Lockheed P-81A Twin Lightning

[b29r]

Lockheed P-81A

As war in the Pacific ground to a halt in mid-1945, it was decided to escalate the air campaign against Japan. B-32's now joined the B-29's engaged in strategic bombardment, but a better solution to long range escort was needed. The advantages of multi-engine fighters like the P-38 had always been apparent, and Lockheed designers decided to take the Lightning to it's next level.

In addition to the escort role, the Twin Lightning could also perform recce missions, and even undertake level bombing raids. She achieved her greatest success, however, in defending the heavy bomber groups. Surprisingly nimble for her size, her twin armament meant that only a few seconds on target was decisive.















This of course is the old Monogram P-38 X 2 with a little surgery. A tried and true old classic, we all know it's faults, but it's still kind of lovable. Thanks for looking, and
Best regards,
Kem


     

 

[PR19_Kit]

Very good, competition for the Tri-Stang even. 

[AXU]

Impressive bird !  well done !

[TheChronicOne]

 


Yeah buddy!!  That's absolutely brilliant work! 


"In flight" as well.... took me a solid couple minutes before I realized there were no props but it's so well done it doesn't stick out because it look right.    I guess because the spinners are "solid" all over with no gaps where the props would protrude... like... they're SPINNING so you wouldn't see it at all..   Neato!!  I'm impressed. 

[zenrat]

That's amazing.  Good job.

[Old Wombat]

Bombers beware!

Great build!

[NARSES2]

Now that is nice 

[Snowtrooper]

It's even future-proofed as it has the radar pod underneath the starboard cockpit. The extra range would have been very welcome in the newly established ADC against the "Bull scare".

[b29r]

Thanks!  It was a fun and easy build, once the mission was decided on    I appreciate your support. 

Kit . . . . . not sure what a Tri-Stang is, but it sounds pretty cool!

Best regards and good luck with your builds,
Kem

[PR19_Kit]

Kit . . . . . not sure what a Tri-Stang is, but it sounds pretty cool!

The North American YP-82L Tri-Stang, as seen in this thread. The build goes on for EVER, but the finished job's pics start at page 11. 

http://www.whatifmodellers.com/index.php/topic,37049.0.html



You can see the similarity quite clearly.

[Tophe]

Nice Twin-Lightning!
I think this is the third that I see. Years ago I drew this:

with legend: "Jahsan Pair of 38's, Brooks P-38Z & Drone, Petrie P-38T"
PS. My collection of P-38, big, is at http://www.kristofmeunier.fr/#Sit

[b29r]

Kit . . . . I bow to you Sir!  That is the neatest conversion ever!  I will confess that I didn't read every single comment, but I did follow the progress of the build and am totally gobsmacked

I like how you addressed the contraprop application for the center engine, I couldn't figure a neat (and cheap) way to accomplish this.  I just love it  , thank you for mentioning it or I would have completely missed it.  Now where did I put that F-82 kit??

Tophe:  I did miss seeing your cool drawings on this, but I did shamelessly copy Mark Jahsan's fine build from a few  years back.  Thanks for your kind remarks about mine, I appreciate it!

[PR19_Kit]

Kit . . . . I bow to you Sir!  That is the neatest conversion ever!  I will confess that I didn't read every single comment, but I did follow the progress of the build and am totally gobsmacked

I like how you addressed the contraprop application for the center engine, I couldn't figure a neat (and cheap) way to accomplish this.  I just love it  , thank you for mentioning it or I would have completely missed it.  Now where did I put that F-82 kit??

My pleasure, glad you like it. 

The contraprop for the centre fuselage seemed a must to me, as NA had gone to the trouble to minimise torque reaction by handing the P-82's engines. Of course I had the extra props as I needed at least two P-82 kits for the build, and sandwiching them together offered a sensible solution. The prop build went fine, but painting it was a nightmare! 

[Tophe]

Tophe:  I did miss seeing your cool drawings on this, but I did shamelessly copy Mark Jahsan's fine build from a few  years back.  Thanks for your kind remarks about mine, I appreciate it!

Dear B29R, this is not only copy but creation: today you made me dream of further Twin-Lightnings, thanks!