking identifies this as an 80th FS aircraft, the unit badge - a native - is paintedon the port side of the nose. The national insignia are not the standard ones outlined in red or blue, but an intermediate rendition created from the older circular insignia with added white bars.

104

H4YELLOW OLIVE DRAB

38H52

13H53

GREY BLACK 33H12

WHITE62

H11GREEN 6

H6OLIVE DRAB 38

H52FRESH PAINT

38H52

13H53

13H53

38H52

13H53

6H6

38H52

38H52

13H53

13H53

38H52

38H52

6H6

6H6

6H6

62H11

33H12

4H4

13H53

46

34

55

89

45

55

88

54

91

87

90

93

62H11

6H6

38H52

38H52

38H52

38H52

82

84

38H52

85

92

62H11

62H11

62H11

6H6

6H6

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E P-38H-5-LO, s/n 42-67008, flown by Lt. A. F. Thompson, 80th FG, 459th FS, Burma, 1944

Lightnings flown by the 459th Fighter Squadron are easily recognised thanks to their unique green snake artwork. The unit was active against the Japanese forcesin Burma and took delivery of their P-38s in April, 1944. The majority of P-38s delivered were late variant P-38Js and only one P-38H is known, recently uncovered. Based on rough documents, it was flown by Lt. F. A. Thompson.

114

H4YELLOW OLIVE DRAB

38H52

13H53

GREY BLACK 33H12

WHITE62

H11GREEN 302

H302

MC218ALUMINIUM

38H52

13H53

13H53

38H52

13H53

302H302

38H52

302H302

13H53

13H53

38H52

38H52

302H302

302H302

302H302

33H12

4H4

62H11

33H12

62H11

33H12

MC218

13H53

46

34

49

45

49

121

51

120

113

101112

122

113

9899

124 125

101 100

135136

100101

129 126

130 127

128

9796

140

123

131

138

134 137

139133132

302H302

100

APPLY MASK, STEP 1

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F P-38G-13-LO, s/n 43-2264, flown by Lt. Rex Barber, 347th FG, 339th FS, Guadalcanal, April 18, 1943

Miss Virginia was the personal aircraft of Robert Petit of the 70th FS / 349th FG. On April 18, 1943 it was borrowed by Lt. Rex Barber for a special mission. The taskof this mission was destroying the airp ane that carried Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, the most important person of the Japanese armed forces and architect of the Pearl Harbor attack. Thanks to Yamamoto's tendancy to be on time, the mission was a success and Barber and Capt. Thomas Lanphier shared the kill that brought down Yamamoto. Barber´s P-38 had over 100 holes suffering damage from pieces of Yamamoto´s stricken bomber. The kill marks symbolize a destroyer sunk on March 29, 1943 and two Rufe floatplanes downed on February 27, 1943. The aircraft was named after Petit´s fiancée, Miss Virginia Woodard.

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4H4

YELLOW OLIVE DRAB38

H5213

H53GREY BLACK 33

H12

46

34

48

105

45

48

95a

50

106

95b

86

9483

8386

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© EDUARD M.A., 2012 www.eduard.com Printed in Czech Republic12

EARLY LIGHTNIGS

eduard

STENCIL VARIANTS

N O S T E P

N O S T E P

N O S T E P

N O S T E P

L

R

L

R

29b

29b29c

29c

TOP

12

7 31 4 5 6

6

27

16

19 28

23

12

14

22

8

21

1015

1511

2216

169

2313

30

32

43

20

17

29a

29a

29a

29a

44

43

31

33

43

20

25

26

26

35

36

37

37

39

39

39

39

41

42

14

18

40

40

38

38