1/48 Tamiya P-51D WIP - Start of my stable

I went to Hobby Lobby on Monday and picked up a bunch of wood bases for $.65 each and stained them.

Passion Wagon on her new home

Cheers

Hey Rob,

 I am really liking this thread over all..!! The office looks top notch and the way you faired over the wing panel lines is a nice touch tgo represent the laminar flow wing.

 You really do not see this on built up Stangs at all.. Then again after awhile after maintenance, the high speed putty is ususally removed but non the less, nice touch.

 What did you use on this again?

Ooo using aluminum foil... That is one route that I really would not want to take but after seeing the in prog pix, I am liking what I am seeing!!

And thank you for choosing the 357thFG, one of the BEST groups in WWII IMHO.. I am torn between Weavers a/c and Roberson's "Passion Wagon"

But you just have to love the attention to the Cheese Cake on Weavers Stang

Thank you for sharing

Flaps up,

Mike

Rangers Lead The Way

My P-51D is complete.  Covered with kitchen foil except for the wings.

Cheers

vetteman42

Mikeym as I recall the WWII P-51's all had fabric covered rudder and, elevator control surfaces. I think, but am not sure that earlier P-51's also had fabric covered ailerons as well. So Lancair does have it right. In post WWII they started using Aluminum covering for those control surfaces or converting them to aluminum.

The elevators, flaps, and ailerons were aluminum.  The rudder was the only fabric surface on the "D"

Cheers

Mikeym_us

You probably shouldn't have added the tail numbers yet as you haven't finished the tail. You left the rudder without a foil covering.

Hi Mike,

     The rudder on the P-51 is fabric covered and painted the same color as the wings.

Cheers

Mikeym as I recall the WWII P-51's all had fabric covered rudder and, elevator control surfaces. I think, but am not sure that earlier P-51's also had fabric covered ailerons as well. So Lancair does have it right. In post WWII they started using Aluminum covering for those control surfaces or converting them to aluminum.

Lancair IV

I started applying the decals today.  Should be able to wrap this up by the weekend.

Cheers

You probably shouldn't have added the tail numbers yet as you haven't finished the tail. You left the rudder without a foil covering.

I started applying the decals today.  Should be able to wrap this up by the weekend.

Cheers

Mikeym_us

Lancair IV:

Dan A:

Rob, I bought some Testors aluminum for my P-51 project, but I was concerned about the flakes. You have provided a great solution! Would you be willing to share your technique?

Needless to say, it looks superb!

 

 

I start by spraying metal leaf adhesive the dull side of the kitchen foil. After it has set up, I cut an over sized piece for each individual panel.  I apply the aluminum to the panel using a tooth pick to burnish it down and stretch it if necessary onto the panels.  It takes a little practice to burnish it down into tight areas without tearing the foil.  After it has been burnished, I trim with a new razor blade then re burnish the edges, followed by cleaning with a Q-tip and alcohol.  The foil can now be toned down with 0000 steel wool.  Changing the direction of the aluminum foil grain also gives each panel a different tone.

 

Hope this helps.

 

I have the Tamiya F-51D and actually am planning on using MM Chrome Silver as I found that actually the P-51D was painted Silver not Aluminum. But the puttied wings do sound like a good idea but didn't they also putty the fuselage too?  And besides the chrome silver is really shiney and I can see my reflection in it.

Hi Mike,

       The wings on all P-51's had a critical airfoil.  To maintain best performance, the seams and rivets were sealed then the wings only were painted silver.  The fuselage was left bare aluminum.  Althogh some P-51's were completly paintd (A, B, C, and some D's)

Cheers

Lancair IV

Dan A:

Rob, I bought some Testors aluminum for my P-51 project, but I was concerned about the flakes. You have provided a great solution! Would you be willing to share your technique?

Needless to say, it looks superb!

 

 

I start by spraying metal leaf adhesive the dull side of the kitchen foil. After it has set up, I cut an over sized piece for each individual panel.  I apply the aluminum to the panel using a tooth pick to burnish it down and stretch it if necessary onto the panels.  It takes a little practice to burnish it down into tight areas without tearing the foil.  After it has been burnished, I trim with a new razor blade then re burnish the edges, followed by cleaning with a Q-tip and alcohol.  The foil can now be toned down with 0000 steel wool.  Changing the direction of the aluminum foil grain also gives each panel a different tone.

 

Hope this helps.

I have the Tamiya F-51D and actually am planning on using MM Chrome Silver as I found that actually the P-51D was painted Silver not Aluminum. But the puttied wings do sound like a good idea but didn't they also putty the fuselage too?  And besides the chrome silver is really shiney and I can see my reflection in it.

Dan A

Rob, I have two more questions: where do I find the metal leaf adhesive, and does the aluminum foil require any special preparation before decals are applied?

I'll definitely be trying this on my P-51.

Hi Dan,

     I purchased the metal leaf adhesive from Michaels craft store.  I would imagine you could find it at any good craft store though.

   I did nothing special to the foil.  Just tore it off the roll, made sure there was no dust on it, then sprayed the adhesive.  The piece I'm using tight now was sprayed 4 days ago and it still really sticky.

Cheers

Rob, I have two more questions: where do I find the metal leaf adhesive, and does the aluminum foil require any special preparation before decals are applied?

I'll definitely be trying this on my P-51.

Dan A

Rob, I bought some Testors aluminum for my P-51 project, but I was concerned about the flakes. You have provided a great solution! Would you be willing to share your technique?

Needless to say, it looks superb!

I start by spraying metal leaf adhesive the dull side of the kitchen foil. After it has set up, I cut an over sized piece for each individual panel.  I apply the aluminum to the panel using a tooth pick to burnish it down and stretch it if necessary onto the panels.  It takes a little practice to burnish it down into tight areas without tearing the foil.  After it has been burnished, I trim with a new razor blade then re burnish the edges, followed by cleaning with a Q-tip and alcohol.  The foil can now be toned down with 0000 steel wool.  Changing the direction of the aluminum foil grain also gives each panel a different tone.

Hope this helps.

Rob, I bought some Testors aluminum for my P-51 project, but I was concerned about the flakes. You have provided a great solution! Would you be willing to share your technique?

Needless to say, it looks superb!

Hey Lancair the 51 is looking good as your builds always do. I am glad you decided to use foil I like it better than the paint.

Well, I didn't like the way the paint came out on the fuselage.  It just didn't look like aluminum, so I decided to foil her using kitchen foil.  So far, so good.

Cheers

Lancair IV

Thanks for the compliments, but I'm sure your's looks as good, probably better.

Rob, I don't believe mine looks as good as yours. I'm still getting used to Model Master acrylics, my brush-painting hand isn't exactly the steadiest, and I'm sure some colors aren't correct. But I thank you for your vote of confidence, and you're very welcome--keep up the fine work!

My build may be seen here. I didn't post it earlier, as I felt it would be shameful self-promotion. It sounds like there might be at least one interested party now, though.

--Dan

Dan A

Very nice build. I'm currently working on a Hasegawa P-51K, which has the D parts included, and is being built as a D. My build looks nowhere near as good as yours, but I'll be watching in the hopes that I'll get some good pointers.

As an aside, are the cockpit sides molded into the fuselage on the Tamiya kit, as they are in that company's F4F kit? Just curious, as the Hasegawa P-51's cockpit sides are separate pieces.

Hi Dan,

Thanks for the compliments, but I'm sure your's looks as good, probably better.  The Tamiya kit has the same options.  D and K.  The K may be my next build.  This has to be one of the best kits I've ever put together.  The sides of the cockpits were molded in, but I removed it and added a true details cockpit.

Cheers

Very nice build. I'm currently working on a Hasegawa P-51K, which has the D parts included, and is being built as a D. My build looks nowhere near as good as yours, but I'll be watching in the hopes that I'll get some good pointers.

As an aside, are the cockpit sides molded into the fuselage on the Tamiya kit, as they are in that company's F4F kit? Just curious, as the Hasegawa P-51's cockpit sides are separate pieces.

B17Pilot

I use that MM Alunimum for my NMF, except for that I use the non buffing version, and I can tell you, it does not like any coats underneath it and should be put on last has tape is not kind to it, i.e. paint and mask any anti-glare panels first.  Just FYI from my own experience

That's usually the last thing I paint.  I ran out a few weeks ago and I'm having a hard time finding it again.

Anyway.  The wing seams are filled.  Not perfect, but the wing of a P-51 wasn't either.  She's ready for color.  I'll start with the wings.  50/50 mix flat white and silver.

Cheers

I use that MM Alunimum for my NMF, except for that I use the non buffing version, and I can tell you, it does not like any coats underneath it and should be put on last has tape is not kind to it, i.e. paint and mask any anti-glare panels first.  Just FYI from my own experience

Wing seams are filled and she's ready for prime.  I was going to foil the fuselage, but I think I'm going to try gloss black paint, followed by Model Master Aluminum buffing paint.  The wings are going to be painted a 50/50 mixture of white and silver.  I hope this works.

Cheers

Rob, She's coming along nicely, the kit just falls together doesn't it.....I'm looking forward to seein it all finished...

Rob,

Lookin good! Yes the Tamiya is a great kit.

I've closed her up, installed the wings, added the PE to the gear wells, and started filling what little seams there are.  This is a great kit.

Cheers

Nuts!  Don't want an expensive resin version.

B17Pilot

I'd be interested in the H model!!  If its plastic that is

 Tis already spoken for....sorry, the guy has another(resin) but wants a TON for it.

I'd be interested in the H model!!  If its plastic that is

Lancair IV

 

362nd FS/ 357th FG

11 kills, 1945

Cheers

 YEAH....BOOBIES!!!! hehe

Anyway, I've got a lead on a couple H models. Do you have one yet???  I'll be going to Warren tomorrow to pick one up for myself (Classic Airframes) He also has a HiPM "H", I've asked if he'd be willing to part with it and how much$$$, haven't heard back just yet.  Interested???