Completed Academy 1/72 P-51B Mustang

lawdog114

Fine looking Crow Toshi. Anderson is one of my favorite pilots.

 

Toshi

Bish

Nice to see this done Toshi. White decals are always a pain and always better painted.

In regards to Airfix, i used to avoid them like the plauge, but i have bought a few of their new ones in the last couple of years and have herad a lot of good things. As mentioned, it can be difficult to know if its a old or new kit, you can't go by the kit number as you can with other brands. You might want to check out the hannants site as it does indicate if the kit is a new one.

And i will definatly pick up one of the 51B's.

 

Toshi

Nice to see this done Toshi. White decals are always a pain and always better painted.

In regards to Airfix, i used to avoid them like the plauge, but i have bought a few of their new ones in the last couple of years and have herad a lot of good things. As mentioned, it can be difficult to know if its a old or new kit, you can't go by the kit number as you can with other brands. You might want to check out the hannants site as it does indicate if the kit is a new one.

And i will definatly pick up one of the 51B's.

lewbud

 

 

Toshi

 

 

lewbud

Toshi,

Nice work on the B!  Never thought of using liquid cement to attach decals, will keep that in mind next time.  I haven't built the Academy A/A-36, but I've heard good things about it.  I'd stay away from their D model, the new Airfix is much nicer for the same price.  Their Wildcat has some problems, but it can be a decent build.  Now that Airfix has come out with their F4F, it's probably a moot point.  I tried building their P-40B, just get the Airfix kit, you'll be a lot happier.  Disclaimer, I have no financial agreement with Airfix, their new stuff is just that good.

 

 

 

 

I've never had made a kit from Airfix before.  I hear nothing but good things about Airfix.  I need to invest in one!

 

Toshi

 

 

 

 

Toshi,

You'll need to be careful with the Airfix kits, unless you know what you're buying is a new tool, their older kits are boxed in the same manner.  However, sometimes their kit (especially in 1/72) is the only game in town.  Their old kits though are generally accurate in shape and dimension, the only real problems are the heavy rivets and lack of cockpit detail.  But then in 1/72, there really isn't much to see in the pit, especially if the canopy is closed.  The best thing about the new tools is the bang for the buck.  For instance, imho, their new 1/72 P-51D is just about as easy to assemble, and fits almost as good as the Tamiya P-51D, and has the option to drop the flaps (without surgery), and you can do a wheels up version without a bunch of problems, at roughly half of what the Tamiya kit costs.  However, I would not use it a the basis for a contest kit because it's not as good a base as the Tamiya.

 

Toshi

7474

Nice job Toshi. The Academy P-47D I built had the checkerboard nose and invasion stripes for decals, but they were too thin. I'll never use decals for stripes again, they will be painted next time. To back up what others have said about the 1/72 Wildcat, I built it last year and the cockpit left me disappointed, I will try to build the Airfix version instead.

 

Toshi

Toshi

 

 

lewbud

Toshi,

Nice work on the B!  Never thought of using liquid cement to attach decals, will keep that in mind next time.  I haven't built the Academy A/A-36, but I've heard good things about it.  I'd stay away from their D model, the new Airfix is much nicer for the same price.  Their Wildcat has some problems, but it can be a decent build.  Now that Airfix has come out with their F4F, it's probably a moot point.  I tried building their P-40B, just get the Airfix kit, you'll be a lot happier.  Disclaimer, I have no financial agreement with Airfix, their new stuff is just that good.

 

 

 

 

I've never had made a kit from Airfix before.  I hear nothing but good things about Airfix.  I need to invest in one!

 

Toshi

 

Toshi,

You'll need to be careful with the Airfix kits, unless you know what you're buying is a new tool, their older kits are boxed in the same manner.  However, sometimes their kit (especially in 1/72) is the only game in town.  Their old kits though are generally accurate in shape and dimension, the only real problems are the heavy rivets and lack of cockpit detail.  But then in 1/72, there really isn't much to see in the pit, especially if the canopy is closed.  The best thing about the new tools is the bang for the buck.  For instance, imho, their new 1/72 P-51D is just about as easy to assemble, and fits almost as good as the Tamiya P-51D, and has the option to drop the flaps (without surgery), and you can do a wheels up version without a bunch of problems, at roughly half of what the Tamiya kit costs.  However, I would not use it a the basis for a contest kit because it's not as good a base as the Tamiya.

Nice job Toshi. The Academy P-47D I built had the checkerboard nose and invasion stripes for decals, but they were too thin. I'll never use decals for stripes again, they will be painted next time. To back up what others have said about the 1/72 Wildcat, I built it last year and the cockpit left me disappointed, I will try to build the Airfix version instead.

lewbud

Toshi,

Nice work on the B!  Never thought of using liquid cement to attach decals, will keep that in mind next time.  I haven't built the Academy A/A-36, but I've heard good things about it.  I'd stay away from their D model, the new Airfix is much nicer for the same price.  Their Wildcat has some problems, but it can be a decent build.  Now that Airfix has come out with their F4F, it's probably a moot point.  I tried building their P-40B, just get the Airfix kit, you'll be a lot happier.  Disclaimer, I have no financial agreement with Airfix, their new stuff is just that good.

 

Toshi

Toshi,

Nice work on the B!  Never thought of using liquid cement to attach decals, will keep that in mind next time.  I haven't built the Academy A/A-36, but I've heard good things about it.  I'd stay away from their D model, the new Airfix is much nicer for the same price.  Their Wildcat has some problems, but it can be a decent build.  Now that Airfix has come out with their F4F, it's probably a moot point.  I tried building their P-40B, just get the Airfix kit, you'll be a lot happier.  Disclaimer, I have no financial agreement with Airfix, their new stuff is just that good.

M. Brindos

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.

 

I'll try the sharp blade technique and take it from my there.  Yah, after my destroyed F-4 and P-51 I was not focused nor cared.  In essence, I gave up and had a negative attitude!  Sorry about that!

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.

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

Bossman

Looking good so far !

Chris

 

Toshi

M. Brindos

I like it, Toshi!

 

Toshi

Looking good so far !

Chris

I like it, Toshi!

lawdog114

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

 

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

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

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.

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.

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 -

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 

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

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

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!

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