P-38J Lightning

The Italeri P-38J Lightning finished to depict “BAMBI” of 55th FG 338th Fighter Squadron in its D-Day ground attack role.

I’ve painted a set of July 1944 invasion stripes and had to quite a bit of cutting and filing to rework the undercarriage flaps to go for the wheels up config as one of my scale modelling buddies, mr.airfox asked for.

The undercarriage and wheels are actually very nicely moulded but in order to avoid the inevitable tail sitter issues this will be mounted on a stand. 

As I’ve messed with Italeri’s plans to have their kit  finished with undercarriage lowered, I’m not now going to be able to display their lovely detailed cockpit interior with open canopy as many others have done.  An aircraft in flight, after all, has to have a pilot so I’ve had to raid my spares box! 

It looks good and sleek in the painted plastic but difficult to really see its beauty on its stand. I fitted drop tanks as just after D-Day Allied planes were still flying the channel as airfields were built and just check out those rocket launchers!

Dogfight Double - Me109 v Beaufighter

 Phew, this charity shop acquisition of Airfix A50037 1:72 scale Dogfight Doubles is finally complete.

This 2008 reissued set contains a 1973 moulding of a Messerschmitt Bf109G and a 1958 moulded Bristol Beaufighter TF.X. and without exception they are showing their age. 

I’ve finished the pair with brush using the provided pots of acrylic paint.  The Beaufighter is in the colours of 404 squadron Royal Canadian Airforce based at Wick in 1944 and the Bf109G as JG53 “Pik As” based in Sicily 1943. The likelihood that these would have, therefore, met in a dogfight is so unlikely to say the least. 

Being without doubt the worst kits and finish of any I’ve completed in quite some time, I fear for their future. I foresee a dusting disaster on the horizon!

Now back to the P-38 Lightening which has been patiently awaiting a return to the bench! 

Sherman Firefly Vc

 Next up .. the 1:35 scale British Sherman Firefly Vc from Dragon models. 

8 packets of sprue, 3D printed, metal and photo etched parts. Just look at that bag loaded with track pieces!

Making progress with the Sherman Firefly Vc. 

Having built dozens of these over the years it’s amazing how familiar the Sherman is to me. This is very fortunate as Dragon Models instructions are somewhat questionable, with important bits and steps overlooked, incorrectly numbered parts and a distinct lack of clear guidance on where some pieces even go.

This kit is a real mixed bag but I’m enjoying it and that’s the main thing 

The main elements of the Firefly are now together ready for painting. I still have the tracks of which there look to be over 100 pieces, but that’s for later.

My Dragon Models Firefly has now had its base camouflage colour applied over my favoured black primer. I know I some may say I should probably have gone with Olive Green but I want this to look 100% British and thus US Sherman colours are out! 

 

My assumption here is that although the host Sherman would have arrived from the US in its factory fresh olive drab, once the British had fitted their new and improved 17-pounder, they would have given it a fresh coat of paint.

I've, therefore, gone for a bottle of AK11373 Khaki Green No.3. from the AK Interactive paint set: "British Army Colours North-West Europe, 1941-44". I've never used this before, but it is apparently the green that the British Army used during WW2 and definitely has a more brown hew to that of the Olive Drab; I guess this also reflects the two nation's uniform choices, British khaki v US green. Food for thought.

Time for the tracks. These are the most detailed I have ever attempted and there are no flexible track alternatives! 164 parts and this is just part of one side! 

Day 3 on these tracks and the build goes on! 

I have never known anything like these from Dragon models. I’ve not counted all the bits needed but I can’t think there will be less that 300. 

It took around 500 pieces over 5 days to construct these tracks. While, I’m all for adding a bit more realism, I think Dragon Models lost the plot here. The instructions were less than helpful and eventual fitting around the rear and forward drive wheels appears all wrong. I’m just glad I recently picked up a big tub of Humbrol Smart Mud as this is going to be most handy in disguising this most disappointing finish

Well, I couldn’t leave those tracks looking like that after all. Another couple of house stripping them down and using fuse wire, superglue and a lot of trimming I’ve created a more realistic look but feel a good application mud will still be required.

I’ve also interviewed a 3DGizmo figure for the tank commander role. The Dragon Models figure is built, but I’m not sure he’s going to make the grade. Will see how both shape up as the build continues. 

Next up is the loading of accessories and fun weathering bit.

Finally! Dragon Models 1:35 scale British Sherman Firefly Vc in the markings of 13/18th Royal Hussars, 27th Armoured Brigade, Normandy 1944. 

Using Vallejo and AK Acrylics, Abteilung 502 oils, MIG Pigments, 3DGizmo figure and scratch built camo netting, apart from the 500 piece track design, this has been a joy to build! 

This completes my 1:35 scale D-Day80 AFV model collection … what next