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

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  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Fresno, CA
Posted by Dan A on Sunday, May 2, 2010 3:02 PM

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.

In progress: Hasegawa P-51D/K (being built as a D), Tamiya Morris Mini Cooper 1275S, Testors Kaman H-43B Huskie (held up by lack of parts)

To be resumed sooner or later: Academy M151A2 with Eduard photo-etch

  • Member since
    June 2005
  • From: Novi, Mi
Posted by Lancair IV on Sunday, May 2, 2010 3:09 PM

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 Byrnes

Novi, Mi

  • Member since
    March 2004
  • From: Kincheloe Michigan
Posted by Mikeym_us on Monday, May 3, 2010 7:15 PM

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.

On the workbench: Dragon 1/350 scale Ticonderoga class USS BunkerHill 1/720 scale Italeri USS Harry S. Truman 1/72 scale Encore Yak-6

The 71st Tactical Fighter Squadron the only Squadron to get an Air to Air kill and an Air to Ground kill in the same week with only a F-15   http://photobucket.com/albums/v332/Mikeym_us/

  • Member since
    June 2005
  • From: Novi, Mi
Posted by Lancair IV on Monday, May 3, 2010 7:48 PM

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

Rob Byrnes

Novi, Mi

  • Member since
    June 2005
  • From: Novi, Mi
Posted by Lancair IV on Thursday, May 6, 2010 5:00 PM

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

Cheers

Rob Byrnes

Novi, Mi

  • Member since
    March 2004
  • From: Kincheloe Michigan
Posted by Mikeym_us on Thursday, May 6, 2010 6:09 PM

Lancair IV

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

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i107/LancairIV/1-48%20Tamiya%20P-51D/100506StartedDecals001.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i107/LancairIV/1-48%20Tamiya%20P-51D/100506StartedDecals003.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i107/LancairIV/1-48%20Tamiya%20P-51D/100506StartedDecals002.jpg

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.

On the workbench: Dragon 1/350 scale Ticonderoga class USS BunkerHill 1/720 scale Italeri USS Harry S. Truman 1/72 scale Encore Yak-6

The 71st Tactical Fighter Squadron the only Squadron to get an Air to Air kill and an Air to Ground kill in the same week with only a F-15   http://photobucket.com/albums/v332/Mikeym_us/

  • Member since
    July 2008
  • From: USA California
Posted by vetteman42 on Thursday, May 6, 2010 7:26 PM

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.

Randy So many to build.......So little time

  • Member since
    June 2005
  • From: Novi, Mi
Posted by Lancair IV on Thursday, May 6, 2010 7:57 PM

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

Rob Byrnes

Novi, Mi

  • Member since
    June 2005
  • From: Novi, Mi
Posted by Lancair IV on Thursday, May 6, 2010 8:04 PM

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

Rob Byrnes

Novi, Mi

  • Member since
    June 2005
  • From: Novi, Mi
Posted by Lancair IV on Sunday, May 9, 2010 12:39 PM

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

Cheers

Rob Byrnes

Novi, Mi

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Niagara Falls NY
Posted by Butz on Sunday, May 9, 2010 2:29 PM

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 StangWink

Thank you for sharing

Flaps up,

Mike

Rangers Lead The Way

  If you would listen to everybody about the inaccuracies, most of the kits on your shelf would not have been built Too Close For Guns, Switching To Finger

  • Member since
    June 2005
  • From: Novi, Mi
Posted by Lancair IV on Thursday, May 13, 2010 8:59 PM

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

Rob Byrnes

Novi, Mi

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