P-38G Night Fighter - 15th FG, 6th NFS, Detachment A

[Vraciu]

Thanks to all the usual suspects (Lyric, Greebo, Devil5O5, Oboe, etc.) for their assistance on this one.   A huge hat tip to Greebo for his work on the defaults for all three P-38 models.   I couldn't have had a better example to follow.


P-38G-1-LO s/n Unknown
15th Fighter Group, 6th Night Fighter Squadron
Detachment A
New Guinea
Late 1943-Early 1944


This is a P-38G-1-LO (s/n unknown) of the 15th Fighter Group, 6th Night Fighter Squadron (Detachment A), late 1943-early 1944.   Due to the inferior performance of the P-70 (a night fighter version of the A-20 Havoc), the 6th NFS operated a detachment of two specially modified, radar-equipped P-38Gs out of New Guinea.   Their primary objective was to intercept Japanese G4M Betty bomber night intruders.   The mechanics involved in the conversion received the Legion of Merit for their efforts.

P-38G-1-LO s/n 42-12705 was one of these conversions.   It was lost on 4 March 1944, after transfer to the 418th NFS of 5th Bomber Command.   The pilot, 2LT Edward Craig was caught in a storm and disappeared.   His wingman, 2LT Robert Forrestal force-landed on Cape Gloucester after he ran out of fuel    Forrestal was later killed flying a P-70.   

[Vraciu]

I forgot to have the pilot mesh enabled.  *FACEPALM*   I inserted this one with the pilot mesh enabled at the top.

[Devil 505]

Very nice.

[lyric1]

 

[Volron]

I honestly didn't notice the pilot was missing until you pointed it out.  Truth be told, I'd be fine if the pilot was missing, not to knock the work that went into them.

If only you could dress the pilot in black as well. 


I'm honestly a little surprised to how "shiney" she is though.  I would've thought she would have had a little more matte to her?


Either way, nicely done. 

[Vraciu]

Thanks,  all.

Ha ha.   Funny.   Yeah, if he isn't dressed in black then he will stand out like a firefly!

The shine I wrestled with all day.   It is going to have some,  the question being how much.   I tried flat then disled it back in stages.  I finally just stopped there so I could get it submitted.   I can update the maps later if need be.    Easy fix.   

[Vraciu]

The M had some shine...






https://pin.it/18zt0G0

[Vraciu]

I might reduce the sharpness of the reflection but it will still have some.   

[Volron]

Was curious about it.  I mean it's not super shiney or anything, but it has a bit of a sheen.  Sheen was the word I was looking for earlier.  Stupid brain didn't (still doesn't) want to process...

[Vraciu]

Understood.  No sweat.  Maybe I need to dial it back. 

[lyric1]

I think you captured the appearance of the first photo. Slightly faded by the tropical sun. I wouldn’t change it. 

[Greebo]

Very nice Vraciu, great looking skin. I think the shine on the black looks just right for an early war satin/matt black. The really glossy ANA 622 Jet Black used on the P-38M was introduced late in 1944 IIRC, so would not have been available for this aircraft.

The British, Germans and the US all started the war with overall black as their night fighter scheme but they all later ditched this as testing found lighter shades were less visible against clouds etc. The USAAF switched from matt black to OD/NG and only late in the war went with gloss black.

[oboe]

Great-looking skin.  The exhaust grime stands very well against the black paint; nicely done!

I agree with Greebo on the shine - seems right to me.

[Vraciu]

Much appreciated guys.  Thank you kindly.

[Lazerr]

Ohh that's nice.