1:48 P-38 F-G engines

Engines for the P-38 F and G, 1:48 scale, Black Dog

The set is a resin accessory for a model of the twin-engine Lockheed P-38 Lightning fighter in the F and G versions, not a standalone aircraft kit. The name is in the plural, so the set is intended for more than one power plant. A resin casting carries deeper and sharper detail than injected plastic, so it comes into its own anywhere you leave the engine bay open.

The real subject

The P-38 Lightning was an American twin-engine fighter with a twin-boom layout and a pilot nacelle in the middle. Each boom housed a liquid-cooled Allison V12 together with a turbocharger and the radiators, and that is exactly why the engine section of the Lightning is a rewarding subject for detail accessories. The F and G versions belong to the earlier series, which differ in the details of the nacelles from later forms.

Building and painting tips

Wash the parts in lukewarm soapy water and rid them of mold release agent, otherwise the paint will not hold. Cut the casting blocks off with a saw or a knife, level the surface and protect your airways when sanding. Glue them with super glue (cyanoacrylate), as cement for plastic will not join resin. Paint the engines completely before fitting them, and bear in mind that on a twin-engine aircraft you need to keep to the same procedure on both sides so that the shades match. Liven up the metal surfaces with graphite or metallic pigments, bring out the lines with a dark wash and add traces of service sparingly.

Who the set is for

• modelers building the P-38 Lightning in 1:48 scale
• builders of models with open engine sections
• creators of maintenance dioramas
• more experienced modelers with experience of resin

The set is an accessory for a base kit and is supplied unpainted. Glue, paints and the model itself are not included in the package. Check the match with your kit before you buy.