Well, I’m not going to make a complete 360 on my initial assessment, but I must admit I overreacted a wee bit. Once a coat of Alclad primer was added I became more pleased with it. I only had a few minor seams that needed attention but I was happy with the results. That detail is simply breath taking. It was so nice that I wasn’t able to “laminair flow” the wings with putty…too beautiful to mess with.
After primer, I started with Alclad Duraluminum as a base which is my go to for that worn “combat” look. I used to get pebbling at wing roots but I discovered that higher pressure (about 20 psi) coupled with getting in close, resulted in it going on wet. This seems to alleviated it for me.
Next I started taping off panels and spraying shades of the Alclad. I may even add more.
Almost time for that blue nose. I need to research the proper shade. I believe the 352nd had an early, lighter blue and late one that was much darker. Petie 2nd was probably the lighter blue.
The Alclad came out looking great! I’m going to have to try that trick for the wing roots which are always a problem for me. Looking forward to the blue going on!
The pit is looking spectacular. Hey dog I agree with you about skipping the laminar flow putty on the wings. I have a 1/32 Dragon Mustang in the stash that I have been looking over and like you said, too pretty to cover up the details.
This might be topic for elsewhere but is this going to be the new model design snaptite. For adults I started building in the late 60s and gluing a kit is something I have really learned to like. But then again I guess I can glue a snap tite. Snaptite is how I taught my kids to use glue.
Nice work so far, Lawdog. As far as the snaptite assembly, I think I would have a hard time not gluing it all down.
No sink marks in the fuselage where those big attachment points are? Nice!
I think if I can snag one of these for under $40 I will go for it, but I have high hopes for the Eduard Mustang in 2018. Because I think Eduard will absolutely rock it and make the definitive Mustang kit. Judging by the way they released their Spitfires and Bf-109G series, I think we can even expect an A-36 down the line, as well as an early D model without the tail fillet.
As for colors, I did Petie 2nd with Humbrol (I know) French Blue.
Looking at my kit, I’m thinking it’s definitely time to build another…
Oh, one thing I have heard about the Meng kit (and I’m sure you’re aware of) is that the canopy in the open position is inaccurate. I read that due to the way Meng made it posable, it doesn’t dip down in the rear when open, like the real onedid.
Not having built it, I can’t comment on that, but something to watch for.
Looking good! Almost on the home stretch now. I agree that French Blue is a good match for the blue nose birds. I think many folks have used it for years for this.
Also agree on the forthcoming Eduard P-51 family. I can only imagine that they will kit all of the relevant versions. What is funny to read though is that some folks think the Hasegawa and Tamiya kits are in need of being replaced. They may lack a bit of super fine detail in a few areas but sheesh these kits STILL look great after 20+ years on the market. The Hasegawa kit’s only real ‘flaw’ IMHO is the super-shallow wheel wells. Both kits did not replicate the wheel well properly though so that can be laid at both kits’ feet. For me personally, I’m not wound up about the wheel wells…in all seriousness how often are our built kits viewed from below? I appreciate getting it right but sometimes it seems a bit overboard.
Awesome! I hope mine turns out half that nice. That blue is dead on. I think my LHS carries Humbrol so I’ll go check it out. Besides, I’m out of Micro Sol. Airfix is releasing a new tooled D later this year too. Rumor has it you will have a tail fillet option, which I find very appealing.
Thanks Toshi and Lee. Indeed the Hasegawa kit is still nice as I have a few in the stash. I agree about the LG bay, no biggie to me. You could always close the inner doors, which would be believable since the flaps are molded closed. You could argue there was still hydraulic pressure.
Another annoyance with the Hase version is how the top engine cowl is a seam, so you have to sand and scribe the center line, then add the fasteners with a pin vise. I like Tamiya’s one piece insert here. Personally, I think it’s a step below Tamiya in regard to surface detail too. I do however prefer Hasegawa’s one piece bubble canopy which I usually drop onto my Tamiya kits sincecI display my cockpits open. The Tamiya two piece abomination is utter garbage.
I can’t wait to see what Airfix and Eduard do with this subject.
I’m finally in the home stretch. My struggle with this turkey continues. I taped off the windscreen and tried to add it for easy of painting the blue nose which encroaches onto it, Unfortunately I couldn’t get it to click in and under pressure I accidentally broke the starboard gear. The fact that I added wire brake lines saved it from disappearing completely…absolute dumb design[:@]. I walked away for a bit then returned later. After some trimming I got it pressed in there. Of course there was a small gap as with everything else so far but at this point I’m past caring.
On to painting. The Eagle Cal sheet showed that at one point Petie 2nd had two black belly bands that were apparently wider than normal invasion stripes. They had a photo included to confirm this. I decided to paint these in accordingly. I notice that most folks who build this scheme don’t add these so I wanted to be different.
Then came that blue nose. I used XF-8 Flat Blue with a touch of XF-4 Yellow Green. I added some XF-2 Flat White and I think I got it close. Alot of people stess over taping off the Bodney nose. I found it to be fairly easy with Tamiya tape which curves well when sliced thin. Once complete, I sprayed the blue with Alclad Clear Gloss.
The Eagle Cal decals behaved wonderfully. Finally something went right.
I added a Flory wash which really brings out the detail on this kit. I then started adding the other bits and pieces. Of course I almost broke off all the landing gears trying to press on the tires. So far nothing HASN’T require glue.
I’m planning on a dusting of Dullcoat, Some postshade weathering, then addition of the canopy and it will be done…
Great job with the Alclad. And that blue has come out really nice, will have to remember that mix and try it.
I have a couple of Bodney Mustang decal sets which make referance to the differant shades of blue used on differant aircraft. But i can’t recall off the top of my head which colours they suggest.
Interesting WIP, Joe. Too bad about your various frustrations but as always you have perservered and you almost got 'er now.
Funny you mentioned the curvey mask at the nose. First thing I noticed and worried about long before you painted yours. I’d never seen a blue nose P-51 before, now I gotta make one. Looks so cool.
Outstanding build Sir…the thing I like best about your WiP’s is not only the strong attention to every detail…but the things I learn from them. Wonderful job Joe.
