Pacific Lightnings 1175

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1 Pacific Lightnings 117 US WWII FIGHTER 1:8 SCALE PLASTIC KIT intro The Lockheed P-8 Lightning was developed to a United States Army Air Corps requirement. It became famous not only for its performance in the skies of WWII, but also for its unusual appearance. The Lightning, designed by the Lockheed team led by Chief Engineer Clarence 'Kelly' Johnson, was a complete departure from conventional airframe design. Powered by two liquid cooled inline V-1710 engines, it was almost twice the size of other US fighters and was armed with four.0 cal. machine guns plus a 20 mm cannon, giving the Lightning not only the firepower to deal with enemy aircraft, but also the capability to inflict heavy damage on ships. The first XP-8 prototype, 7-7, was built under tight secrecy and made its maiden flight on January 27, 199. The USAAF wasn t satisfied with the big new fighter, but gave permission for a transcontinental speed dash on February 11, 199. During this event, test pilot Kelsey crashed at Mitchell Field, NY. Kelsey survived the cash but the airplane was written off. Despite this, Lockheed received a contract for thirteen preproduction YP-8s. The first production version was the P-8D ( airplanes only armed with 7mm cannon), followed by 210 P-8Es which reverted back to the 20 mm cannon. These planes began to arrive in October 191 just before America entered World War II. The next versions were P-8F, P-8G, P-8H and P-8J. The last of these introduced an improved shape of the engine nacelles with redesigned air intakes and cooling system. Also, the curved windscreen was replaced by a flat one. One of the Lightning s weaknesses was a huge vibration during dive attacks caused by transsonic airflow on the wings. Lockheed never solved this problem, but dive brakes were installed under each wing from P-8J-2 production block to maintain control when diving at high-speed. The fastest of the Lightnings was the P-8J with a top speed of 20 mph, and the version produced in the greatest quantity was the P-8L -,7 left the Lockheed factory while 11 left Vultee assembly lines. So-called 'Drop Snoots' were fitted with bombardier type noses, and used to lead formations of bomb-laden P-8s to their targets. The P-8M was a two-seat radar-equipped night fighter, a few of which had become operational before the war ended. As noted above, the P-8 was the biggest singleseat fighter to serve with the USAAF. Its overall length was 11. m; height was.00 m and wingspan was 1.8 m. The -J version weighed in at 6,21 kg empty and 9,980 kg loaded. The P-8 was the only US fighter aircraft produced throughout US involvement in World War Two, from Pearl Harbor to Victory over Japan Day. The P-8 was used in a number of roles, including dive bombing, horizontal bombing, ground-attack, photo reconnaissance missions, and extensively as a long-range escort fighter. The US top aces, Richard Bong (0 victories) and Thomas McGuire (8 victories), flew this aircraft in the Pacific Theater of Operations. P-8s also served in the China-Burma-India Theater and in the South West Pacific area, and was the primary long-range fighter of the USAAF until the arrival of adequate numbers of P-1D Mustangs in 19/. The internal fuel capacity of 10 gallons could be increased to 1,010 gallons with two external drop tanks. This enabled the Lightning to fly a distance of,60 km, allowing it to become one of the most feared fighters in the Pacific War as well as the first fighter ready and able to carry out long range escort missions for four-engined bombers over Europe. F P-8L, flown by the CO of 70th FS, 18th FG, Moret Field, Zamboanga, the Philippines, 19 ÈESKOU VERZI TEXTU A KOMPLETNÍ KAMUFLÁŽNÍ SCHÉMA NALEZNETE NA The first P-8s were obtained by the 18th FG in June, 19 and this fighter wa used by the FG till the end of WW2. In 19 the group was based at various airbases in the Philippines. The Lightnings with a red checker board and fuselage numbers from 100 to 10 belonged to the 70th Fighter Squadron. Three tail bands and the number 100 indicate this aircraft was flown by the squadron CO.

2 ATTENTION UPOZORNÌNÍ ACHTUNG ATTENTION Carefully read instruction sheet before assembling. When you use glue or paint, do not use near open flame and use in well ventilated room. Keep out of reach of small children. Children must not be allowed to suck any part, or pull vinyl bag over the head. Pred zapocetím stavby si peclive prostudujte stavební návod. Pri používání barev a lepidel pracujte v dobre vetrané místnosti. Lepidla ani barvy nepoužívejte v blízkosti otevreného ohne. Model není urcen malým detem, mohlo by dojít k požití drobných dílu. Iire soigneusement la fiche d instructions avant d assembler. Ne pas utiliser de colle ou de peinture a ` proximité d une flamme nue, et aérer la piece de temps en temps. Garder hors de portée des enfants en bas âge. Ne pas laisser les enfants mettre en bouche ou sucer les pièces, ou passer un sachet vinyl sur l a t ete. Von dem Zusammensetzen die Bauanleitung gut durchlesen. Kleber und Farbe nicht nahe von offenem Feuer verwenden und das Fenster von Zeit zu Zeit Belüftung öffnen. Bausatz von kleinen Kindern fernhalten. Verhüten Sie, daß Kinder irgendwelche Bauteile in den Mund nehmen oder Plastiktüten über den Kopf ziehen. INSTRUCTION SIGNS INSTR. SYMBOLY INSTRUKTION SINNBILDEN SYMBOLES OPTIONAL VOLBA FACULTATIF NACH BELIEBEN BEND OHNOUT PLIER SIL VOUS PLAIT BITTE BIEGEN OPEN HOLE VYVRTAT OTVOR FAIRE UN TROU OFFNEN SYMETRICAL ASSEMBLY SYMETRICKÁ MONTÁŽ MONTAGE SYMÉTRIQUE SYMMETRISCHE AUFBAU NOTCH ZÁØEZ L INCISION DER EINSCHNITT REMOVE ODØÍZNOUT RETIRER ENTFERNEN APPLY EDUARD MASK AND PAINT POUŽÍT EDUARD MASK NABARVIT A> PARTS DÍLY TEILE PIECES PLASTIC PARTS B> C> D> E> F> G> Tire> PE - PHOTO ETCHED DETAIL PARTS RP - RESIN PARTS R1 R2 R R 2pcs. R 2pcs. R6 2pcs. R7 pcs. R8 2pcs. R9 2pcs. R10 R11 R R1 R1 R1 2pcs. R16 R17 R18 R19 R20 R21 R22 R2 R2 R2 R26 COLOURS BARVY FARBEN PEINTURE GSi Creos (GUNZE) AQUEOUS Mr.COLOR AQUEOUS Mr.COLOR H C1 NEUTRAL GRAY H C YELLOW INTERIOR GREEN H C BLUE H 77 C17 TIRE BLACK H 11 C FLAT WHITE Mr.METAL COLOR H C MC21 DARK IRON H 1 C FLAT RED H 7 C1 RED BROWN Mr. COLOR SUPER METALLIC 2 H 2 C OLIVE DRAB

3 A B PE10 PE PE21 PE7 PE6 R17 PE PE PE1 C PE10 PE1 PE11 PE11 PE1 PE R18 D B R17 R18 R19 R2 R1 R21 PE2 R2 PE8 H C PE8 PE9 PE9 R22 H C A C H C R20 H C R2 H C R10 R1 H C R1 R1 R11 R PE19 H C R11 PE H C H C PE2 H C PE22 H C R16 PE2 PE1 R PE16 PE1 PE R

4 D8 E F PE0 PE0 PE8 PE9 PE6 PE1 A1 PE7 F29 F2 F F D 2 pcs. 2 pcs. PE2 E22 E2 F R6 R R TIRE LARGE PE PE E1 A2 E16 G I H J PE PE G D, D7 D, D6 PE PE PE2 PE H C H 77 C17 TIRE BLACK F27 F28 F17 F F6 R8 PE F0 F1 C6 C PE8 PE9 H PE6 PE7 B B E F B2 C8 PE B1 C7

5 PE26 PE18 PE27 D D1 D1 A2 I D J C D1 C, C MARKING E ONLY PE2 PE C K E20 M G1 G F1 F10 G PE1 R TIRE SMALL F2 F9 G6 R26 R1 H 77 C17 TIRE BLACK R2 F F F26 PE28 H 2 C OLIVE DRAB G7 L PE0 E18 H 2 C OLIVE DRAB F8 F6 F F7 PE2 N D11 R1 PE1 D10 R 2 pcs. R 2 pcs. PE20 D9 D

6 N D2 M F11 D1 D17 L H 77 C17 TIRE BLACK K N E18 E1 M C1 C9 C10 C2 20g weight C10 R7 MC21 DARK IRON R7 R9 PE29 G1 G7 G G6 G R26 H C PE17 R7 R9 MC21 DARK IRON PE29 G1 MC21 DARK IRON F20 R7 F22 F21 MC21 DARK IRON F2 MC21 DARK IRON F2 E1 E2 E1 E2 E E E E1 E2 6

7 A P-8L-, s/n -286, Capt. Ken Hart, 1st FS, 7th FG, Lingayen, Filipíny, èerven 19 Ken Hart dosáhl všechna svá vítìzství na Lightningu verze L. Tento letoun dostal pøidìlený poté, co 28. bøezna 19 pøipsal poslední dva ze svých osmi sestøelù. Hart zemøel v roce 196 pøi autonehodì. Hartùv letoun nese zbarvení typické pro stroje 1st FS Satan s Angels. Stroje této jednotky nosily èervené doplòky a èísla od 110 do 19. Znak jednotky, stylizovaná hlava pekelného andìla, byl namalován jak na trupových chladièích, tak na špici trupové gondoly. Zatímco nápis PeeWee je z fotografií dobøe znám, jméno na druhé stranì trupové gondoly není z dobových snímkù zcela zøetelné. Naše rekonstrukce nabízí jednu z pravdìpodobných podob jméno Rosita H H H YELLOW H OLIVE DRAB RED H1 H BLACK 7

8 B P-8L-, Capt. Bob DeHaven, 7th FS, 9th FG, Tacloban, øíjen 19 Na tomto letounu létal DeHaven bìhem operací nad Leyte na poèátku øíjna 19. Letoun byl znièen pøi bombardování letištì japonskými letadly. DeHavenùv Lightning nese na ocasních plochách nádhernou kresbu hlavy démona. Jedná se o znak 7th FS Screaming Demons a má pùvod v australském domorodém démonovi smrti jménem Bunyap. DeHaven, eso se ètrnácti sestøely, považoval za své š astné èíslo tøináctku a nesly jej všechny jeho letouny. Je mu pøipisováno sestøelení japonského stíhacího esa Shigeo Nangóa dne 2. ledna H 1 H H H7 1 H1 6 0 H H H H H H H 8 WHITE BLUE YELLOW H H OLIVE DRAB RED H1 H7 RED BROWN 1 H BLACK

9 C P-8L, Lt. M. M. Jarboe, 6th FS, 8th FG, Ie Shima, Okinawa, kvìten 19 Jednou ze souèástí 8th FG byla 6th FS nesoucí název Flying Fiends. Øada jejích letounù se pyšní skvostnými nose-arty. K identifikaci jejích letounù se používaly èerno-bílé doplòky. Na motorových gondolách je namalovaný znak jednotky hlava ïábla. Tento letoun nese individuální oznaèení písmenem I. Na fotografii letounu se jeho tvar zdá být nepravidelný H 6 H 99 H H H H H H 11 H H YELLOW H RED H1 H BLACK WHITE

10 D P-8J-1, s/n , Lt. Richard L. West, th FS, 8th FG, Owi, èervenec 19 Tento stroj dostal West do užívání na zaèátku dubna 19 a dosáhl na nìm dvou sestøelù. Dne 16. èervna sestøelil Zeke a 27. èervence Tony. Pøipsal si tak další dva sestøely k šesti dosaženým za kniplem P-0 Warhawk v roce 19. Pozdìji na P-8 sestøelil ještì dalších osm nepøátel. Westovým osobním markingem byly karty na levé stranì trupové gondoly. Žluté špièky vrtulových kuželù a svislých ocasních ploch identifikovaly stroje th Fighter Squadron. Znak squadrony, skákající pumu, nesla pravá strana gondoly. 9 81a 81b H 2 H1 8 8 H H b H H 81a 9 10 YELLOW H OLIVE DRAB RED H1 H BLACK 86

11 E P-8J-10, s/n , Capt. Jay T. Robbins, velitel 80th FS, 8th FG, Finschhafen, prosinec 19 Jay Robbins má pøiznáno celkem 22 sestøelù, èímž se dostal na ètvrté místo v žebøíèku armádních stíhacích es pùsobících na pacifickém bojišti. Neobvyklé zbarvení vrtulových kuželù mìlo napomoci identifikaci velitelského stroje. Sytì zelené èásti svislých ocasních ploch nesly letouny 80th FS. Postavièka mnicha se opakovala i na dalších Robbinsových P-8 Lightning. Po válce Robbins stoupal po kariérním žebøíèku až do nejvyšších pater velení amerického letectva H H 1 H H 1 H 1 H 1 0 H H H BLUE 9 H 96 1 H YELLOW H H OLIVE DRAB H GREY 1 BLACK 91 11

12 F P-8L, velitel 70th FS, 18th FG, Moret Field, Zamboanga, Filipíny, 19 18th FG dostal první P-8 v èervnu 19 a používala je až do konce války. V roce 19 pùsobila z filipínských letiš. Šachovnice na chladièi znaèila letouny patøící do této Fighter Group. Èervenou šachovnici a trupová èísla od 100 do 10 pak nosily stroje 70th Fighter Squadron. Tøi pruhy okolo zádì a èíslo 100 pak napovídají, že tento letoun používal velitel squadrony H1 107 H1 H7 1 H H H H1 YELLOW H OLIVE DRAB RED H1 H7 RED BROWN 1 H BLACK

13 L L R R N O S T E P N O S T E P N O S T E P N O S T E P Pacific Lightnings STENCIL VARIANTS 29c 29b 29c TOP 29a a? 1b 29b a?1b 6 29a 29a a a 29a EDUARD M.A., Printed in Czech Republic