SEARCH FINESCALE.COM

Enter keywords or a search phrase below:

First two for the year done

1216 views
7 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    June 2008
First two for the year done
Posted by lewbud on Thursday, April 18, 2019 11:35 PM

Several years ago I got the bright idea in my head to build one of each country that flew the P-51. This was brought on by two things. The first was a range of new decals from Berna and a few other decal manufacturers. The second was that US paint schemes are extremely boring, and I had four od over gray USAAF Stangs in my collection already. It was originally going to be a build for the US IPMS Nationals, I realized the possibility of me turning out 20-30 contest quality models within a year or two was just not going to happen. The first international Mustang I built was for the IDF and I found the scheme quite pleasing. The second and third international Mustangs are pictured below. The first is from Canada. The decals are by Leading Edge and this plane is from 443 New Westminster Sqn. For now, this has replaced the IDF Mustang as the prettiest in my collection. The Leading Edge set also includes silver roundels (and letters for the planes that need them) as decals so you don't have to mask them. The pinstripes were a pain, but worth it. Fortunately, a spare set was provided. The decal set also includes a set of black resin antenna for each of the aircraft on the decal sheet.

Here is the third member of the international Mustang collection. This one is aircraft 0106 of the Guatemalan Airforce, stationed at La Aurora Air Base in July of 1954. Decals are by Aztec Models.  While I love Aztec Models because of their markings choices, I'm having problems liking their decals at the moment. A couple of weeks ago, I looked up at the shelf this model was on, and the 0106 on the left side of the fuselage had come unglued and partially rolled back. This is the second time I have had this problem with this set of decals. The first was on a P-26 and as I went to move the aircraft, one of the fuselage decals just came off (it was at least a year after I applied them). To prevent that from happening again, I clearcoated the decals and one of them still pulled away. I've used decals from Aztec before without this happening, so it's probably this particular set. I used Micro Sol/Set as instructed. I'll put some thinned white glue down and see if this fixes the problem.

Both kits were built as part of the Weekend GB and went into extra innings. The kits are Tamiya's 1/72 P-51D, with the prop for the Canadian bird stolen from the F-51D kit (same kit as the P-51D, bu with the uncuffed prop and a few Korean War era bits and bobs).

Buddy- Those who say there are no stupid questions have never worked in customer service.

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: USA
Posted by keavdog on Friday, April 19, 2019 12:28 AM

Cant get enough mustangs.   Really like the Canadian markings.  So 27 to go? Stick out tongue

Thanks,

John

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Western North Carolina
Posted by Tojo72 on Friday, April 19, 2019 3:23 AM

Very nice work,especially the bare metal finish.

Did you know that El Salvador also operated P-51's In 1969 one was shot down by a Honduran Corsair.I remember FSM had that P-51 in an old article

  • Member since
    June 2008
Posted by lewbud on Friday, April 19, 2019 5:55 AM

Thanks Keavdog.  29 users according to the pedia of wiki so 25 to go. There are some that I haven't found decals for yet or were never made (Italy for example) and I'll have to cobble them together. Actually, you can get enough Mustangs. I have no idea where I'll put them once they're done.

Buddy- Those who say there are no stupid questions have never worked in customer service.

  • Member since
    June 2008
Posted by lewbud on Friday, April 19, 2019 8:12 AM

Thanks Tojo.  I do know about the Soccer War. The decal set I have is by DP Casper under their Forgotten Operations series. It includes the markings for Capt. Soto's Corsair (he shot down the Mustang and possibly two Corsairs). It's possible that Capt. Soto's victim is also on the sheet, but the instructions don't make that distinction. Thanks for the heads up on the article. I'll have to dig through the back issues to see if I can find it.

Buddy- Those who say there are no stupid questions have never worked in customer service.

fox
  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Narvon, Pa.
Posted by fox on Friday, April 19, 2019 1:57 PM

Congrats!!! Very nice builds.

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
    June 2008
Posted by lewbud on Friday, April 19, 2019 2:15 PM

Thanks Jim. 

Tojo, 

The Canadian bird isn't bare metal, but painted aluminum. I used Tamiya's rattle can Gloss Aluminum over their matte black to simulate that.

Buddy- Those who say there are no stupid questions have never worked in customer service.

  • Member since
    April 2015
Posted by Mopar Madness on Saturday, April 20, 2019 12:38 PM

You’re going to have quite the collection Buddy. If I’m lucky, maybe you’ll bring a couple of these in to the club meeting! 

Chad

God, Family, Models...

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

On deck: Who knows!

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.