Wing seams are filled and she’s ready for prime. I was going to foil the fuselage, but I think I’m going to try gloss black paint, followed by Model Master Aluminum buffing paint. The wings are going to be painted a 50/50 mixture of white and silver. I hope this works.
Cheers
I use that MM Alunimum for my NMF, except for that I use the non buffing version, and I can tell you, it does not like any coats underneath it and should be put on last has tape is not kind to it, i.e. paint and mask any anti-glare panels first. Just FYI from my own experience
That’s usually the last thing I paint. I ran out a few weeks ago and I’m having a hard time finding it again.
Anyway. The wing seams are filled. Not perfect, but the wing of a P-51 wasn’t either. She’s ready for color. I’ll start with the wings. 50/50 mix flat white and silver.
Cheers
Very nice build. I’m currently working on a Hasegawa P-51K, which has the D parts included, and is being built as a D. My build looks nowhere near as good as yours, but I’ll be watching in the hopes that I’ll get some good pointers.
As an aside, are the cockpit sides molded into the fuselage on the Tamiya kit, as they are in that company’s F4F kit? Just curious, as the Hasegawa P-51’s cockpit sides are separate pieces.
Hi Dan,
Thanks for the compliments, but I’m sure your’s looks as good, probably better. The Tamiya kit has the same options. D and K. The K may be my next build. This has to be one of the best kits I’ve ever put together. The sides of the cockpits were molded in, but I removed it and added a true details cockpit.
Cheers
Rob, I don’t believe mine looks as good as yours. I’m still getting used to Model Master acrylics, my brush-painting hand isn’t exactly the steadiest, and I’m sure some colors aren’t correct. But I thank you for your vote of confidence, and you’re very welcome–keep up the fine work!
My build may be seen here. I didn’t post it earlier, as I felt it would be shameful self-promotion. It sounds like there might be at least one interested party now, though.
–Dan
Well, I didn’t like the way the paint came out on the fuselage. It just didn’t look like aluminum, so I decided to foil her using kitchen foil. So far, so good.
Cheers
Hey Lancair the 51 is looking good as your builds always do. I am glad you decided to use foil I like it better than the paint.
Rob, I bought some Testors aluminum for my P-51 project, but I was concerned about the flakes. You have provided a great solution! Would you be willing to share your technique?
Needless to say, it looks superb!
I start by spraying metal leaf adhesive the dull side of the kitchen foil. After it has set up, I cut an over sized piece for each individual panel. I apply the aluminum to the panel using a tooth pick to burnish it down and stretch it if necessary onto the panels. It takes a little practice to burnish it down into tight areas without tearing the foil. After it has been burnished, I trim with a new razor blade then re burnish the edges, followed by cleaning with a Q-tip and alcohol. The foil can now be toned down with 0000 steel wool. Changing the direction of the aluminum foil grain also gives each panel a different tone.
Hope this helps.
Rob, I have two more questions: where do I find the metal leaf adhesive, and does the aluminum foil require any special preparation before decals are applied?
I’ll definitely be trying this on my P-51.
Hi Dan,
I purchased the metal leaf adhesive from Michaels craft store. I would imagine you could find it at any good craft store though.
I did nothing special to the foil. Just tore it off the roll, made sure there was no dust on it, then sprayed the adhesive. The piece I’m using tight now was sprayed 4 days ago and it still really sticky.
Cheers
I have the Tamiya F-51D and actually am planning on using MM Chrome Silver as I found that actually the P-51D was painted Silver not Aluminum. But the puttied wings do sound like a good idea but didn’t they also putty the fuselage too? And besides the chrome silver is really shiney and I can see my reflection in it.
Hi Mike,
The wings on all P-51’s had a critical airfoil. To maintain best performance, the seams and rivets were sealed then the wings only were painted silver. The fuselage was left bare aluminum. Althogh some P-51’s were completly paintd (A, B, C, and some D’s)
Cheers
I started applying the decals today. Should be able to wrap this up by the weekend.
Cheers
You probably shouldn’t have added the tail numbers yet as you haven’t finished the tail. You left the rudder without a foil covering.
Mikeym as I recall the WWII P-51’s all had fabric covered rudder and, elevator control surfaces. I think, but am not sure that earlier P-51’s also had fabric covered ailerons as well. So Lancair does have it right. In post WWII they started using Aluminum covering for those control surfaces or converting them to aluminum.
Hi Mike,
The rudder on the P-51 is fabric covered and painted the same color as the wings.
Cheers
The elevators, flaps, and ailerons were aluminum. The rudder was the only fabric surface on the “D”
Cheers
My P-51D is complete. Covered with kitchen foil except for the wings.
Cheers