1/32 Tamiya P-51D Mustang - Petie 2nd - J.C. Meyer (Complete!)

Awesome kit....even more awesome pilot.  Here's my build of this kit should you need a loose reference.  I did Preddy's machine.

http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/2/t/179671.aspx

lawdog114

Awesome kit....even more awesome pilot.  Here's my build of this kit should you need a loose reference.  I did Preddy's machine.

http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/2/t/179671.aspx

 

Thanks Lawdog. I'll definitely be using your post as a guide - great result!  I was too late to catch the floorboard wear showing the wood underneath. Next time!

The office is now complete. This is a fun kit to build. Stunning detail and fit so far. 

I used the kit decal behind the clear dial piece. The clear part is a little thick but it's still a nice result.

I painted the kit PE seat belts desert yellow and weathered them with a Flory wash. I also added some cables for the radio. 

I used Mission Models US interior green for the cockpit. Faded, shaded and washed. 

Time to button up the fuselage. 

sickdude

Simply amazing build sir! The amount of engineering and detail in modern kits is simply astounding! Basically building a miniaturized version of the full size plane. Great stuff! :)

 

Thanks sickdude! I continue to be impressed with the detail and thought that went into this kit. It's a real marvel. 

Main build and painting is complete. There were absolutely no major issues with the main build. The wings and fuselage fit was PERFECT. As a minor issue, I would echo Lawdog's comments that the fit of the cowl panels is a little sketchy. The panels don't quite line up, and some fiddling is needed to get them to look reasonable, particularly on the starboard side. The port side fit was fine. 

After main assembly I masked the canopy by using one of the unused alternate canopies and applying white tack as "weather stripping" inside. 

It was then primed with Mission Models Grey primer and sanded smooth with micromesh pads. I attached and held the removable panels with blue tack. 

A combination of Mission Models metaliics was used for the main painting. Chrome was the main color for the fuselage natural metal finish, control surfaces and selected panels on the underside of the wings. Silver was applied to the wings to represent the aluminum lacquer paint. Duraluminum, Dark Aluminum and White Aluminum were applied to selected panels to reflect the slight variations seen on the actual aircraft. 

The Mission Models metallics were very robust, quick drying and held up very well to masking. They need to be applied in very light wet coats for best results. It's easy to blob on sections that are too thick because the paint is very thin.  However, it's forgiving because the paint is fairly translucent. 

Mission Models also has a gloss black base that's designed to be used with the chrome to provide a very reflective and smooth chrome finish. I purchased some and ran a bunch of tests, but I didn't feel confident in being able to get good results at game time. More practice required before going live. In any event, I didn't think the model needed a mirror finish as seen on some restored aircraft, but a few panels here and there could add some pop.  

A mix of Tamiya X-14 Sky Blue and and XF-8 Flat Blue were used for the blue nose, per the instructions. I added some white and did a little fading on the top cowling for some variation. The nose was masked with Tamiya flexible tape. Gloss coat and decals are next. 

sickdude

I say it on scalemates, and i'll say it again, simply wonderful work sir! Your painting looks very realistic, well done!

 

Thanks sickdude! I'm happy with how the different metal sections came out. Decals and more weathering is the next challenge. 

lawdog114

Outstanding work. I was unaware Mission had a metal line. Is it durable?

 

Thanks LD!

To be honest, Mission Models are the only metals I've used, so I don't have a good basis for comparison. However, they seem to be just as durable as any of the other MM paints. I haven't had any issues with masking or unusual scratching. I apply them over primer just like the other paints. They are fairly translucent so you have to build the metal effect layer by layer and let dry between coats. 

Petie 2nd is now complete. 

After the gloss coat with Tamiya X-22/MCLT, the decals went on mostly without a hitch. After doing some research online, my understanding is that Mr. Mark Setter and Softer are formulated to work with Tamiya decals.  So I decided to try the ones with the kit. It actually worked much better than Microsol and MicroSet on Tamiya decals. They conformed to rivets and panel lines and were very thin when dry. Mr. Mark Softer is pretty hot so I diluted it 50% with water and was able to control it better. 

A black and dark dirt Flory wash was next, followed by some other minor weathering. I used Model Master semi gloss clear lacquer on the fuselage and metal control surfaces and Model Master Flat clear lacquer on the painted wing areas. 

The extra options (landing gear deployed/retracted, ammo and gun bays, engine, movable control surfaces, etc.) took quite a bit of time, but it was interesting swapping configurations around when complete. However, I don't plan to change poses and configurations at all when it's in the display case. 

Overall, I enjoyed the kit and was impressed with the engineering, fit and overall excellence of the experience. There were a number of firsts for me on this kit:

- first 1/32 Tamiya kit - It won't be my last, but I'm not going to build every option in the universe again.

- first metal finish - I think it turned out ok but I've seen some photos on this forum that are amazing. And I really think the 352 FG blue nose scheme is spectacular. 

- first P-51 Mustang model

- first time "wiring" an engine

It's wrap. Enjoy the photos and thanks for following along. 

Excellent workmanship.

Ditto on your photography and presentation.

Everything I can see looks just right. Nothing seems under or over-done. If a thread ever made me want to go out and buy a kit, this one surely does.

Perfection...

Simply outstanding!

As my 1980's self would have said, wicked awesome!

I thought the first 4 completed pics were of the real life plane.

Wow! Tamiya should buy some of those pics for their box photos! I don't think it can be done any better than this.G base and beautiful 51!

WOW and WOW! 

I second every positive thing thats already been said. 

You should be proud of your results as they are second to none.

Ben

Having built that kit myself, I'll just say you did a fantastic job, especially considering all those firsts you mentioned.

Great photographs as well.

Beautiful work, Hoss!  As you can tell by my avatar, I'm a big fan of the blue nosed Mustangs!

Gary

Greg

Excellent workmanship.

Ditto on your photography and presentation.

Everything I can see looks just right. Nothing seems under or over-done. If a thread ever made me want to go out and buy a kit, this one surely does.

 

Thanks Greg! I highly recommend the kit. 

lawdog114

Perfection...

 

Thanks LD! 

jeaton01

Simply outstanding!

 

Thanks jeaton!

Hoss, you did a real good job on that P-51. The 1/32 Tamiya kit sure has some fine detail to work with!

familyman

As my 1980's self would have said, wicked awesome!

I thought the first 4 completed pics were of the real life plane.

 

Thanks familyman!  Much appreciated. I like to take a few photos of each model from an eye level perspective in a realistic setting. 

JacknewbIII

Wow! Tamiya should buy some of those pics for their box photos! I don't think it can be done any better than this.G base and beautiful 51!

 

Thanks Jack! Much appreciated!

DRUMS01

WOW and WOW! 

I second every positive thing thats already been said. 

You should be proud of your results as they are second to none.

Ben

 

Thanks Ben!