Can any one give me some advice on the best way to build this kit. I have not been in this hobby for the past 20 years. I’m a disabled Vet and can no longer work, So I’m taking up this hobby up to keep my self busy. I have most of it down pack except for painting and assembly of the fuselage. I need to know what order I need to follow when painting and filling in the gaps on the wings and fuselage. I know this is kind of crazy for a person to buy this kind of kit that has not been in this hobby for 20years. But I need the mental challenge. I have bought just about every book that Kalmbach offers about this subject. but I have a few grey matters. I will be using airbrushes for most of the painting. Any sugestions on how to building this kit would be greatly appreciated. I want this to be the best model I ever built. I was in the Air Force and I think the P-51D was on of the most beautiful aircraft ever built.
The kits instructions are a guide to the assembly sequence, you can deviate to suit your preferred sequence (usually what is easiest way to paint assemblies) I like to paint the aircraft without the cockpit glass on, its easier to concentrate on the fuselage and no danger of paint finding a way in.
Your P-51 is a good choice for NMF (Natural Metal Finish) Check out vetteman42’s GB (Group Build) called NMF II, there are several P-51’s build there that will help with yours.’
Welcome to the forums, also try the ‘search’ feature to read about other modeler’s Mustang builds.’
First of all, welcome back to the hobby! I’m sure you’re already finding that much has changed in the past twenty years!
Second, while I definitely understand the mental challenge side of things, coming back into the hobby after 20 years and diving into a 1/24 kit is kind of like coming back to running after twenty years and starting with a marathon.
If you want this to be the best kit you’ve ever built, you may want to take on a warm-up build or two first. Experiment with techniques, find what works for you, and then turn your attention to your masterpiece.
I don’t own the Trumpeter kit but do own an excellent reference Polish/ English reference book by Dariusz Karnas:
Modelmania #3 on the P51D Mustang by AJ Press ISBN 83-7237-163-6 provides walk-around photos, scale drawings, subassembly drawings, color views of each area of the P-51D as well as a sheet of data stencils in 1/24th , 1/32, 1/48th and 1/72 plus
a review and and assembly suggestions for the 1/24 Trumpeter kit.
I realize you purchased a lot of references and one more purchase may not be immediate financial posibility but I’ve found it to be a very worthwhile purchase at $25.
In the mean time, here are some on-line assembly/ construction reviews for the kit:
Thank You for the advice. Last night I down loaded those reviews from fine Scale Modeler. I also bough a bunch of books. Where can I find this book that you sugested? I have a old 1974 momogram P-61 black widow 1/48 kit I bough over 20 years ago. This kit is before Revell bough out momogram. The instructions were so bad that I had to order some from revell. I might build this kit before I take on the Trumpeter kit. If you have any more advice please fell free. At least I know I’m on the right track.
I want to thank you for all your help. I just ordered the tamiya P-51B Mustang kit. I also notice that this kit is on page 38 in Finescale Modeler Build and detailing model aircraft. I will try to follow the book to the letter. If I take my time I should be fine. I ordered two books last night and I already three books dealing with airbrushing and building aircraft. This is the first time I have been on a website like this one. If I have any questions, I know I can get answers here. I’ll keep you posted on my progress. Once again Thanks!!!