Tamiya's legendary 1/48 Aircraft Series welcomes the J variant of the Lockheed P-38 Lightning! Their first P-38 kit, released in late 2019, came in the form of the F/G variant, and it quickly became the definitive P-38 kit of the modeling world.
The Lockheed P-38 Lightning was an American twin engine fighter aircraft produced by Lockheed; it was the first Lockheed fighter aircraft which was officially adopted into service. The P-38's variants were used during World War II and they reached about 10, 000 production planes. Equipped with intercoolers under engines, the P-38J Lightning yielded 1, 450hp at high altitude and maximum 1, 600hp, plus longer-range courtesy of fuel tanks in its wingtip leading edges in addition to the main fuel tank. As a result, the P-38J offered stable and astonishing performance at any altitude, and gained great renown among American fighter aircraft.
1/48 scale plastic model assembly kit. length: 240mm, width: 330mm.
The unique form (twin-engine, twin-tailplane) with radiator fairing and larger engine cowlings of the P-38J (late P-38) is accurately captured.
Features realistic renderings of air ducts connecting intercoolers to oil coolers.
New-shape turbo superchargers are realistically depicted.
The first canopy with the flat front glass and 2-part third canopy are authentically recreated.
The second canopy can be depicted open or closed. A 1-part slide-molded piece succinctly and realistically depicts closed canopy, and the three parts including vertically openable upper hatch recreates the opened canopy.
New parts are added to depict wingtip leading edges which have detailed refueling ports.
The steering wheel is replaced by a gun-grip type stick.
A detailed cockpit features separate side walls with the throttle box and radio while the Lynn-3 gunsight, radio at the back of cockpit and more are also depicted.
Nose landing gear has updated fork and main landing gear has reinforced upper rotating struts.
The spar part (combined with the nose landing gear bay) is inserted into wing, which ensures an accurate dihedral angle.
Contains parts to recreate two each of 150- and 300-gallon drop tanks.
Weights for nose and right, left engine cowlings are included in the kit to ensure correct balance of the model when displayed.
Comes with three marking options, including the "Marge" P-38J which the US ace pilot, Richard Ira Bong flew.
Comes with canopy masking stickers and a full-color painting guide.