Finished 1/48 Airfix P-51D. Jersey Jerk

PhilliePhan79

Member since
February 2020

Finished 1/48 Airfix P-51D. Jersey Jerk

Posted by PhilliePhan79 on Saturday, January 16, 2021 5:55 PM

Found the natural metal very hard to photograph. Used Alclad Airframe Aluminum with other shades of aluminum to highlight panels. Learned that the Mustang's horizontal stablilizer is angled left slightly to compensate for torque. I learned this after I corrected the angle thinking it was a molding defect. LOL. THAT WASN'T EASY! Oh well, don't think anyone will notice. Also, this was my first attempt at a base. Got a precut wooden circle at Home Depot. Cut some "Concrete Slabs" from sheets of fine grit sandpaper. Sprayed it various shades of gray, trying to leave a little of tan color of the paper showing. Used Tamiya Black panel wash between the slabs. It tended to run if I went too heavy and much to my delight ended up looking like convincing oil stains.

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UnwaryPaladin

Member since
June 2017

Posted by UnwaryPaladin on Saturday, January 16, 2021 6:10 PM

The fighter and the base look great! How were the decals, do they fit well for that version?

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PhilliePhan79

Member since
February 2020

Posted by PhilliePhan79 on Saturday, January 16, 2021 6:16 PM

Decals went down nicely. The blue diamonds require a gentle touch to get into place. I could see them separating and causing some headaches. The blue stripes on the spinner were a challenge to line up correctly. For OOB this was a great kit. Might get another to build the other markings.

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Possible Pilot Deviation

Member since
January 2021
From: Northern Utah, USA

Posted by Possible Pilot Deviation on Saturday, January 16, 2021 7:30 PM

Wow! That looks fantastic. How did you find the Airfix fit and finish to be? I have one of their 1/48 P-51's in my closet awaiting its turn, and I have never done an Airfix before. Also, I was just pondering today on clever ways to display my finished model airplanes without just setting it on a table. This has given me a lot to think about. The round base looks great.

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knox

Member since
February 2011

Posted by knox on Saturday, January 16, 2021 7:51 PM

Great job on the plane and base. Your natural metal looks awesome. Thanks for sharing.

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PhilliePhan79

Member since
February 2020

Posted by PhilliePhan79 on Saturday, January 16, 2021 7:55 PM

Possible Pilot Deviation
Wow! That looks fantastic. How did you find the Airfix fit and finish to be? I have one of their 1/48 P-51's in my closet awaiting its turn, and I have never done an Airfix before. Also, I was just pondering today on clever ways to display my finished model airplanes without just setting it on a table. This has given me a lot to think about. The round base looks great.

Thanks for the compliment. I thought the kit was really well engineered and very detailed out of the box. I don't have the experience to compare it to the pricier competitors, but it seems like a lot of bang for your buck. Will definitely build more airfix.

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keavdog

Member since
April 2003
From: USA

Posted by keavdog on Saturday, January 16, 2021 8:05 PM

Beautiful! Well done.

Thanks,

John

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tempestjohnny

Member since
November 2003
From: Naples, FL

Posted by tempestjohnny on Sunday, January 17, 2021 6:13 AM

Very nicely done. Glad to hear it was a pleasant build. I've got 5 in the stash plus 2 of the P-51K

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Don Stauffer

Member since
November 2009
From: Twin Cities of Minnesota

Posted by Don Stauffer on Sunday, January 17, 2021 6:40 AM

Looks great! Very nice job. I have both the 1:72 and 1:48 kits in my stash. I am a fan of the more recent Airfix kits.

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

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cbaltrin

Member since
May 2004
From: Land of Lakes

Posted by cbaltrin on Sunday, January 17, 2021 6:54 AM

Nice job on a challenging scheme!

On the Bench: Too Much

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M. Brindos

Member since
January 2015
From: Tumwater, WA.

Posted by M. Brindos on Monday, January 18, 2021 12:28 AM

That's a beautiful 'Stang!

- Mike Brindos "Lost Boy"

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goldhammer

Member since
August 2014
From: Willamette Valley, Oregon

Posted by goldhammer on Monday, January 18, 2021 1:08 AM

PhilliePhan79

Possible Pilot Deviation

Wow! That looks fantastic. How did you find the Airfix fit and finish to be? I have one of their 1/48 P-51's in my closet awaiting its turn, and I have never done an Airfix before. Also, I was just pondering today on clever ways to display my finished model airplanes without just setting it on a table. This has given me a lot to think about. The round base looks great.

Thanks for the compliment. I thought the kit was really well engineered and very detailed out of the box. I don't have the experience to compare it to the pricier competitors, but it seems like a lot of bang for your buck. Will definitely build more airfix.

I'm working on the same kit, only for the other set of decals. Have the fuselage closed up, and the wing done. So far, fit and detail are just fine, very little filler needed.