Howard Markel
Zephyrhills, Florida
Modelcraft 1/48 scale F-82 Twin Mustang: “I refer to this model as an F-82R (R for racer),” Howard says. “I thought with all the trimming, filling, and sanding this kit needed, why not eliminate the second cockpit and build a racer?” Howard says he clipped and upswept the wingtips and broadened the wing chord at the roots and across the center wing. He faired over the starboard cockpit (“only need one for the pylons at Reno,” he says), moved the other cockpit aft, recessed the belly radiators up and aft with scratchbuilt NACA air scoops, and enlarged the rudders. Added bulges above the exhaust represent the engine change to the Rolls-Royce Griffons; he also relocated the carb air intakes to the cowling tops, scratchbuilding NACA scoops and streamlining the old inlets. Five-blade Scimitar props spin and are counter-rotating. The cockpit is scratchbuilt except for a drastically modified Revell F-16 seat and joystick “for a more high-tech look,” he says. For the livery, Howard scanned and downloaded images and printed them on Testors decal paper.