Finishing a P-38 thirty years later, as a glider

Tophe · February 08, 2009, 05:42:55 AM

My big time in modellism was 1978-79 before falling into a nervous breakdown, aged 15. The last model I start building then was a 1/32 Lightning (Revell P-38J), named "Glamoureuse Sylvie" (mix of my French love and Chuck Yeager's "Glamorous Glennis"), I did not finish as I wanted to die. I got out of the hospital in 2000, then moved to a new house in 2005, and unpacking, I found parts of this very big model, unachieved. I was now a happy what-ifer, and decided to turn it as a glider to put on the wall with no undercarriage. But that was a lot of work and I made other models before completing it. Now, it has "full priority", after my wooden half-day builds...

Eddie M. · February 08, 2009, 02:23:35 PM

I'm looking forward to your progress. After being gone from here for so long, your project will have us feeling like everything is back to normal around here.

cthulhu77 · February 09, 2009, 05:38:05 AM

Hey, cool idea ! Love the project.

Tophe · February 09, 2009, 09:46:26 AM

I had started her again in 2006 (see http://www.whatifmodelers.com/index.php/topic,11602.0.html )
Then stopped again...
Now on again. I have lost the clear parts, maybe, so the project have changed from GP-38J to GP-38L:

Rafael · February 09, 2009, 02:41:12 PM

That is deliciously crazy, Tophe

I can't wait to see the end results

Rafa

BlackOps · February 09, 2009, 02:58:41 PM

Tophe, this project looks great! I'm glad to see you picking up and old model and giving it new life

This year I've decided to try and finish a bunch of my incomplete builds. Looking forward to seeing more of this one.

bluedonkey99 · February 10, 2009, 12:31:37 PM

Tophe

The p-38 on the right looks a bit like a Burt Rutan style p-38?

I like the look of that one!

bd99

Tophe · February 10, 2009, 07:50:36 PM

Quote from: bluedonkey99 on February 10, 2009, 12:31:37 PM
The p-38 on the right looks a bit like a Burt Rutan style p-38?

I take that (question? note?) as a compliment, thanks!

Glory to Burt Rutan, main twin-boom designer in this sad modern universe...

Brian da Basher · February 11, 2009, 02:05:32 AM

What an imaginative concept - a P-38 glider! This is going to be a delight to see come together!

Brian da Basher

Tophe · February 13, 2009, 08:40:09 AM

The amount of putty to use is huge... I will have to buy more tubes.
Note (before I burry the cockpit alive

) that, 30 years ago, I was painting every cockpit, seat and all...

John Howling Mouse · February 13, 2009, 05:11:17 PM

Quote from: Tophe on February 13, 2009, 08:40:09 AM
The amount of putty to use is huge... I will have to buy more tubes.

Yes, beyond all sense of geographical, political, and philosophical distance----PSR is one of those universal things that bind us. You know, the world could learn a great deal from What If Modelers...

Looking good already, Tophe!

Tophe · February 13, 2009, 11:11:54 PM

Quote from: John Howling Mouse on February 13, 2009, 05:11:17 PM
PSR is one of those universal things that bind us.

Uh? Sorry for my awful English but what is PSR? Putty-Sanding-Repair (or Revolution?

)

Brian da Basher · February 14, 2009, 03:47:39 AM

PSR = Putty, Sand, Repeat. I sometimes like to think of it as doing penance for disfiguring such nice model kits.

Brian da Basher

Captain Canada · February 14, 2009, 09:32:08 AM

Nice work, Tophe ! That's going to be one big glider !

sequoiaranger · February 14, 2009, 09:50:11 AM

It certainly will be unique when it's done!

As a glider, it certainly won't need those drag-producing radiators in the tails (I know--more cutting and PSR), and will have slim-looking appendages like the Saab J-21.