SEARCH FINESCALE.COM

Enter keywords or a search phrase below:

P-51B Ding Hao!, Col. James H Howard.

2569 views
10 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Towson MD
P-51B Ding Hao!, Col. James H Howard.
Posted by gregbale on Sunday, February 24, 2019 5:10 PM

This is a sort of sideways tribute to what I recently figured out was probably the first WW2 fighter kit I ever built: Monogram's original 1967-issue 1/48 P-51B, in the striking markings of MOH winner Col. James H. Howard...the same markings in which the kit would be released and re-released many times, over the years.

I've built probably a dozen of those Monogram kits over those same years...but didn't happen to have one in the stash at the moment...so I went with a similar-level-of-technology kit, Pegasus' 1/48 'E-Z Snap' version.

The Pegasus kit was simple, but a joy to build. (I went with glue rather than the snap-fit...which in this kit's case is actually more like 'slide-fit'...although the original fit overall was good-to-excellent.) Kit is basically stock except for a few 'necessary' add-ons: some spare Lion Roar etch harnesses, a few stretched sprue wires for the SCR radio set, and a simple scratch-built gunsight on the inside. Outside, I added the wing landing light and the pitot which the kit lacked, and some solder brake-lines and the early-style gunsight 'post' visible in photos of Col Howard's a/c.

Markings are from the excellent Mike Grant sheet.

Greg

George Lewis:

"Every time you correct me on my grammar I love you a little fewer."
 
  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Sunday, February 24, 2019 7:59 PM

Man that looks sharp! Obviously those Pegasus kits just need a little fine tuning like you to did here to really shine! Great work!

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: State of Mississippi. State motto: Virtute et armis (By valor and arms)
Posted by mississippivol on Sunday, February 24, 2019 9:12 PM
That is one sweet build. Reminds me of the one my dad still has (that Monogram one in the pic) that he built late 60s-early 70s.
  • Member since
    December 2018
Posted by Tosh on Sunday, February 24, 2019 9:15 PM

What an excellent build!

Your friend Toshi 

Reside in Streetsboro, Ohio

 

  • Member since
    April 2015
Posted by Mopar Madness on Sunday, February 24, 2019 9:34 PM

That’s one smart lookin’ stang!

Chad

God, Family, Models...

At the plate: 1/48 Airfix Bf109 & 1/35 Tamiya Famo

On deck: Who knows!

fox
  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Narvon, Pa.
Posted by fox on Monday, February 25, 2019 8:29 PM

Really nice work Greg. Toast

Jim  Captain

 Main WIP: 

   On the Bench: Artesania Latina  (aka) Artists in the Latrine 1/75 Bluenose II

I keep hitting "escape", but I'm still here.

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Towson MD
Posted by gregbale on Monday, February 25, 2019 9:22 PM

Thank, guys! Yes

I'll admit the 'bubbletop' Mustangs were much sleeker...but somehow the 'greenhouse' versions have always been my favorites.

Greg

George Lewis:

"Every time you correct me on my grammar I love you a little fewer."
 
  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Tuesday, February 26, 2019 8:29 AM

I remember making a Monogram 1:48 of Ding Hao.  Many years ago.  Model long gone, but I remember that as a big advance for Monogram- really nice cockpit detail.

Great nostalgia.

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Towson MD
Posted by gregbale on Tuesday, February 26, 2019 9:03 AM

Don Stauffer

I remember making a Monogram 1:48 of Ding Hao.  Many years ago.  Model long gone, but I remember that as a big advance for Monogram- really nice cockpit detail.

Great nostalgia.

 

The Pegasus kit is like that old Monogram kit in many ways. Inexpensive. Well-engineered. The same low-relief cockpit detail...which paints up very nicely. Not quite as petite as to exterior detail, but panel lines are recessed overall. And there are relatively few concessions to the 'snap fit' engineering. Fit is great overall...including the canopy (though it is a bit on the thick side.)

I figure I'll happily build at least a few more.

Greg

George Lewis:

"Every time you correct me on my grammar I love you a little fewer."
 
  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Tuesday, February 26, 2019 8:26 PM

Beautiful job and thanks for the low down on the kit Greg!

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    September 2005
  • From: Central Nebraska
Posted by freem on Thursday, February 28, 2019 8:37 AM

Cut my model building teeth on the early Monogram kits, but never the B. Ah the memories of tube glue Testors bottle paints and hammering out a kit in two or three days!  This would be a good one to put in this years queue.

Chris Christenson

 

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

SEARCH FORUMS
FREE NEWSLETTER
By signing up you may also receive reader surveys and occasional special offers. We do not sell, rent or trade our email lists. View our Privacy Policy.