Mike C Posted September 25, 2011 Share Posted September 25, 2011 (edited) Alrighty... This is my first foray into prop-driven plane. Since I started modelling about 3 years ago, I promised myself to only build "modern" fighter jets. But, I've always had a soft spot for "D" Mustangs and Corsairs. After resisting for almost all of the 3 years, I finally gave in one day when browsing through my LHS, and picked up this little beauty from Academy. I'm not sure what the quality is like with this kit, but I thought I'd take my chance. It was fairly cheap (by Aust standard anyway), so I figured if it was a "lemon", wouldn't be a big loss to simply toss it... Also, I'm not sure if I can finish this before the end of the GB, since things are pretty hectic with my job (lots of travel, domestic and International), and also I'm starting my own GB (I hope) in December. When I opened up the box tonight, the parts looked pretty decent, with lots of rivets molded on. What surprised me was that it also came with RAAF markings, which was not stated at all on the box. Nice surprise! This opened up some more possibilities. I think I might do an RAAF bird. I will take some liberties in the colour scheme though. For starters, the tri-colour of red-white-blue on prop spinner called for "Oxford Blue", but instead I'll use whatever blue I have in my stash that I feel like using (Phthalocyanine Blue, blue-black concoction that I mixed up for my what-if US Navy F-15 in the past, Tamiya Sky Blue, or even Blue Angels Blue, not sure yet). Also, I'm thinking of painting the rudder and the anti-glare surface with the same blue as the prop spinner, to make the bird looks more colourful and interesting. Or I might even paint the rudder with red, yellow, or orange? As far as the overall fuselage, I will be spraying it with Tamiya AS-12 spray can (Bare Metal Silver), which I have had in my stash since I first started almost 3 years ago! When I first bought this kit, I was thinking of building it in-flight. But... I changed my mind because: 1) I'm too lazy to emulate/simulate spinning prop, 2) don't want to buy AM part (the prop blur thing), and 3) I don't have WW II pilot figure (and can't be bothered finding one!). Anyway... I'd better make a start on building this rather than rambling.... :lol: Edited September 25, 2011 by Mike C Quote Link to post Share on other sites
theplasticsurgeon Posted September 25, 2011 Share Posted September 25, 2011 (edited) Count the exhaust stubs on the plastic please. Academy did a P-51 with a 14 cylinder Merlin - and that's what your boxart shows. Best of luck with the build. Edited September 25, 2011 by theplasticsurgeon Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Prop Duster Posted September 26, 2011 Share Posted September 26, 2011 If you want to get into outrages color schemes take a look at racing mustangs 'course you would have to do body mods but you could have a hi ol' time with color Regardless, keep us updated on your progress, as noisy inquiring minds want to know :lol: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mike C Posted October 2, 2011 Author Share Posted October 2, 2011 OK... I finally managed to get some bench time for this little bird. Put together the cockpit and such. First, I sprayed the cockpit area (including side walls) with LifeColor matt black, then when that dried, I sprayed my own concoction of green. I was too lazy to get the "right" shade of green, so I mixed LifeColor Air Superiority Blue with LifeColor Yellow FS13591 until I get the shade that I'm happy with. Is it accurate? Hell no! Thanks for looking! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mike C Posted October 8, 2011 Author Share Posted October 8, 2011 Did a bit more work on the 'Stang... It's coming together quite quickly, as I expected really. I decided to apply some heavy pre-shading on some of the panels, hoping that it'll show through after spraying the bird with Tamiya AS-12 rattle can, to give me darker shade of silver on those panels. If not... well, I'll just have to mix up my own darker silver to spray on those panels. BTW, I'm getting VERY FRUSTRATED by LifeColor's Matt Black. It clogs up my airbrush so freakin' quickly! Thanks for looking! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Big-Red-Bull Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 Looking good so far, as far as your cloging problem, i had the same prob. and switched to vallejo mostly model air, and tamiya paints 50-50 I even thin the model air even though its supposed to be spray ready out of bottle. Tom Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mike C Posted November 7, 2011 Author Share Posted November 7, 2011 Thanks. I've actually gone quite a bit further, but haven't got the chance to take more pics. I'm not liking LifeColor Matt Black because of the clogging. It's really quite strange that their Matt Black is so bad. I use a few other colours from their range, which don't give me that much grief! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mike C Posted January 8, 2012 Author Share Posted January 8, 2012 Apologies for the lack of update. Life got in the way quite a bit lately. I did manage to put in quite a lot of work into this since the last update: - Installed and masked off the canopy and windscreen - Sprayed the whole aircraft with Tamiya AS-12 (Bare Metal Silver) - Randomly airbrushed some panels with Citadel Chainmail and Boltgun Metal - Airbrushed very dark blue (Gunze H322 and Tamiya X18 @ 2:1 ratio) over the top front fuselage - Airbrushed Gunze Insignia Red over the exhaust panel (not the exhaust itself) and the rudder Here's where it's at right now. Next, I'd airbrush gloss clear over the whole aircraft to prep it for decaling and weathering (oil wash). 'Later! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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