posted 01-23- 09:23 AM               

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Greetings,
I remember when I was a kid putting together a model of a P-38. It was black for Night fighting and Raids. Does anyone have any info on this such as squadron or maybe even a skin for it?
any Historical information on it would be great.

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posted 01-23- 10:58 AM               

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There were P-38's with a big chin radom used as night fighters. I've seen pictures but not recently. Try a search for night fighters or possibly P-38's. Somebody else mentioned a two seat, radomed night fighter version as well.

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posted 01-23- 11:00 AM               

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Radar-equipped P-38M. My book says 75 were ordered, but only "several" were actually completed, so I'm guessing they didn't actually see service.

I had that same model kit. In fact, you can still buy it I think

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--jedi--

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posted 01-23- 02:27 PM               

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75 P-38Ls were converted to P-38M-6-LO. there was also 1 that was the original conversion. My one book says this began in Feb 1945. I dont think they were all painted black at first.

Two P-38F's had radar added to them at guadalcanal and new guinea in Febuary 1943. the radar antennas were the old 4 prong type that look like tv antennas. it had 3 positions for the antennas. 1 on the nose and 1 on each side of the nose.

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posted 01-23- 03:39 PM               

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The picture I have of the P38M shows the radar in a pod under the nose. It also had a second seat behind the pilot in an extended canopy. Weapon load was as per P38 L.

My book says they got used in the tail end of the war in the Pacific, but it doesn't add much by way of detail. I would have thought they were better off with the Black Widow!

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posted 01-23- 06:39 PM               

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ACtually the radar equipped 38 was an interim solution until the P-61 could be brought up to the units. They were all 2 seat except the first few field conversions. The radar pod was on the production version. They also added flash hiders to the guns to avoid blinding the pilots.
The kit is the Monogram kit in 1/48th scale. ;} As a kid I built that kit 3 seperate times.... My models got periodically destroyed... Heheh

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Mirthain=FC=

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posted 01-23- 07:15 PM               

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You're a heck of a threat to model aircraft....

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Snickers
=FC=

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posted 01-23- 07:36 PM               

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Yeah mine had the same umm ends... The Kid in me kinda wanted to see it fly and not just in my mind.
I have a black skin for a P-38j I will see what modifcations I can learn to make for it. The Name Black widow sounds right to me though...

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posted 01-23- 08:05 PM            

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If your in to a road trip, there is one at the Champlin Fighter Museum, Mesa, Arizona. USAAF ordered 75 M models but the war was winding down. Only 4 made it the Philippines before the war ended. The Northrop P-61 Black Widow overshadowed the night fighter scene. If you are really interested I could scan the photo of one and e-mail it to you. All M's were converted from L's.
weasel

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posted 01-23- 10:35 PM               

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Weasel, I would love the scan of it and looks like I will be looking for a p-61. but yes a scan would be great so I can try and get OP to work for me. no better way to learn something I guess other then jumping in on it.

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posted 01-23- 11:44 PM            

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I remember one of my favorite models as a kid was the P61 Black Widow, It had a really cool top turret.

I recently saw the same model in a hobby shop, mine is long gone.

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Spin

Visit Spin's Planepack Site to learn more about planepack V6.0 and ongoing development of the planepack

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posted 01-29- 01:08 PM               

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Weasel, Guess you need my E-mail for the P-61. hrimfaxi@home.com
ok now to dig up a P-38L.
Best way to learn AC3D and open plane is to Dive right in it.

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posted 01-30- 09:41 AM               

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P-38L has already been made. I took one that snickers made and added my new 3D model tweaks and made it and the P-38F.

I have very nice 3 views of the P-61 if anyone wants to make one for FS.

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Tony "Razer" Martin

"Making SDOE a dangerous Place, One plane at a time!"
FS Hangar

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