P-51 model review

[frank3]

I just finished this model today, it's a 1/48 P-51D Mustang from Revell.
This model I tried to make exactly like the front:


I'm just going to tell you how I experienced making this modell, what went wrong and what not
Ofcourse added with pictures, I hope you'll like it!

To start with the kit, it was packed very securely in plastic bags, to avoid scratches and such, I've had worse...thanks Revell


The first thing you have to do with every kit, is cleaning the parts.
A oil-ish substance coveres the parts after molding, by removing this, the paint will stick alot easier.
Just use some water, soap and a tooth-brush.


Next, I started with the cockpit, here are the parts you need.

All in all, the cockpit is fairly detailed, I never liked the pilot figures very much, but this one looked promising, I decided to give it a go.

[frank3]

The model will be painted in it's natural metal look.
I used a regular aluminium paint for it.
To give it that 'worn look' I needed to highlight the panels, if you look at a real metal aircraft, you can see none of the panels are the same.

before


To do this, I taped off some panels on the wings, fuselage and such.
I then sprayed on the aluminium color, make sure it fully dries, then apply a second coat.


after

Remove the tape, and then lightly spray the whole part with the same color.
By aplying a thin 3rd coat, the panels look abit darker then the other panels (which had 2 coats)

It might not show very well at the pictures, but it works really well, a distinct difference has been made between panels.

[frank3]

I then glued the fuselage halves together with the cockpit in.

The next thing I did was painting the anti-glare green on the nose.
I decided to give it a weathered look, by having green paint chipped off.



To do this, spray a coat of aluminium first and let it fully drie.
Then spray some Future or something like it to protect the base coat. (the aluminium)
Make sure it fully dries and then spray on the green coat.

Wait some 5-10 hours so it's touch-drie. Press a piece of tape on the part you want chipped and pull it roughly.
You'll see some 'weathering'.

[frank3]

Prop!

The propellor pieces, very obvious and don't need further explanation actually.

Spinner, propeller and pieces





Here you can also see the gun-bay, when buying the kit, I didn't expect this and almost bought a expansion set!
It isn't very detailed, but it's better than nothing.
(Make sure you paint the gunbay before you glue the wings together!)

[frank3]

At this point, I added all wings parts, stabilizers etc.
The wheels were abit of a problem though, I had to melt the wheels to the struts, this left a hideous molting mark which still can be seen. I had no idea how to remove this.

wheel wells and gear


the lower part of the nose hasn't been painted, this is because it will be covered with decals


As you can maybe see, I started adding the checker decals on the nose. I never liked big decals like this, and obviously, it was a terrible job.
The decals don't stick very well to round surfaces, and as you all know, the nose is round
I had to do alot of cutting, re-attaching and cursing before the nose looked somewhat presentable.

The kit also supplied checker decals for the wingtips.
Point of advice: do NOT use these, they are awfull to stick on (the wingtips are bent, so can't be applied properly)

Instead, I painted the tips

[frank3]

Weathering

Beside the chipped-off paint, I decided to add some more weathering.
I wanted to have some gun-smoke, oil spillings and such.



For this, I used a stick of compressed charcoal, a knive, small container and some brushes.


Apply it on the part, wait awhile untill it's almost dried and whipe it off with a slightly damp cloth or tissue.
(remember to wipe it into the direction of the airflow!)

With this method, I made the gun smoke and ejection chute smoke.

[frank3]

Finished!

Well, the model has been finished today and I shot some pictures, please tell me what you think!

[frank3]

[Kegger26]

I love it. One thing though. I think you went alittle overboard with the weathering on the prop blades. I know I would never let my prop get that chewed up, and I have a hard time thinking the crew cheif would too.
 I also think the weathering on the prop covers way to much of it. You will get small little gashes in your prop, but most of the marks are along the leading edge. Play around repainting the prop. When I get a chance today I will go out an snap an upclose pic of my airplanes prop. I have a three bladed Mccully that has about 60 hours on it. The two bladed one I had on it last summer started throwing oil on a trip up to NY. Rather than having my old one rebuilt, I just went and bought this one.
 But in the pic you will see bug guts, blood from bugs and some small nicks and scratches along the leading edge. This is more realistic in my mind. A plane with a chewed up prop doesnt fly well. I just cant see a fighter pilot flying his that way.
 Other than that great job. Thanks for sharing and taking the time to walk us though all of those steps.

EIDT: It just started pouring here. Tomorrow is suppose to be nice and sunny. I will go out then and take a few detailed photos for you. I will also take some other pics from diffrent aircraft. That way you will have the full spectrum of chewed up props. I am a polishing nut on mine. I found if I use some lemon pledge along the prop, spinner and leading edge of the wings the bug guts wipe off with ease.

[bunch]

The plane is obviously post-mission, as those gun smudges would be removed when the guns were cleaned before any subsequent combat flight.  most have scratched his prop on the tall grass in some low strafing

[Guppy35]

I'd agree with Kegger.  A bit too heavy on the weathering.  This was the Group CO's bird too and those tended to stay in pretty good shape.

One minor point.  You have the Star and bar on the wrong wing.  Should be top of left wing and bottom of right.

Sure looks like you know what you are doing though.  Nice work

Dan/CorkyJr

[SKJohn]

I think it look's like you did an excellent job!  I agree with others, propeller looks like it needs a replacement - talk to crew chief to get that done.

Re: decals on rounded surfaces.  have you tried "Micro-Sol" and "Micro-Set"?  Applying this when you put down decals makes them snuggle down and settle into places like the spaces between aielorons and wing, panel lines, etc.  If you haven't used it, I definitely advise you to get some on your next trip to the hobby store.  Great stuff.

BTW - why isn't this P-51D skined in Aces High yet?

[SKJohn]

Originally posted by bunch
The plane is obviously post-mission, as those gun smudges would be removed when the guns were cleaned before any subsequent combat flight.  most have scratched his prop on the tall grass in some low strafing

If it was post-mission, why are the drop tanks still atached?

[frank3]

Thank you for comments and advice guys, I will go easier on the propeller next time.


I know about the stars 'n bars Guppy, but I found that out too late, the manual didn't give a very torough explanation about the decal settings. (though it's still my fault )

John, about the micro-set and sol, I assume I can get it in the regular hobby-shob, but has it got other names? Remember I do live in Holland

[frank3]

Originally posted by SKJohn
If it was post-mission, why are the drop tanks still atached?

They didn't always have to drop the tanks.
(you'd wonder why it does have gun-smudge, but still has it's dt's on...)