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P-51A Mah sweet Eva Lee-WIP Part Five-Decals on! 9/21/10

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  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: A secret workshop somewhere in England
P-51A Mah sweet Eva Lee-WIP Part Five-Decals on! 9/21/10
Posted by TANGO 1 on Tuesday, August 24, 2010 1:41 PM

This is another build I have on the go at the moment, Hobbycraft's 1/32 P-51A Mustang. I'm building it as a USAAF 154th Observation Squadron airframe that was named "Mah Sweet Eva Lee" flown by Lt. N.F. Bush based at Hergla, Tunisia during 1943.

I have wanted to build this plane for a long time and Hobbycraft's release of this Mustang gave me just what I needed. Everything you see is OOB or scratch built using bits from the spares box. 

The box art:

"Eva Lee" as she was back in 1943:

Part One: Detailing on a budget!

 

I have started on the exhaust stubs and drilled them out:

I went on to dry fit the fuselage to the ready assembled wing- its a good, tight fit:

Next came the cockpit, I've tried to add some extra detail here and there, the I/P was hand painted.

 

I had a go at detailing the large wireless set:

The "Office" :

I have also opened up the radiator flaps so that I can pose them in the lowered position:

 

Well, that it for now, hope you enjoy the show. 

Regards, Darren. C.A.G. FAA/USNFAW GB
  • Member since
    June 2010
  • From: Austin, TX
Posted by DoogsATX on Tuesday, August 24, 2010 1:53 PM

Beautiful build so far, loving the cockpit detail, but isn't that a P-51A? 

On the Bench: 1/32 Trumpeter P-47 | 1/32 Hasegawa Bf 109G | 1/144 Eduard MiG-21MF x2

On Deck:  1/350 HMS Dreadnought

Blog/Completed Builds: doogsmodels.com

 

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: A secret workshop somewhere in England
Posted by TANGO 1 on Tuesday, August 24, 2010 3:11 PM

You're right! It is an "A" My mistake.

Regards, Darren. C.A.G. FAA/USNFAW GB
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: A secret workshop somewhere in England
Posted by TANGO 1 on Tuesday, August 24, 2010 3:29 PM

Got another job done, the PR Camera for the rear port window..........I have no idea what the real one looked like so I'm just using my imagination and a heavy dose of artistic licence...............Embarrassed

 

Regards, Darren. C.A.G. FAA/USNFAW GB
  • Member since
    March 2010
  • From: New Zealand
Posted by Scorpiomikey on Tuesday, August 24, 2010 4:18 PM

thats propably pretty accurate. This is the only photo i could find of one. i know theres more out there though

Obviously its not gonna look exactly like that since this photo was taken in 1929.

"I am a leaf on the wind, watch how i soar"

Recite the litanies, fire up the Gellar field, a poo storm is coming Hmm 

My signature

Check out my blog here.

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: A secret workshop somewhere in England
Posted by TANGO 1 on Tuesday, August 24, 2010 4:29 PM

Phew! Now that's not going to fit in the back of my Mustang! Good picture though, thanks for posting it.Yes

Regards, Darren. C.A.G. FAA/USNFAW GB
  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Northern KY
Posted by mucker on Tuesday, August 24, 2010 6:37 PM

Darren, my firend, Summer has kept me away from serious time in the Man Cave and this site for a few months. I am so much looking forward to seeing what tremendous model you create with this build. Looking great so far. I'll check back often to see your progress.

 

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: A secret workshop somewhere in England
Posted by TANGO 1 on Tuesday, August 24, 2010 6:50 PM

Thanks! I been away for a while myself, its good to see you here again.Yes

Regards, Darren. C.A.G. FAA/USNFAW GB
  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: South Central Wisconsin
Posted by Daywalker on Wednesday, August 25, 2010 7:41 AM

Darren- I am really enjoying watching your build, as this is the finest detail work I have seen you do.  That office is a miniaturized version of the real thing!  Inspiring work mate.  Well done! Toast

Frank 

 

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: A Spartan in the Wolverine State
Posted by rjkplasticmod on Wednesday, August 25, 2010 8:09 AM

Excellent work as expected from your bench.  Keep us posted.

Regards,  Rick

RICK At My Age, I've Seen It All, Done It All, But I Don't Remember It All...
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: A secret workshop somewhere in England
Posted by TANGO 1 on Wednesday, August 25, 2010 1:17 PM

Daywalker

Darren- I am really enjoying watching your build, as this is the finest detail work I have seen you do.  That office is a miniaturized version of the real thing!  Inspiring work mate.  Well done! Toast

 

Thank you Frank! Toast

I  still have more to do in there as well! Right now, I'm trying to figure out how to do the radial radiator. (that'll teach me to be clever!) Clown

Anyone got any pics of a P-51A Radiator?

Regards, Darren. C.A.G. FAA/USNFAW GB
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: A secret workshop somewhere in England
Posted by TANGO 1 on Wednesday, August 25, 2010 1:18 PM

rjkplasticmod

Excellent work as expected from your bench.  Keep us posted.

Regards,  Rick

YEESSIR! Captain

 

Thanks Rick, I appreciate that.Yes

Regards, Darren. C.A.G. FAA/USNFAW GB
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: A secret workshop somewhere in England
Posted by TANGO 1 on Wednesday, August 25, 2010 8:18 PM

Today I went to work on the radial radiator, I've just used some bits from the spares box here in order to create the illusion of a radiator being there when I pose the radiator flaps in the lowered position.

First, the radiator gets fixed into position and some ducting is added:

A bit of paint later and it starts to look the part.................

 

More plastic butchery next time!!!! PirateToast

 

Regards, Darren. C.A.G. FAA/USNFAW GB
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: A secret workshop somewhere in England
Posted by TANGO 1 on Thursday, August 26, 2010 7:56 AM

OK! I've got the cockpit all sewn up and installed, just waiting for the fuselage to dry. Here is how Eva Lee looks now:

 

 

I'm having a lot of fun with this build, thanks for letting me share it with you. PirateToast

Regards, Darren. C.A.G. FAA/USNFAW GB
  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: South Central Wisconsin
Posted by Daywalker on Thursday, August 26, 2010 7:46 PM

Looking good there Darren!  One question- how much of the radiator will be seen?  I'm curious, as the canted screen looks a bit odd to me. 

Frank 

 

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: A secret workshop somewhere in England
Posted by TANGO 1 on Friday, August 27, 2010 3:55 AM

Thanks Frank.

The canted screen was necessary as I only had a little mesh to play with. Gluing it on a the cranked angle gave me more coverage of the radiator.

Once the radiator scoop and doors are attached, you'll only see a little of the radiator so one will have the illusion of a complete unit being installed. 

Regards, Darren. C.A.G. FAA/USNFAW GB
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: A secret workshop somewhere in England
Posted by TANGO 1 on Monday, September 13, 2010 4:47 AM

Hi folks,

 

here's my latest WIP on the Mustang. I wanted a weathered look as this aircraft spent a long time in North Africa, to that end I gave the entire airframe a good pre-shade with matt rust and mixed my own shade of faded OD green. I sprayed the green on in mist's until I was happy with the finish.

 

Next up will be the landing gear and the ID bands.

 

Later!PirateToast 

 

Regards, Darren. C.A.G. FAA/USNFAW GB
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: A secret workshop somewhere in England
Posted by TANGO 1 on Monday, September 13, 2010 4:57 AM

I had a late night bench session and here is what happened..............

The yellow ID bands got sprayed on and I attached the landing gear. The Struts do not fit well so plenty of super glue and cursing was the order of the day. 

I modified the kits guns as best I could, they still need some more paint, but you will get the idea. I also put together a display base, agin not quite finished, but its OK.

 

Regards, Darren. C.A.G. FAA/USNFAW GB
  • Member since
    March 2009
  • From: Wirral. UK
Posted by Spike190 on Monday, September 13, 2010 6:25 AM

Looking very nice Darren, your cockpit looks superb and I like the pre-shade just peeking through.

Cheers...

Mike  Toast

 

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Northern KY
Posted by mucker on Monday, September 13, 2010 7:44 AM

Looking good, Darren. THis should be another "Front of the Shelf" build.

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: A secret workshop somewhere in England
Posted by TANGO 1 on Monday, September 13, 2010 8:16 AM

Many thanks Chaps! I appreciate your comments very much.

Regards, Darren. C.A.G. FAA/USNFAW GB
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: A secret workshop somewhere in England
Posted by TANGO 1 on Tuesday, September 21, 2010 5:09 AM

Hello there!

 

I have been up to my neck in work so progress has slowed down somewhat. However, my Mustang now proudly bears its markings. I have also begun work on a pilot figure to set the scene.......

 

 

Regards, Darren. C.A.G. FAA/USNFAW GB
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