During the Korean War, the finish of the P-51 Mustangs consisted of painted main wings and rudder, which was a fabric material. The main wings were painted to improve the laminar flow of the wing design. The fuselage, main wing flaps and ailerons, stabilizer and tail wing were all left natural aluminum. The plane could not compete with the MIG jets so it was relegated to a role as a fighter/bomber. My model is a Tamya 1/48 scale. The main wings and rudder are painted with Testors Aluminum Plate Metalizer straight from a rattle can. I did not buff the metalizer paint. After the paint dried it was sealed with Testors Metalizer Sealer. The remainder of the plane was covered with Bare Metal Foil of various shades of Matt Aluminum and Improved Chrome. After the foil was applied, I enhanced the grain by brushing the foil with 0000 steel wool. After the foiling was finished. I added rivets with a rivet making wheel. I then toned down the shine of the metal by wiping it with an amonia based kitchen cleaner. After the decals were applied I weathered the model with Tamya "Smoke. This is the second airplane that I have used Bare Metal foil on. The first was a P-47. I have stopped trying to imitate a natural aluminum finish with paint. IMHO, paint does not look correct. Only real metal can imitate real metal.
I used an Eduard photoetched cockpit to enhance the detail of the cockpit. I also used Eduard resin wheels and tires.
The Mustang was loaded with 6 rockets and two bombs.
This photo shows the realistic look of the Bare Metal Foil. Only real metal shines like real metal.
This is a photo of my P-47 and my P-51. The P-47 was really huge comparied to the P-51. The P-47 looks like a truck.
Using Bare Metal Foil will not be your cup of tea if you are the kind of modeler that likes to complete a model in a reasonable amount of time. I started this model in June and finished it today. Using BMF is a tedious job, but I think that the final result is worth the effort.
