Completed Tamiya 1:32 P-51D Mustang Special Edition Silver Chrome Plated

This is going to be one interesting kit build. Definitely following.

So, Toshi, when you say you'll run into trouble, do you mean, with Mrs. Toshi and your ever growing collection?  My wife is very supportive of my hobby, but will not hesitate drawing the line whenever my kit displays (she calls them "base militar" --- "military bases") somehow find their way in, oh, say, common house areas. So every now and then I gravitate into Navy/Marine planes and build them with wings folded to save space. lol. 

allan

This is going to be one interesting kit build. Definitely following.

 

So, Toshi, when you say you'll run into trouble, do you mean, with Mrs. Toshi and your ever growing collection?  My wife is very supportive of my hobby, but will not hesitate drawing the line whenever my kit displays (she calls them "base militar" --- "military bases") somehow find their way in, oh, say, common house areas. So every now and then I gravitate into Navy/Marine planes and build them with wings folded to save space. lol. 

 

Toshi

Cross your fingers, there is no going back to this.  Here is the Merlin AB with Vallejo Silver 70.997, I also incorporated Vallejo Airbrush Thinner 71.261, a drop of Dawn Dish Soap, then sealed with Testore Lacquer Gloss Coat 1261 to match the exterior silver plating of the P-51D.

Next up is the cockpit.

Toshi

Now moving on to the next step, I have spruce D of which consists of the majority of the cockpit.  This will also be AB primed of which you see here, AB Silver, and then with Testors Gloss Lacquer coat.  Paints and codes will be repeated unless otherwise stated.  thank you for the time and patience.

Toshi

Here is spruce D ready for assembly.  It has been AB Vallejo silver with a seal of Testors Lacquer Clear.  Next step, assembly of the cockpit.

Toshi

Toshi, now that you have all those cockpit parts primed and painted, are you planning on scraping the glue points at the join location?

Shipwreck

Toshi, now that you have all those cockpit parts primed and painted, are you planning on scraping the glue points at the join location?

 

Toshi

Big scale, big parts sprues. You wont see that many cockpit parts on most 1/72 planes.

Here's what's been done prior to Monday Night Football MNF!  Chicago Bears vs San Diego Chargers.

Toshi

These parts you have shown are beautifully detailed and you're doing a fine job on the construction of them Toshi.  I am watching with great interest becuse I am anxious to see how you deal with the chromed body parts . I previously thought the factory chromed parts was an attractive feature until I read the comments on this thread and realized there could be a problem with hiding the seams and glueing etc.  Good luck with that.

Jay Jay

These parts you have shown are beautifully detailed and you're doing a fine job on the construction of them Toshi.  I am watching with great interest becuse I am anxious to see how you deal with the chromed body parts . I previously thought the factory chromed parts was an attractive feature until I read the comments on this thread and realized there could be a problem with hiding the seams and glueing etc.  Good luck with that.

 

Toshi

Here's a great example of seams, glue, and CA.  No issues nor concerns at this juncture.

Toshi

Building of the cockpit.

PE Gunsight

Completed cockpit and engine bay.

The surface of the parts you painted silver look very rough, like sand paper.  Is this so in person?

No, not at all.  I used primers and then Vallejo silver followed by Testors clear lacquer.  Thanks for inquiring.

Toshi

This is why I rarly take pics of my builds.  The camera never does them justice, lol

I'm sensing a trend here Toshi................

BK

To Subaroomike,

My daughter pointed out with the same concerns you've had.  When she analyzed the situation, she said; "The pigment in the Vallejo is affecting the photo shoot to look like it's rough like you have pointed out".  

She recommended switching over from acrylics to enamels.  So I reshot everything that was AB with Vallejo 70.997 to Model Master Silver Chrome Trim Enamel 273409.  What you see below is a improvement over what was utilized prior. 

Toshi

Here is the enamel with a Testors Clear Gloss Lacquer Spray from a rattle can 1261.

Here is the next procedure.

BrandonK

I'm sensing a trend here Toshi................

BK

 

Toshi

Dang Toshi,  I'm away for a few days and acome back to see that you are 40% into a very complex Mustang build.  And doing it well.  In the same time, I cannot even get a simple 1/72 scale Hurricane painted.

You beat me to it Brandon. lol

Toshi,

Some paints may have pigments that make them appear grainy when taking pictures, exactly as you said. This is especially true for metallic finishes. Since the 90s Ive only used Gunze when spraying on metallics. They have really fine paint pigments.

scottrc

Dang Toshi,  I'm away for a few days and acome back to see that you are 40% into a very complex Mustang build.  And doing it well.  In the same time, I cannot even get a simple 1/72 scale Hurricane painted.

 

Toshi

allan

You beat me to it Brandon. lol

 

Toshi,

Some paints may have pigments that make them appear grainy when taking pictures, exactly as you said. This is especially true for metallic finishes. Since the 90s Ive only used Gunze when spraying on metallics. They have really fine paint pigments.

 

One product that I fine interesting are Flory Washes.  Thank you so much for your time that you've taken out of your busy schedule in teaching me of your experience with Gunze.  You sparked a great interest in me.  Thank you sir and thank you for the read and reply.

Toshi

Here is what's been progressing as of Wednesday.  I have only one seam/gap at an eight of an inch and that's a quarter of an inch long that I have to deal with.  Other than that, I think everything went together very well.  Just like a typical tamiya kit.  Here are the results and build progress.

Toshi

Here's what was assembled after breakfast.

Toshi

These are some shots to show what the silver pigment has brought out in the chrome plated Mustang.

This pic makes it look almost like a Twin Mustang.  LOL!

Bish

Really nice there Toshi. I do like what you have done with the pit and engine. I have the same issue when taking close up pics of 72nd cockpits, the pics make it look like the Himalaya's. Seems like your daughter is onto something there.

 

You know, now you may have to follow this up with a "soild gold" build lol!

M. Brindos

You know, now you may have to follow this up with a "soild gold" build lol!

 

Toshi