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Well, I just finished my P-47D-16-RE for a magazine article I wrote, so I'm up for the F-6A build now. Gonna take a look at things tonight and see what I need to do as far as modifications. I'll most likely build one without the camera installation, just because I don't want to have to hunt down a new one.

This'll be a nice break from Jugs, although I'm looking forward to getting back to several of them!

Jon

Edited by Cobrahistorian
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I'll take some pics in the morning, but I made some headway on my F-6A tonight before we had to hunker down in the basement because of this stupid storm. Got the wings together with the 20mm gun barrels, painted most of the interior and have started detailing the cockpit.

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As promised here are a couple pics of my progress. Basic painting of the cockpit's been done. Now I need to go in and pick out the details and add switches, levers and stuff. Gun barrels have been installed and are a heck of a lot better and more accurate than the barrels that come with the kit.

And screw it, I'm gonna scratchbuild a new camera.

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Edited by Cobrahistorian
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No major progress to report, but I decided that I am going to build it with the kit decals. I just got into the 111th TRS documents at the National Archives today and was able to cross reference several different documents to figure out who flew P-51-1-NA 41-37365 and when. I've got two missions where tail numbers AND pilots are listed and have confirmed that 365 flew on recon missions on 7 and 8 July 1943.

Should have more later.

Jon

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Ok, fuselage is together and mated with the wing and cowling. I wanted to drop the forward ramp of the radiator intake, since Allison-engined Mustangs at rest tend to have them droop. Of course, it was considerably more difficult than just cutting out the ramp part and dropping it. The entire intake has to be reworked, because the shape is incorrect. It's much more a P-51B shape than an F-6A. So, I cut the ramp out, shaved down the sides of the intake and have now used soda can aluminum to make the sides of the ramp and the intake mouth. Gonna let it dry overnight and then I'll shape the outer edges with some epoxy putty. I also used aluminum on the sides of the radiator exhaust ramp. I'm pretty happy with how both are coming out.

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I figured I'd just do this one as a quick build

I hear ya!...I enjoyed the Tami P-51 I built for the GB so much I decided to do another thinking this one would just be for fun and OOB...Riiiiight!...I ended up getting the Eduard zoom cockpit p/e...scratchbuilt correct P-51D wheelbays...brakelines for her legs... added plumbing to the droptanks and she will be sporting some custom decals...OOB it isn't but tons-O-fun!

Dave :wave:

Edited by Dave Hill
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I got a bit more done on her yesterday, but I'm at the National Archives right now so I can't post pics. I faired in the sides of the intake ramp with epoxy putty and it looks pretty good. Cleaned up and polished most of the seams, although that wing-fuselage joint at the front is giving me fits. It isn't terrible, but just isn't 100%.

I think next I'm gonna add brake lines and some visible hydraulic lines in the gear bay. Been working from this photo (it's HUGE!) and have picked out tons of little details like the lack of ID lights under the left wing (molded into the kit), the hydraulic lines in the gear bay, the intake and the gun camera (there's no door scribed in the kit).

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/63/P-51_%28mustang%29.jpg

Jon

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...Been working from this photo (it's HUGE!) and have picked out tons of little details like the lack of ID lights under the left wing (molded into the kit

Jon

The ID lights (recognition lights) on these models were on the radiator housing if USAAC and not if on RAF P-51

Source to check on is: re Colin Ford's response

HTH

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The ID lights (recognition lights) on these models were on the radiator housing if USAAC and not if on RAF P-51

Source to check on is: re Colin Ford's response

HTH

Steve,

Thanks for the reminder on that! I forgot they were located under the radiator scoop.

I've cleaned up and filled a bunch of seams and everything is looking pretty good. I'm hoping to get back to it when I get home next week!

Jon

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What kind of tubing did you use for the gun barrels and what size? They look fantastic :woot.gif:

Dirk,

Thanks man! I snagged em from two defunct Trimaster Fw190D models that are on my scrap pile now. Moving casualties. I figured their cannons would be better served elsewhere. I'll rebuild them someday, but now my Mustang's got some nice shooters!

I'll have an update on Saturday. Been out of town and haven't really done much on the bird for a while.

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  • 1 month later...

Finally got some primer, so I shot the first coat on it last night. Hoping to get it painted this week and start decaling after that. Just picked up another Tamiya D model too, so I think I'm going to build it as Major John Gfeller's bird when he commanded the 307th FS, 31st FG.

Jon

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  • 1 month later...
  • 1 month later...

I'm alive! Just hadn't been working on this Mustang too much. Both this and my P-51D-5 are still underway and I'm making progress on both. The F-6A needs wing stripes, seat detail, wiring for the camera, wheels and weathering and she'll be done. The D is in the process of having its undercoat sanded and polished, so I should be spraying natural metal soon. Here's the pics of the F-6 as it stands now:

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Jon

First off congrats on doing your 20 I have 3 to go, I hope you get some relaxation. I have some questions fo you. How do you get a Color stripe in the middle of a P-51 spinner I cannot do it to save my life. Second what size brass are u using for your barrels. And lastly do you have a method of how you do a multiple kit build like your 47's I am going to be doing a 8th AF Fighter group builds for my self but im doing a Dio of 4 stangs though for a IPMS regional in june. anyway hope you are doing good, and im following you your F6 closely.

Thunder

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Hey TG,

Nah, I didn't do 20, I was on the 8 and out plan. Happy to be done with it, although I'll miss the flying.

I've always used thin red plastic masking tape. It's like electrical tape, so it stretches around curves, and it's about 1/4" wide. My spinner stripes (recently I've stuck to single color spinners!) had always been eyeballed to see if they were right. It's been a long time since I've actually done one!

As far as doing multiple builds at the same time, I usually focus on one until I get to a stopping point (priming, painting, etc) and then shift to the next one to bring it up to that point. Once they're all at that point, I spray everything at once and move from there. It works with similar and dissimilar builds. I just sprayed an A-26B, PV-1 and P-40E interior green last night.

Jon

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WoW I thought you we in longer. Cool Thanks for the help im trying to replicate the Nose in my Banner. I am doing my second mustang build over in Escorts GB "Beefsteak 3". Look for my Dio to start soon! Titled "The Heathens"..

Eugene

Edited by ThunderGrunt
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  • 2 weeks later...

Just got a pair of Ultracast wheels for it. Coming down to the final lap here. Wing and tail ID stripes are painted, decals are on. I need to install the seat and head armor, wire the camera, paint the tailwheel and the main struts, put the wheels on, weather it and dull coat it and she'll be done!

Then it's on to finishing my P-51D-5!

Jon

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