**** DONE: 1/48 P-38J Lightning 44-23675 "Les Vin, Les Femmes, et Les Chansons"

[ozhawk40]

Username: Ozhawk40
First name: Peter
Category: Intermediate
Scale: 1:48
Manufacturer: Hasegawa
Model Type: Lockheed P-38J Lightning "44-23675"
Details: 370th Fighter Group 485th Fighter Squadron "Les Vin, Les Femmes, et Les Chansons"
Aircraft Assignment: Major Paul J Sabo
Accessories:True Details Cockpit, True Details Resin Wheels, Master brass gun barrels and Eduard Masks
Decals: Hasegawa

This is my entry into the D-Day/ Invasion Strips Group Build. I picked up this gem recently, but it's a Hasegawa limited edition boxing to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of D-Day and was marked as the "D-Day Invader".

Markings provided in the box are for "Les Vin, Les Femmes, et Les Chansons", which is French for.. Wine, Women and Song. A good combination. Got to admire a pilot that gets all three in his aircraft nose art!

The pilot, Captain and later Major Paul Sabo became the squadron leader of the 485th Fighter Squadron and had already served a tour with another P-38 Squadron.



To assist in research I stuck my neck and credit card out and purchased a Schiffer Book "The 370th Fighter Group in WWII" by Jay Jones. A magnificent book as it turns out, full of interesting stories and detail. I can't wait to get started soon.

Cheers

Peter

[kgambit]

Cool! I was hoping someone would do a P-38. That is such a cool bird.

[DBII]

cool nose art. looking forward to watching your build.

DBII

[Lucky13]

Niiiiiice!

[Bucksnort101]

Love the Forked Tail Devil as well. I bookmarked this a while back for when the time comes to build a P-38. Maybe it will be helpful? Thought it was a pretty good idea myself.

P-38 Boom Alignment

[ccheese]

Should be interesting to watch. One of my favorite planes....

Charles

[Airframes]

Nice one Peter! That's 9th Air Force isn't it?
Good link there Buck. I didn't have any problem with boom alignment, or fit, on the Academy P38 (lovely kit!), but maybe I was just lucky!

[Crimea_River]

Nice choice!

[B-17engineer]

Sweet deal mate.

[imalko]

Good choice Peter. It wouldn't be a proper D-Day Group Build without the Lightning.

[Heinz]

Awesome choice Peter!

[dirkpitt289]

Sweet!

[ozhawk40]

Thanks guys.

Yes the 370th FG was part of the 9th Air Force. Usually assigned to ground targets, they were pulled to provide "around the clock" fighter cover to the invasion fleet.

Thanks for the link Bucksnort, whilst I have the Hasegawa kit, this part of assembly requires some care - and I also have the Academy in the stash (to be RAAF Photo Reece in time )

Cheers

Peter

[Wurger]

[Wayne Little]

me too Wojtek!!