The P-51"mustang" Group Build. 2008

I built that Revell kit a while back.  It was the first kit that I'd built
for years prior.  I had alot of fun with it, have learned alot since then.   
The only modification I did was cutting the flaps off so I could position
them down.  The pilot figure is molded nicely.  I saved him and and he's
actually sitting in my P-51A for this build.  This kit features a sliding
canopy.  I thought that was a nice touch.  Wish more kits were like that.

Invertman, you will be very pleased with the Tamiya MkIII kit. 
It's essentially the same kit as ICM.  There is alot of suspicion that
ICM just blatantly made their molds from Tamiya parts, because the
kits are identical (except Tamiya is better quality plastic and decals).

Keep the good work rolling in!

Nice work, Ken! Love to see more!

Cheers,

Azgaron

Thanks, guys.

Windhawk - nice looking Revell.  My main problems have been the fit in the nose and underside fuselage.  I'm trying to decide if I want to tackle cutting off the flaps.  I know that they should be dropped if the gear doors are open.  Can you describe what you did and also do you happen to have additional pics of that area?

Thanks, Ken 

hey guys,

picked up the tamiya mkIII kit yesterday,and wow what a difference

in quality.

i've built a couple tamiya a/c kits in the past and wasn't dissapointed.

i'm done trial fitting parts and gave them a bath.

started painting the cockpit parts last night.

will start posting pics tonight.

jason

kbuzz01 wrote:

Windhawk - nice looking Revell.  My main problems have been the fit in the nose and underside fuselage.  I'm trying to decide if I want to tackle cutting off the flaps.  I know that they should be dropped if the gear doors are open.  Can you describe what you did and also do you happen to have additional pics of that area?

So are the flaps hydralically operated like the inner gear doors? 
They come down when the engine is turned off?  I've wondered
for years why all parked mustangs have their flaps down.

Here are some photos per your request.  I think the best way to
cut out control surfaces is to use the backside of an exacto blade
(the standard triangular ones) to litely scribe the panel line.  Just
apply enough pressure to keep the blade in the slot and drag it
accross about 10-20 times, then the control surface will easily
come off.  I do this on almost every kit now.  Really makes the
model look more dynamic (especially rudder/ailerons/elevators).
Let me know if you still have questions.

Terrible silvering (this was before I learned the clear-gloss trick) 

kbuzz01 - nice progress so far! I just built that kit, I know how much of a pain it is ;) Lots of dry fitting and re-painting, but I learned a TON from that kit. I know about the fitting, I ended up cutting off the "guides", dry fit a lot, and Tenax the fuselage, followed by 2 rounds of putty/sanding.

Nice work fellas!

Here are a pair from my collection...

Tamiya 1/72 on the left in Yeager's OD livery with Eagle Strike decals and a RNZAF Otago Squadron Hasegawa 1/72 with Ventura Decals.  No AM parts on these

This is part of a wider personal project, the "Mustang Ranch".  I am attempting as many models of the "Stang as possible...P51A, F6 (A or later mark), A36, P51B, Foreign Service D/K (done) ETO bird (done) PTO bird, Twin Mustang, Racer Mustang, P51H and perhaps an attempt at the Cavilier/C.O.I.N. (all in 1/72 scale) version which should be a kit bash/scratchbuild.

Windhawk, thanks much for the reply and pictures.  I might give the flaps a try, although I already have the wing halves glued together.  Or maybe I'll just leave them incorrectly up and do it the right way on my next Hasegawa build.  The Tamiya kit comes with a choice to go either way.  (Yup, the flaps drop when the hydraulic pressure drops.)

Here's my Tamiya 1:48

Thanks, again

Ken 

Hey Fred,

 Ah very cool.. Thank you for the feed back my friend..!!

Howdy dupes,

 Your too funny..!!! Na this kit is so far a breeze... Knockin on wood

Hi Drew,

 Thank you, glad you like it thus far..!!! By the way, I am going to send you a PM..!!

 Wow, I like what I see so far w/ the WIP's especailly the built ups.. Very sweet in deed guys..!!

Well here is what I have thus far... I put some black on my tires, tail wheel and wheel wells as my base coat.

 Used buffing Magesium for a secondary base coat for the tires & tail wheel... From there I dry brushed a light coat of buffing Aluminum.. Not too shabby me thinks.

 As for the wheel wells, I used the same method that I used on the interior!! Hope you all like the slow process so far..!!

 I also glued the fuselage together and dry fitted the wings to see what needs to be done before I glue them as well.. 

 O before I forget, I installed my IP and as you can see, I used the instrument decal. I placed a few drops of futire to represent the glass.. So far so good..... crossing fingers n toes..!! 

Thanks fer takin a peek..
Flaps up,

Mike

Rangers Lead The Way 

Moce cockpit and UC Mike 1!

Keep those pictures coming. I have to finish my Thunderbolts frist and Me 109 before I start P-51 for this GB.What also is holding me back it a problem I have with my aztek airbrush. I just purchased Badher 360 last night and hopefuly it will help me get on track quickly

Butz wrote:

Howdy dupes,  Your too funny..!!! Na this kit is so far a breeze... Knockin on wood

Hahahhaha...wondering if you were going to see that one!

HULK SMASH!

Progress is looking really good, btw.

Looking very nice so far, Mike!

Cheers,

Azgaron

dupes wrote:

Butz wrote: Howdy dupes,  Your too funny..!!! Na this kit is so far a breeze... Knockin on wood Hahahhaha...wondering if you were going to see that one! HULK SMASH! Progress is looking really good, btw.

 Hiya dupes,

 LOL... thats great...!!! I actually over looked it then went back foo what ever reason and saw it.. Good one thats fer sure..!!

 Thank you for the kind words.. 

Hey Drew & Azgaron,

 I too am pleased w/ the progress so far... Still up in the air on what scheme to put her in..!!

 Hello Greg,

 Yes in deed my good man, the WIP's will be updated every chance I can get..!! Really looking forward to seeing your Jug by the way..

 Hopefully your purchase arrives shortly so you can get a move on with your Stangs..!! Thanks again Greg for the comments... 

Flaps up,

 Mike

Rangers Lead The Way 

hey guys,

nice work going on here.

here are a few pics on the mkIII cockpit.

still have to do the seat harness,radio and paint a few other details.

jason

Hey Jason,

 Great lookin pit..!!!  Is this the Accurate Mini kit by chance?? What markings will she be wearing?

 Looking forward to the completed build..!!

Flaps up,

Mike

Rangers Lead The Way 

hey mike,

no its the tamiya mkIII kit.

haven't made up my mind on the markings yet.

going to make my choice this weekend.

jason

Hey Jason,

 Ah very cool... I have not built one in a while so I kind of forgot how the inards looked..!! Your going to love how the Tamiya Stang goes together. Just as a cation, be careful when you install the canopy.. The fit is a little iffy..!!

So your going to make the decision this weekend huh?? No matter what you chose, she'll be tops..!!

 Flaps up,

Mike

Rangers Lead The Way 

thanks for the kind words.

i think i'm going to order the squadron canopy set for it.

after the work i put into the cockpit i want to display the

canopy open,but that means i will have to scratch build the

canopy rails.

does anyone have any close up pics of these rails by chance?

thanks much.

jason

Butz - Looks goods! Interesting combination on the tires... pardon the (yet again) newbie question but, what is the advantage over flat black? I mean, tires looks REAL good, I may try it on mine

Invertman - great looking pit! I keep saving pics from this WIP for reference :)

ok guys dont laugh,but this is my

first real attempt at making seat harnesses.

but anyway........

the pit still needs the radio put in but my hands are killing

me after the harness escapade.

should have it done and ready to close up tomorrow.

jason

Beautiful looking pit, invertman .  All the effort was definitely worth it.

Here's a small update on mine; she's been buttoned up and given her first round of filling and sanding.  Next up, priming and then more filling and sanding

You might be able to make out the drilled out gunports.  I'm installing the steel barrels last so I don't have to worry about masking them.

-Fred

Looking good, nice progress, Jason and Fred!

Cheers,

Azgaron

My P-51C is just about complete except for one thing!

This build is part of a collection of Tuskegee Airmen a/c and I want to depict this particular a/c as Co. Davis', "By Request" but can't find decals!

Any suggestions other than 'DIY'!