Hi

I am building the Zoukei p51 as the Red Dog version.

Can anyone tell me if this variant was painted or natural metal as I think if it's natural metal the wings and tail need to be a slightly different metal effect to the body?

If anyone has a lead on this or any further info on this version it would be much appreciated

Cheers

Kilsh

Hi Neil

Welcome to Aeroscale. It's great to have you aboard.

I don't know the scheme in question off hand, but factory-finished n/m P-51Ds had filled and silver-painted wings. The paint could be removed in the course of overhauls, so there's no hard and fast rule - it's all down to reference pictures to judge.

All the best

Rowan

Hi Rowan

Thanks for the welcome and the info

Regards

Neil

Neil,
From what I've read more then just a few times is that P-51Ds from the factory had the top/front 40% or more of their wings puttied and then painted with some type of Aluminum paste and clear lacquer to improve air flow. The bottom of the wings were never painted.

The painted on lacquer was often worn off or removed by grown crews, so it's really a crap shoot as to how you want to represent your build. If you're representing a aircraft that just came online from the factory, then the wings need to have the rivets sanded, and then the recessed panel lines filled with putty, but the caveat to this is that in all likelihood remnants of the rivets and panel lines were to some degree still visible.

Joel

Thanks Joel

Looks like I have some leeway with this.

Cheers

Neil