P-38J Yippee

Dave - MRC's reissue of the Airfix P-38 had these decals in 1:72. I think that I still have all of them, if you'd like. E-mail me your address and they're yours. The bad news is that they're MRC decals, so you might want to recoat them with a decal solution. Sometimes old MRC decals have a tendency to slide off the paper while still dry. Can't help you if you're planning on some other scale, though.

Microscale did a 1/48th sheet years ago, and Hasegawa released their 1/48 kit in a "special Mark" boxing about 5 years ago. You may still be able to find that one. ISTR that the Miscrscale sheet was also available in 1/72.

Perhaps Academy could be persuaded to issue their kit with "YIPPE" markings?

I have posted a photo showing the under wing on alt.binaries.pictures.aviation. If you can't get this newsgroup then point your reader at news.sbxmodelshop.co.uk where we supply a free access service to rewc.models.scale, alt.binaries.pictures.aviation and alt.binaries.pictures.scale

Thanks for all the replies. David SBX Model Shop

I found my decal sheet binders in the downstairs closet this morning and, in one of them was the sheet I was talking about in my earlier post; Microscale sheet #48-24. You are correct about the YIPPEE being on the bottom of the wing and the decal instruction sheet so indicates. In addition to YIPPEE, it also has decals for GEN Straetmayer's personal transport (a droop snoot "L"), an OD/NG "J" of the 429th FS, and COLs McDonald's (Putt Putt Maru) and George Lavin's (Itsy Bitsy II) "L"s.

Upon reviewing the sheet instructions it does, indeed, say YIPPEE goes on the bottom of the wings. It also indicates YIPPEE should be painted Vermillion Orange, FS12197. I'm not sure how accurate Microscale's early color references were (or early color film, for that matter) but you can take it for whatever it may be worth. HTH.

My book states 'fire engine red'. Now I know that the UK and the US disagree on lots of things but I didn't think that our fire engines differed very much in colour - grin. I am currently building a Revell Peterbilt Fire Engine and if I do this P-38 I will go with the same red.

Thanks for the help. David SBX Model Shop

FWIW, I used Testors Italian Red in the Model Master spray can range. It looks pretty close.

I also noticed that the decal film was pretty dead since the sheet is so old. The 'Y' decal shattered but I was able to save most of it, and paint the downstroke part that blew up. I recommend that you clear-coat the decals before you use them.

I didn't see it mentioned but I've seen it in 1/72 by Hasegawa as well.

One more post on YIPPEE. I never found where you mentioned which scale you were interested in and several others have noted markings fir YIPPEE in

Sorry my mistake - 1/72 so that I can sit it next to the standard olive drap/grey Academy P-38j that I have finished. A kind soul in the US has already put a set of 1/72 intot the post for me. Now I know why I support this newsgroup! David SBX Model Shop

No problem. I'm glad you were able to find what you're looking for.

Not too long ago I did the all red P-38 Yippee for a client. I used the ancient ABT decal sheet for the markings. Being fragile when new they promised to break up on touching the water, so I gave them a light coating of gloss, let it set for a day, used decal setting solution and it came out fine.

Just an historical note.

Tom

If anyone needs a set printed off in 1/32, contact me off list. Can also shrink them down if required.

wrf

rdec(at)ripnet(dot)com

WRF

"Nooooooo! Stop me before I build again."