Mustang Build

I haven't started my build yet, but I have been following along in my email since I've been busy with work.  Great stuff all around.  That Shelby is superb! Joe, nicely done as usual.  And glad to see you in here O. =]  Thanks for sharing the tip with electrical tape.  Never even occurred to me to try that stuff with this.  That's why I enjoy this forum so much.

I'll be jumping in here just as soon as I can.  =]  Still trying to knock out this Dauntless that had me bite off a bit too much. 

Hey FSM, I'm back with an update...  

I'm always listening to music.  Always.  It's always on in my car.  It's on when I'm building or doing chores.  It's on in my classroom when the kids are doing independent work.  I always have tunes playing.  There are certain times during certain builds when certain songs or lyrics pop into my head.  This Mustang's been one of those builds...

Remember when I said that in typical fashion my builds are usually two steps forward and one step back?  Well, after this latest mix-up it seems like Mike Ness of Social Distortion summed it up best when he sang, "Taking two steps forward and four steps back..."

(sigh) 

Let me fill you in...

So, I'm working on the fiddly bits, specifically the landing gear, when I notice something.  As I'm dryfitting the parts, I notice that the instructions have you install the landing gear with the oleo scissor facing forward.  That didn't seem right to me, so I checked my references and, sure enough, it's wrong.  The oleo scissors should face back.  No problem, I think.  I'll just switch the parts from side to side to get 'em right. Well, that's not gonna work.  The struts and holes are "keyed" to accept them in only one orientation.  The orientation shown in the instructions.  So, I decide that something needs to be done.  

I decide to cut off the mounting pin...

and make my own from stiff wire.

Easy enough.  Now all I have to do is drill a small hole to accept the new wire mounting pin.  Well, I start drilling, thinking the mounting hole is a part of the lower wing half.  I didn't remember that the hole was part of the upper wing half.  So what happens next?  

I drill straight through the wing top.

SON OF A @#$%&...

(deep breath)

OK.  I can fix that.  No biggie.  

I decide to be more careful on the left side when...I DO THE SAME EXACT THING!

C'MON!  REALLY?

That's then Suicidal Tendencies starts playing in my head...

Sometimes I try to do things and it just doesn't work out the way I wanted to.  I get real frustrated and I try hard to do it and I take my time and it doesn't work out the way I wanted to.  It's like I concentrate real hard and it doesn't work out.  Everything I do and everyting I try never turns out...

So I put down my tools and push myself away from my work table.  I get up and have a foamy adult beverage as I try to think my way through the problem.  

Hmm...

OK.  Here's my plan:  Instead of using wire as my new mounting pin, I'm going to use styrene rod.  So, I drill down into the strut and install a styrene rod.

The rod will serve as the new mounting pin and filler for those holes.

After some careful trimming and sanding...

Re-priming...

and re-painting...

BOOYAH!  Success!

(phew!)

Cue The Heavy:  How ya like me now...How ya like me now...

So, now I'm putting the main assembly aside and I'm working on the smaller stuff.  The fuselage is now standing on solid legs.  I've painted and glossed the prop in prep for decals.  I'm going to gloss the main airframe and set it aside to dry to get it ready for decals too.  

Despite all the extra work, the Mustang is coming along.

Sheesh.  Easy Build my rear.  Next time Hobby Boss wants to slap a label like that on one of its products, it should let me build it first.

Anyway, share your thoughts!

Keep up the great work everyone, and glad my masking tip helped!

Cheers!

-O

Nice save O. Using the styrene rod as a filler was genius. I probably would have found that as a mistake.

Clever thinking O.  If only everything could be fixed as easily, right.

I would like to join up with this group build!  I have an Accurate Miniatues A-36 that has been calling me.  Normally I build OOB, but I have a cockpit and some other things I will use to spruce it up.  Looking forward to this project!!

Regards,

Freddie from LI

I'll put you down Freddie, I've been wanting  to do an A-36 out of Burma, but I need to finish the Stangs I have on the bench first.

Steve

Hey Steve!  Been workin hard over here (with many frustrations. Lol) and I'm finally about done my first 'Stang (been workin on three simultaneously). So I thought I'd try hand at posting some pics to bring everyone up to speed on it. So to everyone who doesn't know me, I'm new to modeling. In currently working on my 2nd through 4th models (all for the group build) so I'm really learning as I go. That being said if I get these images to post (in using my phone) please throw all the critique and advice you have at me.  

So this one is a 1993 Mustang SVT Cobra (I love the fox body 'Stang). Originally it was going to be white with gold leaf in the paint sitting on low profile tires probably painted gold. However I ended up buying some drag tires for it and when they got here I decided the paint job which I was just about done with would not look right on a drag setup. So I altered the paint job to suit a drag stance. The wheels on this car or a combination of rear wheels. There are drag slicks on the rear end and the treaded tires on the front were the rear tires from another set of treaded drag tires. Also I tried my hand at fabricating a custom exhaust for it out of the original exhaust and a couple pieces of sprue. So assuming that I can get them to post I hope you like.

Hey Steve, I was wondering if I could add an -A to my entry?  I've been reading through an Osprey book of Mustang Aces in the CBI, and before I could even get to the -Ds I was actually a bit taken by the story behind James England and his crew.  I know we're seeing a lot of early model Mustangs lately, but do you think it acceptable to add "Jackie" to the mix?

You got it. I'm assuming it is the 1/48 Acurate Miniatures? 

You assume correctly sir. =]

And thanks!

bvallot,

Looking forward to your build. I built a model of "Jackie" before I joined the group build (you can see it here: http://www.larryzdaily.net/P-51A/P-51A.html ). I'm really interested in seeing someone else's model of that plane.

Larry

I remember it well.  You did a fantastic job with her.  I was happy to see the attention spent on the antenna mast and hook ups. =]

I've been considering dropping the Verlinden Allison engine here on this one.  I didn't want too much complication and this AM piece seems to be easy enough, but I do want to keep the cowling on.  So if I can't place some magnets into the resin/kit parts like I want to keep them out of the way, then I may for-go it this time around and just build a nice looking -A.

So there it is. My custom 1993 SVT Cobra. Only the 2nd model I've ever built. I still have to mount the intake & I lost 2 small parts but oh well, live & learn. 

So there goes Steve. I have some WIP & interior shots too if u really want to see. Just note one of the 2 parts that I lost is the gear shift for the tranny ( I guess I upgraded to that transmission that shifts by will power lol). So the next 2 will be the '95 SVT Cobra & the custom '66 GT-350H not sure what order though. U can see the' 95 Cobra photo bombing the '93 cobra shots 

Kyuzo,
That's a nice looking Stang. I always have a terrible time masking. I can never seem to get it straight and the paint bleeds under the tape.
Are you finished with that particular build? If so, or when you’re ready, can you place a back drop behind it so your build can be highlighted without distraction from you build table? That way Cody can get the best picture of your hard work on the wall. 

Steve

Not bad Kyuzo. =] I've never fooled with the auto stuff yet, but that looks like about a good a start as any.

Thanks guys. I still have to buff and Polish the varnish. But I can get that *** off it no problem Steve. 

Thanks guys. I still have to buff and Polish the varnish. But I can get that shot of it no problem Steve. 

Steve

Looks great, Steve. Can't wait to see it finished.

Larry

Wow a blue nose .cool ...great work so far Steve. .Pete 

Well I'm at the stage of primeing my trump . Looking at the invasion stripes that the kit supplies. .and I find its crap ...no way I'm putting them on !! .I'm painting them on ..they depicted the strips to far away from the fuselage !!...for my taste ..so after I prim I have to find out the width on a 1/32scale ...kit strips are too wide  I think ..do any of you know the measurement of the invasion strips in(1/32) ??..any help would be appreciated. ..pete 

Pete,

According to my sources, the stripes on the Mustang were to be 18' wide. By my calculations, that would be .5625" in 1/32 scale.

Larry

Ok, folks, too early on a Sunday morning when I replied. That should be 18" wide on the stripes, not 18'. <sigh>

Time for more caffeine.

Larry

LOL, We understood Larry, thanks for the reply mate. I had no idea myself.

Thanks for the reply Larry. I'll put that to use as soon as I convert it into millimeters. Last night I decanted tamiyas primer ..Haveing coffee. .checked the paint ...I'm ready to go !!...thanks again Larry 

Pete 

Hey FSM, I'm back with a small update.  Not a whole lot to share, but there's enough to prove I'm making progress.

Thanks for all the kudos on my progress.  Hey bvallot, it's good to see you too.  I haven't been building or posting much, so it's good to get back to mashing plastic and sharing with my online friends.  Hey Kyuzo, even as a Chevy guy, I have to say your Mustang came out lookin' pretty sharp.  Nice work on the two-tone.  And to everyone else, great work on your Mustangs too.  Keep up the great work!

So, let's take a look at what I've been up to...

I've started with the decaling.  I had some old Revellogram and Testors sets of decals for the 55th FG.  My modeling budget's pretty tight, so I try to make do with what I have.  

I'm really happy with the way the Revellogram nose checkers turned out.  It took a heckuva lot of Solvaset to get 'em to snuggle down, but in the end, I'm happy with the results.

Here are a pair of shots showing the prop and stabilizers dry-fitted for show.  

The ID stripes are painted on, and in these last two photos, you can see where I've started to weather them a bit. 

The squadron codes look cloudy because they are still drying.  Once everything's dry, I'll seal it with some Future before weathering.

This one's getting close to being done and I have to say, I'll be happy once it's off my bench.  Easy Build or not, this one's been a pain in my...um...neck.

Thanks for lookin'!  Again, feel free to share your comments or criticisms.  

Cheers!

-O

O, that is really looking sharp my man!