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

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 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

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.

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

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

Cheers

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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