(2) P-51-D's Revell & Tamiya (wip-finish)

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

I completed these birds for the “Odd Animal GB” and decided to build them at the same time as a sort of kit comparison for my own curiosity. Not surprisingly, the Tammy (Miss Marilyn II) has recessed panel lines, a little better interior details and fit but the Revell (Big Beautiful Doll) is not bad at all (it just requires a little more modeling skills, which I lack). It was also my first experience with MM metalizer paints and they are VERY unforgiving (as I’m sure you all know) but you live and learn. I will give Hawkeye’s product a go after these run out. At any rate, thanks to Hammer for some decals and fermis for some pointers (I wish I built like him [;)]). I also got to find me some realistic seat buckels, the ones scratch from tape and twisty-ties just doesn’t cut it!

2

Well Sir, those turned out quite nice[H]

3

I have a pretty good idea which pit is which but they are pretty close...maybe you shouldve pointed out which one was the Revell vs. Tamiya for the people who arent sure. Obviously you know the finished builds apart. BTW...very nice job all the way round. I use MM Metalizers and think they give a very convincing finish…just have to be careful with them. I also want to try the Talon products but haven`t gotten around to ordering yet.

Again, nice job!

Len

4

Well I guess it’s a good sign if you weren’t completely sure which was which. [:D] The BBD is the Revell and MMII is Tamiya (I will edit the post). The MM Metalizers are fine I guess, never realized how much sin they expose on the under surface and how important it is to seal them or you get silver on everything. Thanks Len

5

Very nice indeed. I have never used MM, i am hooked on Alclad, i don’t know what problems you had, but you seem to have sorted it. Thanks for shareing [Y]

6

Always loved that paint-scheme… The 55th FG was dad’s WW2 unit…

7

So, what is your overall assessment of the two kits? Pros and cons of each? Great work on both.

8

Revell P-51D - 12.49 MSRP

Tamiya P-51D - 39.99 MSRP

'Nuff said, lol…

9

the Tamiya is nearly $40?! I didn’t know they were that expensive. I got one from Hobby Lobby that was marked at $22 ($16 with the coupon, if I remember correctly) [:O] Are you sure you have your numbers correct? Squadron has the Tamiya mustang MSRP at $30…

10

I was just clowning around, Owl… And just ball-parking… But since you seemed somewhat concerned, let’s explore it… Then I promise not to hi-jack your thread any further, R-Man!

I remember seeing the Tamiya kit with the staff car at 61.00 bucks, so I knocked 20.00 off… Seen it without the car at 30.00 too… Also at 26.00, and as high as 35.00… If it’s only available at on-line stores for a person, shipping costs count too, which run it back up towards the 40.00 range, since my shipping costs from on-line stores and Ebay average about 9.50 for a single-engine kit… As for FSM reviews, they haven’t reviewed ANY P-51Ds in 1/48th scale since the ICM review (Apr '05-MSRP 13.50), much less the Tamiya kit, so I don’t know what happened in Milwaukee with it…

One shop has two different Tamiya D-model Mustang kits, and they run 26.00 and 28.00, the B-model is 28.00 and the staff car kit sold separately is 27.00

Seen 1/48 the Tamiya Zeke yesterday at H/L and it was marked at 57.00, although they were running 30% off all plastic kits this week… Also, it’s been 37.00 MSRP in some reviews, 30.99 in another… Even the FSM review of the Zeke MSRP’d it at 57.00 (Dec '08 issue)…

The Tamiya P-47D Razorback is MSRP’d at 41.00 in FSM, another place has it at 37.00, still another at 45.00…

So there’s really no one telling the truth about prices until you get to the hobby shop, Owl… Only thing that consistant about 1/48 Tamiya aircraft is their inconsistancy, lol…

At any rate, even if it’s only (only?)30.00 for the P-51D, that still makes a pretty big “con” IMHO, when placed alongside the Monogram, err…Revell Pony at 13.50 (which is the current H/L price)…

11

Yep, I thought she was going to be a real pain given the sloping NMF/Green Drab line but it actually wasn’t bad. The red decal is a challenge if you don’t paint at the correct degree. I personally like this one better (probably because I swore words not heard for sometime puting on the BBD decals [cnsod].

12

Thanks, You know the Tamiya is a little more “current” because of the recessed panel lines, little better overall fit, some better details. If you look at the wip pics the ones on the left (as you look at it) are the Revell and right isTammy. Even so, the Revell builds out nicely, it takes a little more work but hey that’s what we do. Since the original Tammy kit is Korean era, I had to use the Revell decals so you can imagine the potential issues if the kits were different sized. Funny but the checkered decal on BBD (which was made for it) was a big fat PIA. And I had to hand paint the yellow stripe on the MMII spinner, instead of using the decal provided. All in all, not a huge price difference between them, I think Owl is correct on her estimate.

13

Oh yeah, I forgot you were doing the F-51D kit from the Tam P-51D… Heck, I forgot I even HAD a Tamiya Mustang until now, lol… I snagged my F-51D for like 14.00 bucks on an H/L clearance…

14

Thanks for the rundown. I come across both kits at decent prices occasionally, so I may pick the Revell kit the next time I see it…I have two Tamiya’s. I am finding I am adding more and more Revell kits to the stash.

Not to change the subject, but I was at Hobby Lobby, today, and they are clearance pricing all their Tamiya Swordfish, but price was at 40% off. I could have gotten it at that price anytime with the coupon. I suspect they may be getting ready to mark them down some more, so I will keep my eye on it. Thought I would alert you all, if that is happening at an HL near you.

15

Doing the same thing m’self, lol… When they DO mark down a kit below the 50% off point, and I’m strapped for funds, I always hide it in the store somewhere, lol… I got kits stashed all over the place sometimes, lol…

16

Tamiya prices are typically all over the map depending on source. Personally, I’ve never paid more than $23 for one of their Mustangs. I also try to group online orders to distribute shipping costs. $9 for one kit is kind of ridiculous. But $9 for four kits + some paint + masks and a few decal sheets brings the per-unit shipping cost way down.

Is it entirely possible to pay way too much for a Tamiya kit? Sure. Buy it retail at Hobbytown. But with a few exceptions (Storch, 1/32 Spits) they can usually be found way cheaper with a bit of patience.

I’ve somehow never built the Revellogram Mustang, even as a kid…plan to some day, but for now I’ve got several Tamiyas in the stash that I need to burn through first (two Ds, a B and a Mk.III).

17

Nice Mustangs!

18

Great idea!!! Just picked up the Revell P-51 at Michaels for $9 with Coupon!!!

19

The D or B? The Revellogram B-Model is a newer kit from1999 or so, with all-new tooling, compared to the D which was released in the 70s…

20

It is the D model…same kit as with this thread…I am looking forward to playing with it…