1943Mike

Another question .. How long does one need to let Alcad dry before masking it .. as in your having masked different panels for different shades of NMF? And..do you use Tamiya masking tape? If not, then what?

Thanks Mike,

I dries pretty quickly, if not immediately.  I spray it then begin masking for the other shades.  Yes, I use Tamiya masking tape for this.      

After returning home from the Steelers and Cheatriots game yesterday I was so pissed I went downstairs and finished this up.  Isn't model building theraputic?  It almost erased the visual of that hosejob the Steelers got from the refs.  Anyways, to recap, here's my attempt at building the new Airfix P-51 and the pros and cons compared to the Tamiya kit. Here's a few things that stuck out: 

Things I liked:

*  The Correct landing gear bay.  Nice to see someone get this area right for a change.             

*  Nice fit of lower radiator area with some creative engineering to boot. I hate the Tamiya kit in this particular area, which always requires alot of sanding and scribing.                   

*  The windscreen and upper fuselage are one piece with no awkward seam where the "glass" meets the "metal".                     

*  The cockpit is great right out of the box. It even comes with decals for various placards.                                                   

*  The machine guns are an insert and very nicely detailed with the correct recessed inboard gun.  They fit pretty darn well too.                                  

*  The canopy is one piece.  It came with a few so now I have extras for later Tamiya kits (Tamiya's two piece example is an abomination...).   

*  Seprate control surfaces.                

*  I liked the prop hub detail (eventhough you wont see it).  I thought they did a nice job on the props themselves too.

Things I didn't like:

* Landing gears and wheel attachment.  The detail seemed weak to me.  Also, this new trend of adding part of the wheel hub to the landing gear is starting to annoy me.  It prevents any chance of after market wheels.  Please STOP!  The aftermarket companies need your help. 

*  The tires themselves are lousy and missing half the tread in the center.  This coincides with my previous gripe as your sort of stuck using them. I bought Eduard replacements but they didn't seem to fit....??  

*  The pilot seat has this weird checkered pattern. I don't think it's correct.  I'll subtitute Ultracast here in the future. 

*  They can drill out the guns but not the exhausts? Not a huge deal but worth noting.  

*  Lacking in detail in certain areas, particularly the flaps. 

*  I don't particularly like the white plastic.  I guess this is an Airfix thing.

That about covers it.  Although it's better than the Tamiya kit in most areas, I personally don't think it has made the Tamiya kit obsolete. I still think Tamiya's version has better overal surface detail (except for the blobs of machine guns and cockpit). 

All this said, I certainly will be building several more of these, especially for the price as these are fairly inexpensive at under 30 bones.  I already ordered another o get Preddy's Cripes-A-Mighty markings.  

Reference the subject: 

It's in the markings of 357th FG ace Don Bochkay He scored 13.5 victories to include two Me 262 jet kills.  The marking were from Eagle Cal. 

Thanks for following...

Had to show the prop...I thought it was nicely done...

Beaurtiful work, Joe. This is a great looking kit and we all appreciate your input on its pros and cons. I will definately think of this one on my next -51.

BK

Thanks for all that comparitive description. Your finished build is as I would expect from you...outstanding in every way.

Another (perhaps dumb) question: You mentioned "The tires themselves are lousy and missing half the tread in the center." Would the tread have worn down that much on aircraft that were taking off and landing more than once a day on average? Or would the tires have been replaced before such obvious wear? Whatever the case, thanks for the tip about the "lousy" tires.

P.S. Sounds like you are still mad about deflategate .

What a beautiful finish.  The NMF is gorgeous.

Your friend, Toshi

That's really helpful. Very nice build. I'm liking the new Airfix kits I've tried so far.

Joe, awesome job and great presentation, both in the build and finished presentation.

regards,

Jack

1943Mike

Thanks for all that comparitive description. Your finished build is as I would expect from you...outstanding in every way.

Another (perhaps dumb) question: You mentioned "The tires themselves are lousy and missing half the tread in the center." Would the tread have worn down that much on aircraft that were taking off and landing more than once a day on average? Or would the tires have been replaced before such obvious wear? Whatever the case, thanks for the tip about the "lousy" tires.

P.S. Sounds like you are still mad about deflategate .

 

Thanks all,

Mike, I don’t think they were on the plane long enough to get that bald. Think about your car tires. They can go years before for becoming bald like that. 

Indeed....and the Tuck Rule, Spygate, and whatever gate we can throw in there.  They are still cheating we just haven’t figured out their new method yet. In any other sport they would’ve had their trophies stripped. I can’t wait till Belicheat and Tom Shady are gone. Sounds like there’s a new gate brewing with Shady and his trainer possibly HGH issues. Popcorn ready....

hey the officiating this season is a JOKE especially in the steeelers pats game, oh super job on the P-51! Joe.

Stunning work as always, Joe ; your weathering and NMF finish are top notch!

Thanks for the Tamiya comparative ; in my mind, Airfix have always been associated to badly detailed beginner models but they really seemed to have upped their game!

Do you plan a take on Hasegawa's old P-51D ? I got my hands on the Detroit Miss box, just to have a change against the two other Tamiyas that are sleeping in the shelf, but I'm curious to have your opinion on the Hasegawa...

Most of the Adulation on your build has already rightly been made.

But what a build you have created. I'm still messing about with my TBF-1 Avenger... the forming of mountains are faster.

Great work, you should be very proud.

Damian

lawdog114

 

 

Gamera

One question though if I may? I'd always read the USAAF puttied, sanded, and then overpainted all the panel lines on the wings except the control surfaces and ammo doors to enhance the streamlining of the wings. It was supposed to give them a good 5-10 extra mph. Is this wrong or was the material never added or removed from his fighter?

 

 

 

Yes they are, but I refuse to fill them in.  I love the detail.  It seems like a crime to fill them in.  It's my understanding the putty wasn't very durable and eventually fell out.    

 

Thanks Joe! I know exactly what you mean. I filled them in on the last Tamiya P-51 I did. I had to sit there and stare at the kit for awhile and think about covering up all the fantastic detail Tamiya-san's engineers put in this masterpiece kit. 

I swear I need a macro for 'Fantastic job Joe, you knocked this one right outta the park' so I don't have to type it out over and over! The more I see of your work the more impressed I am, not only is it top-notch but your ability to keep up such perfection on a regular basis is even more impressive! 

Dang Joe!! You always know how to put on a good show with these builds of yours. Somebody get the beers ready! This dude needs a "Hip-Hip-Hooray" or two.

Great looking Mustang!  I know which kit I'll have to pick up in the near future!

Thanks Shipwreck and Keyda. I appreciate it. Keyda you will not be disappointed. I’m considering building another one soon.

Mustang....long time no see, glad to see you back my friend. Thanks for the kind words.

lawdog114

Mustang....long time no see, glad to see you back my friend. Thanks for the kind words.

mustang1989

 

 

lawdog114

Mustang....long time no see, glad to see you back my friend. Thanks for the kind words.

 

 

Thanks Joe. Had to take a break for a little bit. I'm back around and back at the bench. Still on automotive subjects for a while. I do want to finish that Hase Arado 234 that's still right in front of me on my bench though. Just back tracking my way back to it one build at a time. The break has been good for me in the fact that I had alot of real life priorities to get past and to get things straight in my head and finish all these unfinished plastic projects that I've started over the course of the last couple of years.

 

 

I was in the same boat bud.  After this build I took a break from here myself.  Then I started building a WWI tank (talk about unchartered territory) and I'm working my way back.  I have a couple 109 G-2s and a Spitfire build coming up soon, so I'll share those.  Good to here from you and thanks again for stopping by. 

Next think you know I'll be building cars too....

Thats a beauty!  Very nice.  I may have to try that kit.

As always, she’s a beautiful bird.  I just love the quality of the finish!

Shipwreck

Joe, I was admiring your Bochkay Mustang when I realized that you started this project on 12/1/17, and by 12/19/17 you were posting completed photos of it. How in the world do you produce such fine work in such a short period of time; or, do you sleep? I ask this because my production is snails pace and I often wonder how people do it!

 

Thanks guys. 

Shipwreck, I work nights, so on the night before I go back to work, I stay up all night to get my body acclimated. This can sometimes afford a good 6 or 7 hours of bench time a few times a week. This allows me to get a lot done in short periods of time.  Sone of the techniques I use also helps with the speed too.