Lockheed P-38J Lightning Lt. Colonel Charles H. Macdonald - Aircraft of the Aces GB

[brucejscott]

Username - brucejscott
First Name - Bruce
Category - Intermediate
Scale - 1/48th
Manufacturer - Academy
Model Type - Lockheed P-38L Lightning
Aftermarket Parts - None
Decals - Kit


This is going to be the model of (then) Lt. Colonel Charles Henry "Mac" MacDonald's P-38L Lightning " Putt Putt Maru" as it appeared when he was Group Commander of the 475th Fighter Group in the Pacific, based at Dobodura New Guinea. He's something of a local boy as he is from Dubois, Pennsylvania less than 2 hours drive from my house.



Here's the man himself with his mount...






... and here is the machine.





And here is one buttload of plastic to put together.





There are going to have to be some modifications made to this kit as it represents something of a hybrid between the P-38 J & L.

1) Delete the blisters for the four booster fuel pumps under the wings ( only present on the L)

2)Add a landing light to the port underside wing

3)Fill in the aileron trim tabs

4)May have to remove the compressibility flaps. I'm not sure about this as they were added during the P-38J production run but I'm not sure when in relation to this machine. If anybody has any clues, or better yet answers, I would appreciate the help. The machines serial number was #44-53095.

[brucejscott]

I did manage to find this period image. There is a shadow under the wing that is in the right place for a flap. I blew the image up 400% and though grainy, it does look like it is there. The interesting thing about the picture is that it appears to show a landing/taxi light on the port wing leading edge. Some more research is clearly in order.

[ozhawk40]

Hi Bruce

Another great aircraft and aces lined up I see.

Charles MacDonald's ship was either a P-38L-5 #44-25643 or #44-25471 and was not #44-53095. The latter number is a restored aircraft currently flying.

Here's a couple of profiles from Osprey's Elite on the 475th FG, and another pic.

Being an "L" model it would have the dive flaps, wing tanks, flat screen etc of the later models.

Cheers

Peter

[Nxthanos]

Very cool selection, love those lightnings.

[hub]

Interesting choice Bruce
If it turns out like the Spitfire it will be worth keeping an eye on this build!
Mike

[Wurger]

[Wayne Little]

Excellent Bruce, I thought about Thomas McGuire's P-38H "Pudgy" but it still sits on the shelf unopened.....look forward to your build.

[rochie]

good choice Bruce

hope these help

[brucejscott]

Thanks Peter. The period photos I have been looking at make sense now. I shall have to edit my entry.

[brucejscott]

Thanks Karl. Well you can pretty well skip all the changes I was planning on making. About the only real changes now are adding the gun camera to the port underwing pylon and a couple of extra antennae.

[rochie]

Thanks Karl. Well you can pretty well skip all the changes I was planning on making. About the only real changes now are adding the gun camera to the port underwing pylon and a couple of extra antennae.

glad to help if you want the full size pics pm me with an e-mail address and i'll send them to you

[Airframes]

Good choice and some good info from Karl there. It's a nice kit Bruce, and goes together well. Far as I remember, the only areas which need some care are the alignment of the tail booms (not too difficult), and the positioning of the turbo intakes on the booms. (That's the circular, 'tear drop' scoops). The locating points for these are a little vague. The nose gear leg also needs checking as you fit it, to achieve the correct 'stance', but nothing major.

[le_steph40]

I'm looking forward and very interested. Different versions and different periods about "putt putt maru".
There is also his P-38L-1 SN44-24843

Aircraft Listing

[Crimea_River]

Nice to see another P-38 build. A pretty good representation of the PTO in this GB so far.

[T Bolt]

Nice one Bruce.