1/48 Monogram P-80

Gallery Article by Steven Corvi

 

1/48 Monogram P-80 with the Cutting Edge cockpit set and Fox 3 wing tip tanks

History  
The Lockheed P-80 was the first real operational jet of the USAF. It did not incorporate the swept wing configuration, but it was the USAF's first jet airframe. The Aircraft had a conventional layout with the then new centrifugal type jet engine—Allison J33. This was to power the prolific trainer version-The T-33.  

It was the only jet aircraft the USAF had in numbers at the outbreak of the Korean war in 1950. It served well in that conflict, but was no match for the newer swept wing fighters—including the nefarious Mig-15. The P-80 was considered obsolete by war’s end in 1953 but the T-33 was to serve for decades as the USAF pilot maker… 

 

Click on images below to see larger images

Kit
The Monogram kit is one of the older offerings and due to its age it needs some ‘special’ attention. The first thing that needs to be dealt with is the raised panel lines. This has to be done carefully so the whole surface can be sanded to a glass like finish to prepare for the Natural Metal finish. The kit goes together well, but some of its features are past due it selling date. The open gun bay, and displayed engine are nice features, but they make building a full flight worthy airframe difficult.--Especially the fuselage front and back. A newly tooled kit would offer these features in a nicer fitting model.

Since it is the only 'game in town' in 1/48 (what a shame-This is one that could use a new tool kit) we have to deal with its shortcomings.  Overall the kit goes together rather well with only a few places that need work.  Since I opted for a maintenance scene, it was slightly easier for my build.  I used SnJ and Testors Metallizers or the bare metal finish.  I also employed the Superscale sheet (48-164) and did the “Spirit of Hobo” scheme.

I employed figures from a plethora of Revell-Monogram kits from the World War II and early jet era.  I have always found a busy scene makes for a more dynamic static model display.   All we need now is some new tool kits perhaps a 1/32 P-80 and T-33.     

Steven Corvi

Click on images below to see larger images

 

      

Photos and text © by Steven Corvi