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need some P-38 help


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Hi Guys,

I am going to build an Academy droop snoot and pathfinder, and I can't seem to find any pictures of what it looked like inside the modified noses. I would like to scratch build some detail as there is nothing in there at all.

Cheers,

-Doug :thumbsup:

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I think Airwaves make a PE set for the Droopsnoot in 1/48.

I've never come across any photo's of the inside in any of the books or original pictures I have.

I just got these 2 in a trade yesterday but there still not really any help.

scan0002-11.jpg

scan0001-12.jpg

Mike

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Thanks Mike,

Those are nice pictures. I figured I was going to have to wing it on these builds :cheers: Basically, I was just curious how the seating arrangement was in the nose of both variants (i.e. was there actually a seat?). Was there actually a seat, or did the guy in the nose lie on his belly? Also, what kind of radio equipment was in the pathfinder, and how the hell did the guy get in the thing? I can't seem to find a door or anything. Hopefully, by the time I finish with the two, I will have made a couple of things I will add to my Royale Resin line, including some wheels :)

Cheers,

-Doug :)

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This won't answer you're question(s) but here are a couple shots of my 1/48 Academy Pathfinder. For inside the nose I totally used my imagination. I cut and trimmed to fit a Monogram B-17 pilot's seat, used a Monogram P-38M RADAR Operators panel for the radar display and some photo etch leftover from a 1/72 DML Do 335B. You can't see a whole lot (other than the seat) through those windows anyway.

I think Shep Paine called it "creative gizmology." Paint was Floquil Old Silver over Modelmaster FS 17038 Gloss Black. The Anti-Glare panels were MM OD and the Radome was MM Faded OD.

As for the droop snoot, I've been looking for some good interior shots of the nose for years and haven't had any luck at all. If I can't get the Airwaves set, I may resort to using some Mosquito IV nose details.

P38PFLU.jpg

P38PFRNoseDetail.jpg

For entrance into the Droop Snoot, do a search on the Hyperscale forum, someone posted a photo awhile back that showed a hatch on the top of the nose.

Edited by DonSS3
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Here's a couple of photos from page 148 of Roger Freeman's The Mighty Eighth

DroopSnoot2.jpg

"Col. Hough prepares to climb into the cockpit of the Droop Snoot while Col. Don Ostrander enters the nose through the top hatch."

DroopSnoot1.jpg

"Interior of the Droop Snoot nose. Stand for bomb sight forward of bombardier's couch. Instruments and control panel on right side. Note shadow of entrance hatch."

These are digital photos of the photos in the book. I hope they help.

Mike

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Ok, I've found some more info that might help.

I found this discripition in the Warbid Tech on the P-38.

scan0003-9.jpg

I then found these pictures of the Droopsnoot that was modified for electronic surveillance.

If you look under the picture there is a "next" to see a couple of more pictures of this plane.

I would have to guess that the seat set up was the same in the regular Droopsnoot and the Pathfinder.

http://www.littlefriends.co.uk/gallery.php...p;searchString=

Also I would say that a Pathfinder would have a simular setup to the "electronic snooper" but with a radar scope instead of some of the other instruments.

In this picture it looks like the bombardier is leaning forward and looking out the nose. http://p38assn.org/images/p38s/droopsnoot.jpg

I'm going to keep searching for more info and will post what I find.

Mike

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Looked through more of my books, nothing inside but still might be helpfull.

scan0007-10.jpg

SANY1859.jpg

I would be real interested if your going to be making whells for the P-38. The True Detail wheels look like they are going flat. Nobody make aftermarket covered wheel for the P-38, would be very nice to have some of those to go along with the regular wheels.

Mike

Edited by P-38 guy
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