SPA Modeler

Yeah I have to say I don't know a huge amount about the aircraft, but you can see the lineage to Thunderbolt in those photos, especially around the tail.

speedgraflex wrote: ↑Sun Dec 14, 2025 5:35 pm Are there more photos coming, Carlos?

Yes there will be more… just a bit busy this past weekend to take any

I don’t know enough of P-35/Seversky Racer background to say anything about any changes in the engines. I don’t know if they were like some aircraft, where it was just variants of the same engine, or if it was completely different engine types like in the P-36/Hawk 75 using both the Wright and Pratt and Whitney engines.

And yes, aside from a handful of the few long range types such as B-17s, that were able to make the island hopping withdrawal trip from the Philippines to Australia, the entire aircraft contingent of the Far East Air Force, as well as those of the fledgling Philippines Air Force, was destroyed or captured during the campaign. Some pilots were evacuated, but the majority were captured or killed in action. The same went for the USN aircraft in the campaign.

Bruce, I imagine that after the first day’s combat was over, the US fliers knew that they’d have their hands full taking on the Zeros. The pilots stationed there were a mix of well trained and experienced flyers, and novices. They were doomed from the start, but did the best that they could under the circumstances. Some of those flyers would help stop the Japanese onslaught, turn the tide, then lead the drive back.

John Eaton did a P-35 last year in NMF. Did some rework of the canopy if I recall.

From his site: https://goldeneramodel.com/mymodels/p35/1p35/1p35.html

speedgraflex wrote: ↑Mon Dec 15, 2025 11:38 pm I'm glad you wrote this. After finishing "An Army at Dawn," where my grandfather's Argylle & Sutherland regiment was basically used as target practice I really understood that there is a steep, awful, bloody learning curve involved in warfare. That book really whacked away at some junior high/high school propaganda ideas about Allied forces in battle. I'm going to have to find a good kit of a P-38. But I'm glad you brought this history to life, Carlos. That's one of great benefits of being on Spam and knowing of your curiosity and depth of knowledge. Thanks again.

Thanks Bruce! The Atkinson trilogy books are outstanding reads, getting quite personal in their depth, compared to many other similar type histories. And yes, it is a steep learning curve in combat. Something that the US military has taken to heart for the past 50 years with very intense realistic training centers to reduce that steep curve. They have helped US forces dominate in actual combat for decades now.
I would suggest the Tamiya P-38 if you want one in 1/48, as it is hands down the best kit of the subject currently available in both the late and early versions. But they are rather pricey.

keavdog wrote: ↑Mon Dec 15, 2025 11:40 pm John Eaton did a P-35 last year in NMF. Did some rework of the canopy if I recall.

From his site: https://goldeneramodel.com/mymodels/p35/1p35/1p35.html

I vaguely remember that build of his, John. Thanks for that link.

Ok, so many progress photos today of work since I pulled this one off the shelf of doom last week.
Long story short, one reason this was sidelined is that I was trying to correct the kits razorback section of the rear canopy and screwed it up. The kit part is too rounded in profile at the rear. So I had to get ahold of a vacuform replacement. It’s an improvement, but still misses the correct shape. But I sure could not do any better. So here is the replacement Squadron vac canopy now cut out, masked, and glued in place. I also glued the engine cowling in place



I then airbrushed on some flat black for the wing walk areas and the interior color that I chose and previously used, Humbrol Bronze Green onto the canopy framing. I had to go back and sand some portions of the canopy rear as there was a noticeable step when the paint dried.



And after the sanding, another coat of the Bronze Green



I later glued the last bits into place that would not break off due to handling, the exhaust stub pipes and the tail wheel doors





After those had time to dry, I gave the overall airframe a base coat of Floquil Old Silver





I’m gonna let the Old Silver dry at least a day or two before I airbrush on Olive Drab 41 and Neutral Gray wartime colors. Since these aircraft were not painted properly, photos show them heavily worn and I want to replicate that look…