TAMIYA USA TAM61120 1/48 Lockheed P-38 F/G Lightning

I purchased this model so I could review the differences between the F/G and J P-38 Lighting Fighter Aircraft. The models are very feature/detail rich but there are many very small parts that are fussy to work with. This model absolutely needs a lot of attention to detail to paint and assemble. Not recommended for kids. It's too complicated.

This build has gotten so many positive reviews on YouTube and online. I have to agree with the reviews I have seen and read about. This model has been engineered so well that there is virtually no sanding of the edges or pin molds or gaps to be filled. Each piece I have assembled so far fits perfectly. The detail is so good that I barely used any PE or 3D decals I bought, thinking there would be room for enhancement. I did, however, use the decals for signage on the radio equipment sitting behind the pilot. This build has gone so smooth!

Great details, an engineering masterpiece, the elements hold together without glue!

This is hands-down the best-designed, best-manufactured airplane kit I've assembled. All parts fit very well, and required minimal, if any, sanding or trimming. The model also comes with three ball bearing weights (and a specific place to include them inside the fuselage) to keep the finished aircraft resting on it's nosewheel, and not tip back. The instructions recommend Tamiya's AS-6 Olive Drab and AS-7 Neutral Gray spray can paints for the fuselage. I prefer the finer control that comes with an airbrush, so I substituted Tamiya XF-62 (olive drab) and AK 2013 (medium sea grey), and I was pleased with the results. For finishing layers I used Mr. Color GX100 Super Clear III (gloss) and Mr. Color GX113 Flat Super Clear, again with good results. The kit includes masking templates for all those canopy panes. These templates have not been die-cut, though, so you will need to cut them yourself with sharp knife.

Finished putting this kit together and I am about to throw some paint. The kit itself is almost perfectly engineered. Many of the parts don’t even require glue. More importantly, this kit did not require any filling of gaps or seams. If you’ve built any vehicular models, then you know how uncommon that is. Cons: The decals are a bit thick and are not up to the quality of the rest of the kit. Also, ease and quality of kit may have erased some of my patience for working on lesser kits. Notes: There are several holes that need to be drilled out of the fuselage. Make sure to do that before the wings are put together. A few reviewers have claimed that this kit is one of the GOAT’s. I’m quite inclined to agree. Lovely kit.

Tamiya is the best if you demand detail.

Yeah, it's Tamiya, so I expected quality, but this kit knocks it out of the park. Fit on all the parts was so good that it almost felt like a snap-together in certain places. Nice recessed panel lines and rivets, two-different build options. I don't really know what else to say about it. I'll post pics when I'm done with the painting and weathering, but I couldn't be happier. As with most Tamiya kits, this sits perfectly between the low-part count easier kits, and the ridiculously complex kits by some other companies. There's plenty of detail here but Tamiya doesn't just make you glue parts together to get a higher part count. There's small parts where needed, and larger parts where it makes sense. Absolute top-notch engineering.

Great, could not ask for more!

Riktigt bra modell. Fina detaljer, bra instruktioner. Ett riktigt toppen kit, passformen är på episka nivåer, använde inte en droppe spackel vid montering.

Che dire il TOP in tutto, montaggio, precisione, pannellature, ecc. Dato il prezzo di acquisto (alto) lo consiglio solo ad esperti appassionati . Amazon perfetta e velocissima .

Ok perfecto

Maquette pas encore montée, mais de ce que j'ai pu lire et voir sur les réseaux sociaux avant d'acheter, ce P38 de chez Tamiya est une référence pour l'importance des détails et l'extrême précision de l'assemblage, qui ne nécessite pas de mastic ! En plus, il y a une figurine de pilote qui est fournie. Rien de mieux sur le marché actuellement et plutôt bon rapport qualité prix.

It's still in the box. But every detail looks crisp. And it's Tamyia so no worries about fitting.