Found the natural metal very hard to photograph. Used Alclad Airframe Aluminum with other shades of aluminum to highlight panels. Learned that the Mustang’s horizontal stablilizer is angled left slightly to compensate for torque. I learned this after I corrected the angle thinking it was a molding defect. LOL. THAT WASN’T EASY! Oh well, don’t think anyone will notice. Also, this was my first attempt at a base. Got a precut wooden circle at Home Depot. Cut some “Concrete Slabs” from sheets of fine grit sandpaper. Sprayed it various shades of gray, trying to leave a little of tan color of the paper showing. Used Tamiya Black panel wash between the slabs. It tended to run if I went too heavy and much to my delight ended up looking like convincing oil stains.
Decals went down nicely. The blue diamonds require a gentle touch to get into place. I could see them separating and causing some headaches. The blue stripes on the spinner were a challenge to line up correctly. For OOB this was a great kit. Might get another to build the other markings.
Wow! That looks fantastic. How did you find the Airfix fit and finish to be? I have one of their 1/48 P-51’s in my closet awaiting its turn, and I have never done an Airfix before. Also, I was just pondering today on clever ways to display my finished model airplanes without just setting it on a table. This has given me a lot to think about. The round base looks great.
Thanks for the compliment. I thought the kit was really well engineered and very detailed out of the box. I don’t have the experience to compare it to the pricier competitors, but it seems like a lot of bang for your buck. Will definitely build more airfix.
I’m working on the same kit, only for the other set of decals. Have the fuselage closed up, and the wing done. So far, fit and detail are just fine, very little filler needed.
