Vintage Monogram P-38 Lightning

[BlackSheep214]

Bought this kit at Syrcon this past weekend. Seller asking $10 for it. Told him I did that kit as a kid, he offered me $5 for it after hearing my story. It was still in its original sealed shrink wrap. Sold! I accept!



Upon opening the box, I was surprised in the condition it was in. Silver molds, typical as it was in my youth years. Parts off sprues probably due to its age of the kit. No biggie. Sorted out and placed them in a plastic container.

This is as far as I got as of last night...

The office, minus the seat and joystick



Belly tanks



Twin booms minus landing struts. I'm doing this one wheels up.



Keep in mind, this particular kit gives you the option to build
in 4 options:
P-38J Fighter/Bomber
Pathfinder
F-58 Photo Reconnaissance and the
P-38M Night Fighter

I've decided to build as an F-58 Photo Reconn aircraft.
With that being said, some plastic surgery is needed.

Instruction guide says to cut off a front portion off from lower main wing part. Surgery was done using my hobby saw...



I have assembled the nose part last night and letting it dry overnight. I also need to cut open holes on nose panels for windows.

Seeing this again brought back fond frustration as a kid trying to do surgery when I wanted to build the two seater Night Fighter. Remember that portion where you had to cut out the canopy section around the cockpit between the wings? Oh the horror and nightmare... LOL!

[BlackSheep214]

Since I'm doing the Photo Reconn version, which color would be a close match for PRU Blue? Some say XF-18 Medium Blue, others list as Intermediate Blue. Looking at various photos gets me thinking. Check this one out:

I'm guessing this one is retouched WW2 photo. Seems too blue to me, no?



Same here...




This is looks to be a sun beaten weathered PRU Blue....

[BlackSheep214]

Since I'm doing the Photo Reconn version, which color would be a close match for PRU Blue? Some say XF-18 Medium Blue, others list as Intermediate Blue. Looking at various photos gets me thinking. Check this one out:

I'm guessing this one is retouched WW2 photo. Seems too blue to me, no?




Same here...




This is looks to be a sun beaten weathered PRU Blue....

[keavdog]

Wow that kit brings back memories! Great deal on that one. Should be a very cool, rare addition to your collection in blue.

[BlackSheep214]

FWIW... I know there's a PRU Blue paint out there. Just wondered if there's a good substitution for PRU Blue.

[Stikpusher]

That kit brings back some memories.

The F-5B Lightinings were painted in Syhthetic Haze, PRU Blue, or standard OD 41 over NG 43. PRU Blue is an RAF color and can be found in several paint companies’ product lines, as can the OD/NG. Synthetic Haze paint is an interesting color that as far as I know, only Xtra Color makes in their enamel line.

https://www.paulbudzik.com/models/tamiy ... n-pg2.html

[keavdog]

Wow that synthetic haze looks really cool.

[cbaltrin]

I loved building that kit as a kid, especially was intrigued by the gun compartment and the different versions you could build. Great Monogram classic!

[jeaton01]

I think I have PRU Blue in Humbrol. I think it had a serious fading problem.

[BlackSheep214]

That kit brings back some memories.

The F-5B Lightinings were painted in Syhthetic Haze, PRU Blue, or standard OD 41 over NG 43. PRU Blue is an RAF color and can be found in several paint companies’ product lines, as can the OD/NG. Synthetic Haze paint is an interesting color that as far as I know, only Xtra Color makes in their enamel line.

https://www.paulbudzik.com/models/tamiy ... n-pg2.html

Thank you for these info. Looks like I’m gonna find me some PRU Blue or even Synthetic Haze…. IF I can find it. I know Scalehobbyist doesn’t carry Xtracolor paint line. I will look around though. I wished I had looked at Syrcon this past Sunday had I known about that color. They did have quite a few tins of Xtracolor paint line … new tins too! Oh well… next year, I’ll be more prepared next time around. You never know though.