After car and motorcycle building for close to 30 years, (but secretly lusting after some of the warbirds) I just purchased Tamiya’s big 1/32 P-51-D. My local hobbyshop gave me a fantastic deal!
I’ve scoured the directions all evening. My ? is: I want to build it as shown on the box but, the instructions show 3 ways of construction but only 2 paint schemes. Neither is the one with the red nose and “blondie” nose art included in the decals. Has anyone else encountered this and have you just eyeballed the masking for paint.
I’m not much of a fan of acrylic paint. The paint callouts for OD green for internal walls and structures. Testors makes an interior green. (lighter than OD). Will this work?
Also if ANYONE can pass on build tips and problems to lookout for, I’d sure appreciate it…
(http://www.ipmsstockholm.org/magazine/2004/01/stuff_eng_interior_colours_us.htm)]this linkNo Olive Drab for interior structures, Interior Green is the color to use. Remember, cockpit floor was wooden, but painted black, If you like to do some weathering you may scrape off the black paint a little to reveal the “wooden” floor. Interior of the wheel wells is Interior Green as well. Check out to further research on USA aircraft interior colors. HTH. Best regards.
Yes, definitely go with Interior Green for the cockpit with a black instrument panel and sidewall details. Not sure if you have this or not but if you can get your hands on a “P-51 in Detail & Scale” book, I highly recommend it. It contains loads of great interior shots and I do believe they are in color. If you look on line, just be careful if you follow some modern restorations because those may or may not be accurate as well. Depending on who’s doing the restoration, the colors they use could either be spot-on or they could be using a non-standard color.
As for the Bondie markings, I think that is one sharp-looking plane. I have a few books showing that plane (also in amazing Technicolor). I’ll bet you’ll be able to find lots of pictures on line of that very aircraft. It’s not uncommon at all for lots of to use actual photos of the specific plane as a reference rather than trusting some form of printed material. Those printed ones can sometimes be wrong.
I’m building the same kit, its a lot of work, but a lot of fun. My WIP pics are posted on the forum. You might want to pick up Brett Green’s book How to Build Tamiya’s 1:32 P-51D Mustang… Lots of good tips, and alternate suggestions as well. I also bought a DVD set on building this kit, but found that less helpful.