Tuskegee Diorama

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

Moved from Community Assistance

I want to make diorama based on the Tuskegee airmen and am just starting my research.

First question is, which kit to build? I want to build in 1/48, and the Tamiya 61047 North American RAF Mustang III seems to get excellent reviews, but of course it’s got the wrong decals. From what I have found out so far, the RAF Mustang III equated to both P51-B and P51-C models.

The build I want is based on a picture of Captain ‘Jug’ Turner’s P51-C ‘Skippers Darlin’ III’ out of Ramitelli in Sept 1944, from Tuskegee Airmen by Barry M. Stentiford.The canopy looks as though it may present a problem, although I’ve read, somewhere, that this kit offers a variety of canopy options.

So, is this a good route to go? Are there any other issues that I am unaware of? Where to source decals for the Tuskegee plane?

2

The only difference between a B and C is where they were built. Check out Sprue Brothers for decals since they have that one available.

3

Tamiya also sells their P-51 with Tuskegee decals.

http://www.tamiyausa.com/items/plastic-model-series-20/1-48-scale-aircraft-20000/north-american-p-51d-mustang-25147

4

I built a 1/48 Tamiya P-51 a couple years ago. I think I have purged the instructions though. I do remember that it came with 2 different canopies to choose from, but no clue on what they specifically were. You might try kitsworld if you haven’t looked there already:

www.kitsworld.co.uk/index.php

The kit was excellent, though I had some trouble getting the canopy to sit right, so opted for half open. Other than that, it was a fantastic build.

Groot

5

I had lunch with Dr. Stentiford Monday. I can’t speak for him, but I think for your diorama you should avoid most paints labled “Flesh”.

6

Don KC, I am jealous! You’re absolutely right and I’ll be posting about that later

7

I’ve noticed that Model Master acrylics have a wider variety of “flesh” tones that could probably be mixed to get a better tone.

http://www.testors.com/category/573144/Figure_Colors

8

Andrea makes a set of flesh tone acrylics (6 or 8 colors) but the instructions are confusing and I have yet to figure out how to use them properly.

I’d just pick a basic flesh tone that I liked and mix a lighter and a darker version of the same color, and wing it blending in shadows and highlights.

Trust “The Force”, Luke!

9

Yeah, the B was manufactured in California and the C was made in either Dallas or Ft. Worth. Other than that, they’re the same bird. Looking forward to seeing your build! Raymond

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Looking forward to this one myself. I have some pictures of a very recently restored P-51C in Tuskegee markings that I could send you, if you’d like. I took them at an airshow at Warner-Robbins AFB (Macon, GA) in April 2012. No one standing around the plane. Just PM me and let me know…