Mustang Build

Theuns,

Have you tried to use grey as a base to see what the difference is? It may be a little less shinny.

Psycho,

Boy don't I know it. Life has was way of doing that.

I am not really worried about the shine level on the highshine alclads, I have used the alclad clearcoats with great success to dull it down to the level I want.

The thing I can not get right is to get a real "depth" allu look without using the black as a base.

I have got the black on the f-51. now just need to pollish it for the alclad, really a boring job :-(

Theuns

Nice job pj, yup those open panel kits van be  a pain. ..

plasticjunkie

I'm finally done with this entry. I almost tossed  it into the trash cause of the fit issue with the panels I closed up.

Here's an update on the Phantom Mustang.

I got the landing gear linkage and bomb-dropping linkage all installed. It's a pain, and while I thought workable moving parts were cool as a kid, I really don't like them now. I only made it operable out of some sense of duty to my 12-year-old self.

After that, it went together relatively quickly. Fuselage halves were easy, then mounting to the main wing. The only difficult part was connecting the wiring since you need space to work, but can't really leave much in the gear bay, and it was impossible to pull the excess through from the underside. Oh well.

Now it's all assembled save for the mouth of the scoop, and just needs the tips of the propeller painted and decals. I think I'll put the decals on just to give it something a bit more interesting.

So that's it as it sits. I'll probably decal it tonight.

-BD-

That transparent Mustang freaks me out!! Very cool...

Brandon,

That is so cool!

I built this kit, like you, when I was young in the 60's, I was probably 7 or 8 at the time. This is bringing back memories. I am probably remembering wrong, but doesn't the gear retract and extend when the prop is turning, or is it a separate mechanism?

It's like that visible V8, I think I built 2 or 3 of them. I could never git to work properly. I always managed to glue some moving part together, or the little motor disguised as a starter attached to the bell crank, would always bind and never work right. The spark plugs were little (at least for then) lights and everything. Now I guess it has a crank instead of a motor, but still has a carburetor and generator like a 50's engine.

Sorry for getting off topic, just a walk down memory lane.

That's a very good looking phantom mustang. I see them at the hobby shop now and have considered picking one up.

I should have an update for the A-36 and B before the weekend is out. I'm 99% sure I've completed the B cockpit. Just need to figure things out with the A-36.

Here's my update, just the cockpits. everything is OOB except the Eduard seat belts.

P-51B

i168.photobucket.com/.../IMG_5055_zpsflqqfqla.jpg

i168.photobucket.com/.../IMG_5056_zps8fw2wuxb.jpg

A-36

i168.photobucket.com/.../IMG_5060_zpsf0ihdybc.jpg

i168.photobucket.com/.../IMG_5058_zpskdljacz3.jpg

Hopefully I'll starting closing things up soon

Psycho - thanks for the kind words. I like how yours are coming along. I especially like to see the A-36 since it's so often overlooked!.

Modelcrazy - Thanks, this is definitely more of a nostalgia build for me. It's funny you mention the visible V-8. I'd forgotten all about that, but as soon as you said that it reminded me. I always liked to see how engines worked, but I never built that one. I ended up working on real ones when I restored my dad's '66 Mustang, and I'm sure that caused a lot more headaches, haha.

Rob - yeah it kind of freaks me out, too.

Ok, this one is done.

The engine works, and the prop spins, and I do kind of like that feature. Both bombs drop just fine, and I think that's a little laughable, since they jus fall to the table, but it's cool, I guess. The landing gear doesn't want to work. It kind of moves around, but it never really goes anywhere unless I push it with my fingers. I'm ok with that, though.

Here are the pics:

The decals were a bit of a pain since the sheet was really yellowed, but I was able to get all the dirt off them, and they responded decently to Micro Sol and Micro Set. Still some silvering, but it doesn't bother me like it would on a painted bird.

I would say use the third pic for the gallery.

Thanks, all!

-BD-

Looks great Brandon,  

Cody will get your picture up soon. Thanks for joining in, and I see I have you down for a 1/48 Tamiya D. I can't wait to see that one as well.

Tha certainly is interesting  :-)

Theuns

Nicely done on finishing up something started as a young-un.  Considered on getting the one they had at the local store, but passed.  Not good enough for that much clear without hiding errors under paint.

I had a slight setback with my alrframe allu over the gloss black base...I was stupid enough to spray the alclad when it was rainy out so it all fogged up in a dull blotchy look. It must have been the paint blushing.....ah well, no medcine for stupidity!

I will sand it off and re-do.

 I might have to wait for the shop to get some more alclad in first :-(

Theuns

Thanks Brandon, I think all the Allison engine versions are overlooked. Your phantom mustang its amazing, Maybe I'll try one some day.

Oooh,  sorry about that Theuns,

That Alclad can be touchy stuff.  

Psycho,

Yeah, the Allison powered weren't as sexy as a fighter.  I find that only a few planes in the ground attack role were really focused on.

sorry I'm on my phone and lost my train of thought.

I actually like the Allison versions and the B. They look more streamline than the D in my opinion.

Superb work BrandonD!   That looks really cool!!!!  Pic is up! 

SoI sanded back the fialed alclad and then shot on dark allu , masked off a few pannels and shot airframe allu to lighten it a bit.

The rudder is silver dope.

Theuns,

 That looks like a great finish.  Being as I'm an alclad novice, what do you use to tape it off and how long do you let it dry before taping?

Groot

Groot, I use only tamiya tape for masking, it does not harm the alclad.

This model I painted the dark allu this morning, about 2 hours later I sanded the whole thing again with some 12000 MM to smooth it out , masked and put on the airframe alluminium. So as soon as the stuff cures in warm temps I recon an hour ot two you can mask and spray.

It is interesting how the alclad reflects the light. The pix were taken in natural light (overcast) and looks light, indoors it looks allot darker and the pannel tone differences are greater. In direct sunlight it take on the surrounding blue of the sky, just like the real stuff  :-)

Theuns

Theuns,

That Stang is looking good  . Won't be long and you'll be up on page 2. I glad you were able to fix the Alclad mishap, and you did it so well too.

I plan to "dirty her up" with a pannel wash the decals. Nothing to fancy though...

Theuns

Very nice Theuns

Steve

The decals were a little on the hard side, but microsol sorted them out well.
I clearcoated the whole thing with alclad semi matt.

It is a little to dull to my taste, but it seems these planes were very faded

Excellent Theuns...lovin' it thus far!

That looks fantastic Theuns,

I really like the way your Alclad turned out.

Love it Theuns! Turned out real nice!

Theuns,

 Thanks for the info, I had no idea it dried so quick.  

 Your mustang looks fantastic!

Groot

Just a tip, do not spray if it is rainy, it blushes the paint because it dries fast

Theuns