Small Scale Military Headquarters

forgive me if i'm wrong, but i was thinking about the p-38. according to the stencils, it's a P-38L (wish i had it in front of me while writing this). however, my question is: have any of the planes that have been represented by the different paint schemes actually been an L model? seems most of the paint schemes have covered the J model, and i'm just wondering if 21C hasn't truly exploited this mold. i know the differences between the two are really tiny, but i think it's interesting if they've never accurately represented the model they chose...

Nooker:

Your absolutely right. None of the P-38 paint schemes were L models. All, with the exception of "Shark" (F-6) were J models. Remember, there were a lot of questionable decisions made throughout the first 3 series of XD planes. The rocket tubes on the P-38 actually detract from it's looks, but I think it was there just to wow kids with all the guns and stuff.......

In addition to fictional schemes, other misrepresentations include the Korean War Corsair (a F4U-5) the Winter 109 (a 109F) and the D-Day Spitfire (a MK V). Things are looking ever better, though.......

-Ski

that's what i thought. it seems that while every mold has had an inaccurate paint job or two, this is the only plane that has had every paint job be technically wrong. Oh, and I took off those rocket tubes the moment I got mine, and boy what a difference their absence makes. Come to think of it, I've never even attached the rocket trees on the wings...

The inaccuracy is there, however, as you pointed out the differences between the L and J models were slight, so it can be passed off. I've thought about removing the rocket tubes (why they were ever there?) but don't want to detract from the potential value of the plane by botching a custom job. I still think that the P-38 is one of the coolest XD planes and it is currently the largest in that particular line! It looks great just sitting on the table in my room!

The P-38 won't be the biggest for too much longer MuuuaaagghhhH!!!!

-Ski

The rocket tubes are actually pretty easy to remove. They are just glued in and mine popped out with very little effort. They leave two small, inoffensive holes in the fuselage that i didn't even bother to try and cover up. They almost look like they're supposed to be there....and it looks so much better without those tubes. I've got my Samantha Payton in flight with the only ordnance being the drop tanks on the wings and she looks wonderful..

Ive got a pic of Hali with those things actually on!
I removed them even from my Hali.

Andrew,

You're tempting me to do just that, remove the tubes after 2 years of display!

-Ski

I came across a cut-away diagram of a P38 in a WWII aviation book clearly showing those early-type rocket tubes mounted on the fuselage just like 21C has them on their P38. However, I think the multiple HVAR rocket mounts under the wings came later. I don't think the two types of rockets were used simultaneously. Anyone on the board from Lockheed?