Thanks for the contribution G-Pete. Our sentiments exactly. I struggle with heat marks and authentic looking exhaust trails (among other things). But these are among some of the most important details to the combat look, IMO. From what I have read, they didn't clean them, they barely had time to maintain them.

On the P-38, do you know, was the area surrounding the turbocharger a different metal, or just painted with something more resistant to heat? Your exhaust looks exceptional. That is airbrushed?

Leading edges look very convincing as well. How was this done?

The uneven wear/chipping around rivets looks good also. Seems as the planes flexed and were subjected to different temps, this was the case.