Hello!

I want to present my work of this iconic aircraft of WW2 : P-51D Mustang.
Kit is from Tamiya, one of the best 1/48 aircraft models IMHO.



I will represent the bird of capt. Donald S. Bryan, "The Little one" . Markings are from Eagle strike "Blue nose Birds of Bodney" .





Main construction is almost complete, I will show pictures later, have to do some improvements.

Minimum aftermarket will be used here (only resin wheels and canopy mask from Eduard), most is scratch.

Some work on the landing gear:





Thanks!

V

Hi Venelin,

I will be following along - I have this kit in the stash and the P-51D is my all-time favourite aircraft.

Looking forward to the next update.

Regards,
Kobus

Following this also. Lots of love for those Blue Nosed Bastards of Bodney.

Cheers,
C.

Thanks!

I choose the "Birds...", because of the attractive colors. I like the blue-red-metallic combo

Cheers!

V

Proceeding with the gunsight. Scratch from old PE frets, plastic rods etc. Clear parts are cut already, but will put them after painting.







Thanks!

V

...And replacing the kit guns with brass tubes, some need to be drilled more.

I decided to try new primer: Finishing Surfacer 1500. Excellent stuff, very fine, thinned with Leveling thinner sprays with no problems.








Cheers!

V

Have to do some corrections on the Hamilton standard propellers. The Tamiya ones are wider at the base, so little trimming and sanding will be needed.



V

More scratch on the cockpit:

-instrumental dials are from old decals;
-some levers, pipes, wires on the radio etc.;
-floor is from wood, but repainted with black paint, a bit of drybrushing to represent wear;
-back of the seat is treated with Surfacer 500 to represent leather (subtle);
-wash from Burnt umber oil paint;









Cheers!

V

Gunsight is painted:







...also some pipes on the wheel bay:





Thanks!

V

Nice work so far, the added details look very good.

Cheers, D

Really Good so far...!!!

Keep pushing forward...!

Bye...

Thanks!

I wanted minimum aftermarket here and maximum scratch build .

Cheers!

V

Hi Venelin,

Some really excellent scratch building. Your Mustang is looking really good!

Looking forward to the next update.

Regards,
Kobus

Wow very nice nice works looks great!

gr TC

Thanks

I have some other scratch to do and hope to start painting soon

Cheers!
V

Overall priming, rest of the parts are also primed. The Surfacer can be polished to high shine, but I want regular finish here with the Alclads. Canopy was dipped in future, will dry overnight, mask and proceeding with the painting.





Thanks!

V

Venelin,
A most impressive build to date on one of the most popular kits Tamiya makes in 1/48 scale,(one that I keep on saying is my next build, but to date hasn't happened).

I must say that I'm rather impressed with you restrained detailing. The scissor links on the landing gear struts are incredible, whose PE is it? Did you foil or use AlcadII chrome for the oleos?

While I haven't used Mr. Surfacer's Black 1500 primer/sealer, I do use their gray 1500, and like it very much. Trouble is I'm starting to amass a continuous growing collection of primers.

I'm rather interested in your reference for the need for the small modification the Tamiya Hamilton Standard Prop. I don't recall anyone ever mentioning that. then again, It's something that I don't think I've ever taken the time to correct on any kit I've ever built other then Revell Ventura PV-1. Excellent find.

I'm subscribing so I don't miss any of your build posts.

Joel

Thanks Joel!

PE on landing gear is from Voyager 1/35 Tiger I fret, plus brass beams . It was very useful- many, many small parts left

Yes, it's a foil for oleos.

(By the way, old PE frets are very useful, no matter of scale )

Finishing Surfacer 1500 is a very good, suppose the gray is same. Thinned with more Leveling thinner it's excellent. I have Alclad, AK primers etc., but IMHO that one is the best of them for me.

As for propeller blades, I've read on other articles that they need slightly sanding at the base. But maybe I will leave them as they are, or will replace them with Quickboost ones. Still not decided and someone with more knowledge will help here

I'm a complete novice about Mustangs, so this build is a kind of challenge for me

Cheers!

V

Canopy is ready:





Thanks!
V

Alclad duraluminium:

I will let the main color to dry, in the meantime preparing the landing gear. The resin wheels are superb, with slightly better detail than Tamiya ones, but the latter are also OK.





Thanks!

V

Different shades on the panels:

-Alclad Dark and White aluminium;
-Gunze Mr. Metal color Stainless steel;

Wheel bays will be resprayed and weathered later.
May be the pictures are a bit light, but this is my fault

Next is the Blue nose...







Cheers!

V

Looking good so far, Venko. Keep up the good job.

Cheers!
Gabriel

Thanks, Gabriel!

We have a blue nose , and the two black stripes on the fuselage. Blue is Lifecolor LC-10 Matt Dark blue, straight from the bottle, and I like it. You can add a bit black or light grey, if you want darker or lighter shade, respectively.









Cheers!

Venelin

Venelin,
Excellent job of painting those various panels, the effect is most realistic. The blue nose and black I.D. stripes are dead on perfect.

Joel