Hobby Boss 1/72 P-38L-5-LO Lightning Kit First Look
By Dave Manter
| Date of Review | March 2013 | Manufacturer | Hobby Boss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | P-38L-5-LO Lightning | Scale | 1/72 |
| Kit Number | 80284 | Primary Media | Styrene |
| Pros | Great details, fast build | Cons | None |
| Skill Level | Beginner | MSRP (USD) | $15.99 |
First Look
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The P-38 Lightning was designed by the legendary engineer Clarence 'Kelly' Johnson. The fighter took its first flight on January 27th, 1939 and joined the fight in 1942. It's one of the most powerful fighters of the Allied Forces during World War II and was the nightmare of the enemy pilots. Many of the Ace pilots owe his glory to the P-38 including the best of the best, Major Richard Bong with 40 kills.
The HobbyBoss Easy Assembly kit of the P-38 consists of over 57 parts on 5 sprues molded in grey styrene. All of the parts feature wonderful details and flash is minimal. The panel lines are fine and recessed, perfect for this scale. Very well printed decals are provided for 2 aircraft. They are:
- P-38L-5-LO, 44-25568, 54 FS/343 FG, 'Itsy Bitsy II', as flown by Maj. George Lavin Jr., 1945
- P-38L-5-LO, 431 FS/475 FG/5 AF, 1945
Construction is very straight forward. The cockpit consists of 7 parts and has plenty of detail. Drop tanks are included as well. Test fitting of the main fuselage and wing components show that fit is very, very good.
If you haven't looked at any of the HobbyBoss Easy Assembly kits, do so! You will be surprised at the detail offered. These kits are great for getting young people into the hobby or if you are looking for a great weekend build!
My sincere thanks to Squadron Mail Order for this review sample!