1:48 P-38 Lightning propeller

Propeller for the P-38 Lightning 1:48

A Quickboost accessory that offers a ready-made replacement propeller part for the P-38 Lightning model in 1:48 scale. On a finished model the propeller is one of the first places the eye falls on: the blades should be thin, with a smooth twist and a sharp edge. The kit part tends to be thicker because of the limits of molding, with a rounded blade edge, so the swap shows straight away.

The real subject

The P-38 Lightning was an American twin-engine fighter of unusual symmetrical layout: the cockpit sat in the central nacelle, and two tail booms ran back from it, each with an engine at the front. The propellers of the two engines turned in opposite directions, so the torques canceled each other out and the aircraft did not pull to one side when power was added. That pair of large propellers is among the things by which the machine is recognized at first glance.

Building tips

• the parts are not polystyrene, they glue with cyanoacrylate glue
• cut the excess material away a little distance from the part with a sharp blade and sand the remainder off carefully
• wash and degrease the part before painting, otherwise the paint will not hold
• the blades are thin, so support them while sanding to keep them from bending
• try the shaft seating dry before you reach for the glue

Terms of supply

An accessory part is supplied. The model, glue and paints are not part of the delivery, unless stated otherwise. Check the kit the part is cut for in the instructions of the manufacturer.