This is the Tamiya P-51D which I’m building as Ridge Runner III for the Mustang GB. The kit itself is a beauty. I’ve added the excellent True Details cockpit set as well as Ultra Cast exhausts and Barracuda wheels.
I added a bit of wire to the battery area and used Albion alloys tubing to replace the wing guns. Here are some photos:
I went a bit heavy with the dry brushing in the next photo, but I toned it down. I don’t have photos of the final result.
I know that the P-51 had a black floor, but wanted to try my hand a the natural wood finish. I was going to paint it black and weather it to show some of the wood finish, but I liked the wood finish too much and didn’t want to cover it up.
I’ve got some paint down but haven’t taken any photos yet. I’ll post more soon. Thanks for looking.
Awesome pit Steve. Liking the wiring too. I use the TD pit on all my P-51s. I put one in my Detroit Miss last year. Its in here as a WIP, so feel free to peruse it if your so inclined. I look forward to your progress…
This is looking great, Sanderson. I got the email update on the Mustang group build this afternoon and perused it from there. Excellent work. It’s making me want to get mine out.
Joe - I got the idea for the gun tubes and the wood floor method from you Detroit Miss build! Thanks for posting some really good tips and ideas! Gonna try my had a making a base using your tutorial.
Sweet job with the add ons Steve. That’s going to go a long with even with a closed canopy. =] Joe’s cockpits are the best huh. Even an ordinary pit without any bells or whistles comes out looking superb.
Here’s the latest update. I primed the model using Tamiya white primer and then pre-shaded the panel lines with Tamiya flat black. Then I painted the airframe Alclad Duraluminum and highlighted several panels with Alclad Magnesium and Alclad Semi-Matt Aluminum. The red on the nose, tail, and canopy is Mr. Color 79 Shine Red. The white primer and pre-shade helped give the model a dirty, dull look.
For the landing gear, I used .015 solder run through small sections of Albion Alloys tubing to replicate the brake lines and their attachments. The wheels are from Barracuda.
Next up is to paint the prop blades and install them in the nose cone and spray a clear gloss so that I can apply the decals. I also need to add the twin rear view mirrors and antennas.
Very nice, sharp paint job. I particularly like how your Alclad turned out, NMF is such a tough subject but it looks like you nailed it. The photos make your red look very orange, is it the pictures or is it naturally a rather orange color (not familiar with Mr. Color paints). I’m enjoying seeing this one come together.
