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1/32 Tamiya P-51D Mustang - Petie 2nd - J.C. Meyer (Complete!)

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  • Member since
    July 2019
1/32 Tamiya P-51D Mustang - Petie 2nd - J.C. Meyer (Complete!)
Posted by Hoss WA on Wednesday, February 12, 2020 8:09 PM

Last year, when I was researching Operation Bodenplatte during my build of the Eduard dual combo kit of the same name, I learned about the US blue nosed Mustangs of the 487th Fighter Squadron, 352nd Fighter Group. Lt. Col. John C. Meyer had his boys ready for a fight when the Luftwaffe attacked his airfield. I love the story about how Meyer engaged and shot down an FW 190 as he was retracting his landing gear! The moment I read this story, a Mustang from the Blue Nosed Bastards of Bodney was added to my to do list. 

And the Tamiya 1/32 P-51D Mustang kit answers the bell perfectly. This kit has received much airtime on this forum, but wow! What a nice kit.

It includes a marking option for John C. Meyer's Petie 2nd. I love this scheme and am really looking forward to it. 

I have a few decisions to make on this one:

1) Partial invasion stripes or not? I'll make a game time decision on this one. Classic, clean silver and blue, or more eye candy? 

2) How to apply the natural metal finish?  This will be my first attempt for a full plane. My current thinking is to use Mission Models metallics. I've had good luck with them on the underside of late war Luftwaffe fighters and think they'll do the trick. However, I've read posts with much angst, fear and caution on the forums and am interested in any tips or advice from the group. 

3) What's the appropriate final coat for this type of finish? Flat, Semi gloss? Any thoughts appreciated here as well. I usually dull down my X22/MCLT with a coat or two of Alclad Flat or Matte or Model Master Flat Clear Lacquer. 

Here's the engine. This is my first crack at adding the main wiring for some added pop. The office is next. Thanks. 

Tags: 352 FG , Meyer , Mustang , Petie , Tamiya
  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: Naples, FL
Posted by tempestjohnny on Thursday, February 13, 2020 8:55 AM
Engine looks great. My personal opinion on sheen would be Satin. They were war machines but I do know the CC's took care of them the best they could. And Col Meyer being the CO would get the best crew

 

  • Member since
    February 2012
  • From: Olmsted Township, Ohio
Posted by lawdog114 on Friday, February 14, 2020 12:55 AM

Awesome kit....even more awesome pilot.  Here's my build of this kit should you need a loose reference.  I did Preddy's machine.

http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/2/t/179671.aspx

 "Can you fly this plane and land it?...Surely you can't be serious....I am serious, and don't call me Shirley"

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    July 2019
Posted by Hoss WA on Monday, February 17, 2020 5:39 PM

lawdog114

Awesome kit....even more awesome pilot.  Here's my build of this kit should you need a loose reference.  I did Preddy's machine.

http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/2/t/179671.aspx

 

Thanks Lawdog. I'll definitely be using your post as a guide - great result!  I was too late to catch the floorboard wear showing the wood underneath. Next time!

  • Member since
    July 2019
Posted by Hoss WA on Monday, February 17, 2020 5:49 PM

The office is now complete. This is a fun kit to build. Stunning detail and fit so far. 

I used the kit decal behind the clear dial piece. The clear part is a little thick but it's still a nice result.

I painted the kit PE seat belts desert yellow and weathered them with a Flory wash. I also added some cables for the radio. 

I used Mission Models US interior green for the cockpit. Faded, shaded and washed. 

Time to button up the fuselage. 

  • Member since
    November 2018
  • From: Saskatchewan, Canada
Posted by sickdude on Monday, February 17, 2020 9:15 PM
Simply amazing build sir! The amount of engineering and detail in modern kits is simply astounding! Basically building a miniaturized version of the full size plane. Great stuff! :)

William (Willy)

 
  • Member since
    July 2019
Posted by Hoss WA on Tuesday, February 18, 2020 9:10 PM

sickdude
Simply amazing build sir! The amount of engineering and detail in modern kits is simply astounding! Basically building a miniaturized version of the full size plane. Great stuff! :)
 

Thanks sickdude! I continue to be impressed with the detail and thought that went into this kit. It's a real marvel. 

  • Member since
    July 2019
Posted by Hoss WA on Sunday, March 1, 2020 6:59 PM

Main build and painting is complete. There were absolutely no major issues with the main build. The wings and fuselage fit was PERFECT. As a minor issue, I would echo Lawdog's comments that the fit of the cowl panels is a little sketchy. The panels don't quite line up, and some fiddling is needed to get them to look reasonable, particularly on the starboard side. The port side fit was fine. 

After main assembly I masked the canopy by using one of the unused alternate canopies and applying white tack as "weather stripping" inside. 

It was then primed with Mission Models Grey primer and sanded smooth with micromesh pads. I attached and held the removable panels with blue tack. 

A combination of Mission Models metaliics was used for the main painting. Chrome was the main color for the fuselage natural metal finish, control surfaces and selected panels on the underside of the wings. Silver was applied to the wings to represent the aluminum lacquer paint. Duraluminum, Dark Aluminum and White Aluminum were applied to selected panels to reflect the slight variations seen on the actual aircraft. 

The Mission Models metallics were very robust, quick drying and held up very well to masking. They need to be applied in very light wet coats for best results. It's easy to blob on sections that are too thick because the paint is very thin.  However, it's forgiving because the paint is fairly translucent. 

Mission Models also has a gloss black base that's designed to be used with the chrome to provide a very reflective and smooth chrome finish. I purchased some and ran a bunch of tests, but I didn't feel confident in being able to get good results at game time. More practice required before going live. In any event, I didn't think the model needed a mirror finish as seen on some restored aircraft, but a few panels here and there could add some pop.  

A mix of Tamiya X-14 Sky Blue and and XF-8 Flat Blue were used for the blue nose, per the instructions. I added some white and did a little fading on the top cowling for some variation. The nose was masked with Tamiya flexible tape. Gloss coat and decals are next. 

  • Member since
    November 2018
  • From: Saskatchewan, Canada
Posted by sickdude on Sunday, March 1, 2020 9:15 PM
I say it on scalemates, and i'll say it again, simply wonderful work sir! Your painting looks very realistic, well done!

William (Willy)

 
  • Member since
    February 2012
  • From: Olmsted Township, Ohio
Posted by lawdog114 on Monday, March 2, 2020 10:21 PM
Outstanding work. I was unaware Mission had a metal line. Is it durable?

 "Can you fly this plane and land it?...Surely you can't be serious....I am serious, and don't call me Shirley"

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    July 2019
Posted by Hoss WA on Tuesday, March 3, 2020 5:46 PM

sickdude
I say it on scalemates, and i'll say it again, simply wonderful work sir! Your painting looks very realistic, well done!
 

Thanks sickdude! I'm happy with how the different metal sections came out. Decals and more weathering is the next challenge. 

  • Member since
    July 2019
Posted by Hoss WA on Tuesday, March 3, 2020 6:11 PM

lawdog114
Outstanding work. I was unaware Mission had a metal line. Is it durable?
 

Thanks LD!

To be honest, Mission Models are the only metals I've used, so I don't have a good basis for comparison. However, they seem to be just as durable as any of the other MM paints. I haven't had any issues with masking or unusual scratching. I apply them over primer just like the other paints. They are fairly translucent so you have to build the metal effect layer by layer and let dry between coats. 

  • Member since
    July 2019
Posted by Hoss WA on Saturday, March 7, 2020 6:43 PM

Petie 2nd is now complete. 

After the gloss coat with Tamiya X-22/MCLT, the decals went on mostly without a hitch. After doing some research online, my understanding is that Mr. Mark Setter and Softer are formulated to work with Tamiya decals.  So I decided to try the ones with the kit. It actually worked much better than Microsol and MicroSet on Tamiya decals. They conformed to rivets and panel lines and were very thin when dry. Mr. Mark Softer is pretty hot so I diluted it 50% with water and was able to control it better. 

A black and dark dirt Flory wash was next, followed by some other minor weathering. I used Model Master semi gloss clear lacquer on the fuselage and metal control surfaces and Model Master Flat clear lacquer on the painted wing areas. 

The extra options (landing gear deployed/retracted, ammo and gun bays, engine, movable control surfaces, etc.) took quite a bit of time, but it was interesting swapping configurations around when complete. However, I don't plan to change poses and configurations at all when it's in the display case. 

Overall, I enjoyed the kit and was impressed with the engineering, fit and overall excellence of the experience. There were a number of firsts for me on this kit:

- first 1/32 Tamiya kit - It won't be my last, but I'm not going to build every option in the universe again.

- first metal finish - I think it turned out ok but I've seen some photos on this forum that are amazing. And I really think the 352 FG blue nose scheme is spectacular. 

- first P-51 Mustang model

- first time "wiring" an engine

It's wrap. Enjoy the photos and thanks for following along. 

 

  • Member since
    May 2013
  • From: Indiana, USA
Posted by Greg on Saturday, March 7, 2020 6:50 PM

Excellent workmanship. YesYesYes

Ditto on your photography and presentation. YesYesYes

Everything I can see looks just right. Nothing seems under or over-done. If a thread ever made me want to go out and buy a kit, this one surely does.

  • Member since
    February 2012
  • From: Olmsted Township, Ohio
Posted by lawdog114 on Saturday, March 7, 2020 9:25 PM

Perfection...

 "Can you fly this plane and land it?...Surely you can't be serious....I am serious, and don't call me Shirley"

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Northern California
Posted by jeaton01 on Sunday, March 8, 2020 12:07 AM

Simply outstanding!

John

To see build logs for my models:  http://goldeneramodel.com/mymodels/mymodels.html

 

  • Member since
    October 2018
Posted by familyman on Sunday, March 8, 2020 7:56 AM

As my 1980's self would have said, wicked awesome!

I thought the first 4 completed pics were of the real life plane.Bow Down

Mike

"An honest man's pillow is his peace of mind"

  • Member since
    October 2009
Posted by JacknewbIII on Sunday, March 8, 2020 9:40 AM

Wow! Tamiya should buy some of those pics for their box photos! I don't think it can be done any better than this.G base and beautiful 51!

  • Member since
    June 2018
  • From: Ohio (USA)
Posted by DRUMS01 on Sunday, March 8, 2020 1:02 PM

WOW and WOW! 

I second every positive thing thats already been said. 

You should be proud of your results as they are second to none.

Ben

"Everyones the normal until you get to know them" (Unknown)

LAST COMPLETED:

1/35 Churchill Mk IV AVRE with bridge - DONE

NEXT PROJECT:

1/35 CH-54A Tarhe Helicopter

 

  • Member since
    November 2018
  • From: Saskatchewan, Canada
Posted by sickdude on Sunday, March 8, 2020 4:49 PM
Wowie, wow wow! Perfection in every cense of the word, wonderful job sir Yes.

William (Willy)

 
  • Member since
    January 2015
  • From: Katy, TX
Posted by Aggieman on Sunday, March 8, 2020 5:21 PM

Having built that kit myself, I'll just say you did a fantastic job, especially considering all those firsts you mentioned.

Great photographs as well.

GAF
  • Member since
    June 2012
  • From: Anniston, AL
Posted by GAF on Monday, March 9, 2020 7:40 AM

Beautiful work, Hoss!  As you can tell by my avatar, I'm a big fan of the blue nosed Mustangs!

Gary

  • Member since
    December 2002
Posted by 7474 on Monday, March 9, 2020 10:24 AM
Fantastic job. I’ll have to look to see what paints you used for the wings.
  • Member since
    July 2019
Posted by Hoss WA on Tuesday, March 10, 2020 1:53 PM

Greg

Excellent workmanship. YesYesYes

Ditto on your photography and presentation. YesYesYes

Everything I can see looks just right. Nothing seems under or over-done. If a thread ever made me want to go out and buy a kit, this one surely does.

 

Thanks Greg! I highly recommend the kit. 

  • Member since
    July 2019
Posted by Hoss WA on Tuesday, March 10, 2020 1:53 PM

lawdog114

Perfection...

 

Thanks LD! 

  • Member since
    July 2019
Posted by Hoss WA on Tuesday, March 10, 2020 1:55 PM

jeaton01

Simply outstanding!

 

Thanks jeaton!

  • Member since
    May 2006
  • From: Chapin, South Carolina
Posted by Shipwreck on Tuesday, March 10, 2020 1:58 PM

Hoss, you did a real good job on that P-51. The 1/32 Tamiya kit sure has some fine detail to work with!

On the Bench:

Revell 1/96 USS Constitution - rigging

Revell 1/48 B-1B Lancer Prep and research

Trumpeter 1/350 USS Hornet CV-8 Prep and research

 

 

 

  • Member since
    July 2019
Posted by Hoss WA on Tuesday, March 10, 2020 1:58 PM

familyman

As my 1980's self would have said, wicked awesome!

I thought the first 4 completed pics were of the real life plane.Bow Down

 

Thanks familyman!  Much appreciated. I like to take a few photos of each model from an eye level perspective in a realistic setting. 

  • Member since
    July 2019
Posted by Hoss WA on Tuesday, March 10, 2020 3:00 PM

JacknewbIII

Wow! Tamiya should buy some of those pics for their box photos! I don't think it can be done any better than this.G base and beautiful 51!

 

Thanks Jack! Much appreciated!

  • Member since
    July 2019
Posted by Hoss WA on Tuesday, March 10, 2020 3:00 PM

DRUMS01

WOW and WOW! 

I second every positive thing thats already been said. 

You should be proud of your results as they are second to none.

Ben

 



Thanks Ben!

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