Completed Academy 1/72 P-51B Mustang

I've thought about picking this kit up every time I go to hobby lobby. With the 40% off coupon it can be had for couple bucks. Looking forward to seeing it come together!

Ooo! it has Aussie markings! I think I'll stop passing on this as well.  :D

Show us how well it goes together, Toshi. :D

rooster513

I've thought about picking this kit up every time I go to hobby lobby. With the 40% off coupon it can be had for couple bucks. Looking forward to seeing it come together!

 

 

Toshi

M. Brindos

Ooo! it has Aussie markings! I think I'll stop passing on this as well.  :D

Show us how well it goes together, Toshi. :D

 

Toshi

I'm not used to building 1/72 kits and it shows.  I needed my visor and a loop to see the parts to put together for the cockpit.  LOL!  I'll need a microscope soon.  LOL!  Seriously, I don't know how you members build 1/72 kits.  My hats off to you all!

Toshi

As I mentioned above, 1/72 is a huge difficult and challenging prospect for me.  This is the best I can get it at this point of the build.

Toshi

My new toy from Michaels.  Regular price?  $11.99.  Today only, 50% off!  Yes!  I definately am very happy with the three different sizes of the c-clamps.  But the most unusual item is the round black plastic magnetic circle that is a stand for the c-clamps.  It's very helpful, like a second hand if you will.

Hi Toshi,

Excellent choice !  In fact, the entire series of 1/72 P-51 kits from Academy are all excellent.  I've built several.  They're very nicely detailed.

Their P-40's are the same (E, M & N versions).  The E's are often sold at Hobby Lobby as well.   I'm not so sure about thier older P-40B kit.  I don't think that's quite as nice as their newer releases. 

Looks like you've got a great start on this 'stang !

Chris

Bossman

Hi Toshi,

Excellent choice !  In fact, the entire series of 1/72 P-51 kits from Academy are all excellent.  I've built several.  They're very nicely detailed.

Their P-40's are the same (E, M & N versions).  The E's are often sold at Hobby Lobby as well.   I'm not so sure about thier older P-40B kit.  I don't think that's quite as nice as their newer releases. 

Looks like you've got a great start on this 'stang !

Chris

 

Toshi

As per the norm, you're off to a good start. I'm looking forward to the next installment of progress pictures! :)

And last night I remembered I have already started the P-40E and it comes with Aussie markings too.  :D

I've already started a repaint.  ;)  I will be getting it back up and going again.

Thanks Toshi, you are an unending source of inspiration.

Hi Toshi,  

The series I was talking about was the Academy series of P-51 kits.

They make an early Allison engined P-51 that came with some extras - A recon camera behind the pilots seat and a jeep.

They also have individual kits for the B (old crow), C (Tuskeegee red tail), & D versions.  I've built all but the D version and I would recommend them all - they share alot of the same parts.

With the P-40 they have the E kit, and another P-40 kit with a longer fuselage for the M & N versions.  All of these kits are newer releases with excellent surface detail and fit.

The Corsair is really nice - that is also a (kindof) newer kit.

The SB2C-4 Helldiver is a GREAT kit.  I'd say probably the best 1/72 kit I've ever built.

The Wildcat and the P40-B are older kits.  I've built the wildcat.  I wouldn't recommend it - go for the new Airfix Wildcat.  I haven't built the airfix kit yet, but it looks incredible in the box and reviews have been really good.  It has a wingfold option and is a great price for a kit of this high quality.

I remember hearing that the Academy P-40B wasn't that great.  It is very old.

Hope that helps.

Chris

M. Brindos

As per the norm, you're off to a good start. I'm looking forward to the next installment of progress pictures! :)

And last night I remembered I have already started the P-40E and it comes with Aussie markings too.  :D

I've already started a repaint.  ;)  I will be getting it back up and going again.

Thanks Toshi, you are an unending source of inspiration.

 

Toshi

Bossman

Hi Toshi,  

The series I was talking about was the Academy series of P-51 kits.

They make an early Allison engined P-51 that came with some extras - A recon camera behind the pilots seat and a jeep.

They also have individual kits for the B (old crow), C (Tuskeegee red tail), & D versions.  I've built all but the D version and I would recommend them all - they share alot of the same parts.

With the P-40 they have the E kit, and another P-40 kit with a longer fuselage for the M & N versions.  All of these kits are newer releases with excellent surface detail and fit.

The Corsair is really nice - that is also a (kindof) newer kit.

The SB2C-4 Helldiver is a GREAT kit.  I'd say probably the best 1/72 kit I've ever built.

The Wildcat and the P40-B are older kits.  I've built the wildcat.  I wouldn't recommend it - go for the new Airfix Wildcat.  I haven't built the airfix kit yet, but it looks incredible in the box and reviews have been really good.  It has a wingfold option and is a great price for a kit of this high quality.

I remember hearing that the Academy P-40B wasn't that great.  It is very old.

Hope that helps.

Chris

 

Toshi

This project got me so excited for, not only a Mustang, but for a NMF project that I was planning on going by Hobby Lobby after work this afternoon. Instead I went to Michael's because I haven't been by there in months.

I picked up the 1/48 Revelogram P-51D instead, with some Testors Aluminum enamel. I got a 50% off cupon for this sunday and I may have to pick up one of the $25 1/48 bombers for half off  ;)

In my entire life I have never built a 1/48 bomber. I think I should break that streak.

Thank you for the inspiration my friend!!  Keep up the good works!

M. Brindos

This project got me so excited for, not only a Mustang, but for a NMF project that I was planning on going by Hobby Lobby after work this afternoon. Instead I went to Michael's because I haven't been by there in months.

I picked up the 1/48 Revelogram P-51D instead, with some Testors Aluminum enamel. I got a 50% off cupon for this sunday and I may have to pick up one of the $25 1/48 bombers for half off  ;)

In my entire life I have never built a 1/48 bomber. I think I should break that streak.

Thank you for the inspiration my friend!!  Keep up the good works!

 

Toshi

Mrs. Toshi:

"LOL!  How cute!  LOL!  How cute!  LOL!  Ahh so cute."  So was Mrs. Toshi's first words of this 1/72 P-51B Mustang build.  She couldn't believe how small it was.  As for me, it definately caught me off guard.  I too didn't comprehend how small the Mustang build was until the wings went on.  

Toshi

Toshi -

It's small indeed, but a real benefit is you can find places to keep them for display, Then you and Mrs. Toshi won't have to live in a tent outside, to allow keeping them inside.

As Bish would say, it's the one true scale for a reason. My favorite also. More challenging, yes, but very satisfying as well. But don't breathe too deeply, you may inhale some of those small parts.

Patrick 

patrick206

Toshi -

It's small indeed, but a real benefit is you can find places to keep them for display, Then you and Mrs. Toshi won't have to live in a tent outside, to allow keeping them inside.

As Bish would say, it's the one true scale for a reason. My favorite also. More challenging, yes, but very satisfying as well. But don't breathe too deeply, you may inhale some of those small parts.

Patrick 

 

My challenge is that I need a visor and a jeweler's loop to see things to make sure it aligns itself.  Boy, getting old sucks!  LOL!  Thanks for the laugh to start my day!!!

Toshi

Toshi

Mrs. Toshi:

"LOL!  How cute!  LOL!  How cute!  LOL!  Ahh so cute."  So was Mrs. Toshi's first words of this 1/72 P-51B Mustang build.  She couldn't believe how small it was.  As for me, it definately caught me off guard.  I too didn't comprehend how small the Mustang build was until the wings went on.  

Toshi

 

 

 

Toshi, are you sure the Mrs wasn't talking about you rather than the model. Just tell her size is not everything and good things come in small packages, as the future Mrs Bish likes to tell me.

I to have not pulled the trigger on one of these. I have a decal sheet of Allied aircraft in German markings which includes a 51B, but i could make up my mind which to get. But from what i have read, this does sound it might be the one to get.

Your doing a great job on this normal proper sized kit . Can't wait to see more.

Bossman

Hi Toshi,

Excellent choice !  In fact, the entire series of 1/72 P-51 kits from Academy are all excellent.  I've built several.  They're very nicely detailed.

Their P-40's are the same (E, M & N versions).  The E's are often sold at Hobby Lobby as well.   I'm not so sure about thier older P-40B kit.  I don't think that's quite as nice as their newer releases. 

Looks like you've got a great start on this 'stang !

Chris

 

Thanks for that post Chris, nice to get some assurance on the kit.

Bish

 

 

Toshi

Mrs. Toshi:

"LOL!  How cute!  LOL!  How cute!  LOL!  Ahh so cute."  So was Mrs. Toshi's first words of this 1/72 P-51B Mustang build.  She couldn't believe how small it was.  As for me, it definately caught me off guard.  I too didn't comprehend how small the Mustang build was until the wings went on.  

Toshi

 

 

 

 

 

 

Toshi, are you sure the Mrs wasn't talking about you rather than the model. Just tell her size is not everything and good things come in small packages, as the future Mrs Bish likes to tell me.

I to have not pulled the trigger on one of these. I have a decal sheet of Allied aircraft in German markings which includes a 51B, but i could make up my mind which to get. But from what i have read, this does sound it might be the one to get.

Your doing a great job on this normal proper sized kit . Can't wait to see more.

 

 

Toshi

This is where I'm at on this overcast Thursday.  Today is supposed to be the last day of the RNC.  I hope so as Mrs. Toshi and I want to go and get some authentic dim sum this Sunday at a Chinese restaurant called Li Wah on the corner of 30th and Payne in East Cleveland.  Yes, they are so authentic that they have roasted ducks, chickens, and piggy hung upside down.  These are so yummy!  That's if the RNC finishes up today as downtown Cleveland is a mad house!

My favorite is the roasted duck, Mrs. Toshi loves the steamed bun stuffed with char siu piggy.  Actually, that is also my favorite.  After our Sunday brunch, I normally take Mrs. Toshi grocery shopping in and around Li Wah.  Unfortunately, the authentic Japanese restaurants and grocery stores are in Columbus, Ohio on Old Henderson Road.  If you like fresh fish, the Japanese market in Columbus called Tensuke Market is the place to go.  That's the only sushi I will eat in Ohio.

As for my Academy 1/72 P-51B Mustang, I decided to go ahead and hand paint the entire kit.  I will later add invasion stripes (For the first time I've ever done that) for the "Old Crow" representation.  I hope you like what you forum members see for now. Thank you for visiting!

Toshi

lawdog114

Very ambitious. 1/72 is just too small for me. You're doing a fine job there.

 

Toshi

I like it, Toshi!

Looking good so far !

Chris

M. Brindos

I like it, Toshi!

 

Toshi

Bossman

Looking good so far !

Chris

 

Toshi

Here is the completed P-51B.  No issues with the build.  I just had a hard time with the decals.  I used Tamiya Extra Thin Cement.  That helped lay down the decals.

Toshi

Okay, yeah, I've got to pick this kit up for the stash later. That's cool looking.

So the stripes are provided as decals? Those decals are thick aren't they? lol. I had some trouble with them on the SPaD too. But the Tamiya Extra Thin helped me out there.

I think you'll want to run a sharp blade through the panel lines of the flaps and get them settled in a little better with decal set.  ....or Tam Ex Thin.

If this were 1/48 I  know you would've painted those stripes on, buddy.

I liek this one, but I don't love it. You rushed this one a little too fast I think.