After spending way more time on my bench than anything I’ve built in recent memory, my Wingnut Sopwith Pup is nearing completion.
I’m planning on building Tamiya’s big Spitfire VIII next, but I’m also considering kicking off a smaller, simpler build simultaneously. Something not quite as epic.
So…
Spitfire Vb
P-51D Mustang…
Which would you go with?
Go with the Mustang, to balance things out across the Atlantic, first British Sopwith, now NA Mustang. [:)]
I’m a fan of the Mustang, so Mustang. Just don’t pull a me and build nine of them at once.
I’d throw the “common paint” factor into the argument… you’ll already be mixing & spraying for the big Spitfire, just think of the time/paint savings you’ll have if building two kits with common colours.
Well, there probably wouldn’t be much overlap outside of the RAF interior green. The Mk.VIII is going to be wearing Middlestone/Dark Earth/Azure, and most of the Vb markings I’ve seen are Dark Green/Ocean Gray/Sea Gray…
Might be fun building two different versions of the Tamiya spitfire at the same time. Maybe write up a build review, comparing both builds. Besides, you’ll probably be able to build both small kits while still working on the larger one.
What scale is the larger spit you’re talking about?
Ives
1/32. It’s their big, expensive Spitfire Mk.VIII.
I’m looking ridiculously forward to it, but yeah, the Pup has worn me out. Love it…but it’s just crossed 90 days on the bench, and my average is closer to 45 days.
Thankfully the rigging’s almost done. After that it’s just some weathering.
That pup looks great. I’ve got a few Eduard Fokkers I inherited I’m trying to build up the courage for…having never done a bipe.
As to your question I would say go with the Mustang. As much as I love the Spit, knowing you are taking on the epic 1/32 bird I would say give yourself some variety. Both those kits are excellent having built them both in the past. My “big” build right now is the new Revell 1/72 B-17 which I’m nursing because I want it to be perfect. In taking time off from that one to avoid frustration I’ve built my 109 to completion, in the weathering stage of my Spit for the GB, and have a P-40 needing decals…so you may get the chance to build them both anyway depending on how often you feel the need to step back.
Nice Pup.
On the other, toss a coin, you can’t lose.
Have to admit - I was terrified of tackling my first bipe! Now that I’m on the tail end, though, well, I’ve got a second Pup waiting in the wings. With the lessons learned on this one, I’m hoping I can really knock the next one out of the park!
The stuff that terrified me - particularly the woodgrain and the rigging - turned out to be relatively foolproof with the techniques I’ve used. The rigging is certainly tedious, and the difficulty’s more in the dexterity, but it’s really hard to mess up.
And yeah, I think I’m leaning toward Mustang-land.
Make it Mustang Mk IV instead of a P-51D and overlap with the Spitfire thataway… While the P-51D had some wonderful colors, the RAF Mustangs always caught my eye first just because they were (generally) RAF camouflage instead of AAF NMF…
I’d say go for the mustang Matt. It is clearly a kit that is more in your “comfort zone”, the way you have spoken about it. Building it will both serve as a decompression build after that Sopwith and as a testbed for possible techniques you want to practice on or maybe planning for your future builds. It’ll be fun[:)]
Just my Eur. 0,50,=
Richard
The Stang of course, everybody knows chicks dig guys who build Mustangs.
Maybe biased, but, Moostang!
Spitfire. [:D]
I’ve reconsidered.
To be politically correct you must build both at the same time, in equal steps. If the parts count comes out uneven, you will have to do twofers for the last three steps on that kit that has the higher parts count. Everything must be documented and filed in triplicate with all eight governing agencies. Before stating any construction, all necessary permits must be in hand.
It may be the decision of the governing bodies that the Axis must be equally represented.
Tough call there Doogs but I’ll pitch for the Mustang seeing as your building the Spit for the GB.
I just picked up both of those kits, plus the Tamiya P-47D Bubbletop, at my recent visit to the Great Models warehouse. I can say that the Spitfire, which I.m building for the Spit GB, test fits out quite nicely. For my Mustang I picked up some Aeromaster decals to do mine as a Very Long Range escort (VLR) out of Iwo Jima. Sweet markings and a little known history.
Looking forward to your build(s), Joe