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2X 1/48 Tamiya P-51D


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I have many NMF projects on my To Do list and with all the new paints coming out it seems like a good time to get started! But, which paints to use? 

After a stop at my LHS, I picked up both AK Interactive's new Extreme Metal as well as Vallejos Metal Color sets to try out.

The plan is two identical mustangs. Both are the standard issue tamiya kits, both primed and base coated with tamiya x-1 gloss black using their lacquer thinner. 

I plan to build both as 362nd Fighter Squadron subjects so the only real difference will be the paint. 

Both kits have been cleaned up and washed and are now drying. I'll post pics once they dry and I get started.

 

cheers,

Mike

Edited by longmc
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I've built three Tamiya 32nd scale P-51D Mustangs and used Alcad II on all three over a gloss black base (Either tamiya Gloss Black or Alclad Black base, which I had no luck with). Since then, I started using AK Extreme Metals over Mr Color Gloss Black as the finish for a Tamiya P-47D Bubble Jug and any other applications needing either chrome (oleo's) or a NMF area.

I much prefer the AK Metals as they seem to lay down better and are more durable when masking.

Of course, the standard P-51 question: The Wings; rivets or no rivets and aluminum lacquer paint? Just seems on every build the questions always come up.

Looking forward to following your Mustang builds

Peter

 

Edited by Peterpools
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Peter,

I've used Alclad in the past, but not a fan. Too thin (takes too many coats), too expensive, and too fragile. I used to use SNJ and loved it, so of course they stopped making it. 

As for rivets and panel lines - undecided. I started building an Airfix mustang, but it's fighting me the whole way so will most likely NOT be a NMF. The gun inserts were such a bad fit, and needing lots of putty and sanding so I decided to go ahead and try filling the panel lines. I'll see how it turns out and decide from there.

I'm going to use tamiya rattle can aluminum for one of the wings and probably vallejo dull aluminum for the other. 

Mike

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Hi Mike

Got ya and completely agree on Alclad; it's delicate. AK is a lot more durable and really holds up well to masking and  washes. The whole rivet/painted wing discussion use to drive me nuts and now,  I'm just ready with the filler to do what is needed.

I found the best rattle can for the painted wings: Try Tamiya TS17 ; it's pretty close. if you want, I can post a few photos.

Peter

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I picked up some of the AK Xtreme metals to try a few months back, and have not used anything since.  It goes down well over either Tamiya gloss black or the AK black primer.  It's super durable afterwards and can be shot directly out of the bottle without thinning.   If you shoot it at 15 - 20 psi, it seems to lay down better than shooting it at low pressures.  I believe the metal particulate size is smaller, so the finish won't be as grainy as other metal paints.  Surface prep is still essential though, as it will not hide scratches.

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Here is the line up.

http://28949613107_767402884b_z.jpgLine up by Mike Long, on Flickr

I'll try to use all vallejo inside and out on one and all AK interactive on the other to include Vallejo metal varnish and I just ordered their Gauzy agent shine enhancer as a sealer as well. 

 

All the main interior painting on the vallejo is complete, but I had to order a bottle of AK interior yellow to do the wheel wells. 

http://28949613347_865a0cf732_z.jpgVallejo base by Mike Long, on Flickr

I sprayed the intake scoops and exhausts with their respective metals and am pleasantly surprised by both. I sprayed them both over primed plastic and bare, and they both held up very well.

 

I am leaning more towards the AK extreme as it looks like actual metal!

http://43838118782_aede8234c1_z.jpgAK base by Mike Long, on Flickr

 

 

Edited by longmc
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HI Mike

Tamiya Mustang .. Alclad Finish over Tamiya gloss black

 

cM878Q.jpg

 

Tamiya 48th scale Jug: AK NMF over Tamiya Gloss Black and the shine toned down a bit more then my usual finishes.

 

x1G5Hj.jpg

 

Peter

Edited by Peterpools
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1 hour ago, Slartibartfast said:

Usually, only the spar was YZC on early D models. Later, even they weren't primed, everything was NMF.

Copy all! 

I can't find anything definitive one when it changed. The best I've found was a couple of restorations where they took detailed notes of the underlying paint of every part as they removed it, and then put it back together the same. 

Here's what I've got so far. Still needs a wash. 

http://43893961111_8f14d69616_z.jpggear well vallejo by Mike Long, on Flickr

 

I base coated it in YZC, then hand painted the duraluminum. The beauty of the vallejo metals are they hand paint wonderfully! 

Edited by longmc
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I got some more work done on them this weekend. 

Here is the gear bay of the Vallejo Mustang all painted and glued together. It may not be completely accurate for a late war P-51D-20, but I do like the contrast in color.

 

http://43956799242_fab01feea0_k.jpgfullsizeoutput_15a by Mike Long, on Flickr

 

http://30136748068_6e6ea05127_k.jpgfullsizeoutput_159 by Mike Long, on Flickr

 

I also got the cockpit and seat painted and installed. I added a true details seat to both. 

http://42196178140_55848efbc8_k.jpgfullsizeoutput_15f by Mike Long, on Flickr

 

http://42196177730_eee8c42406_k.jpgfullsizeoutput_160 by Mike Long, on Flickr

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AK's YZC paint arrived so I was able to finish up the Xtreme metal Mustangs gear bay as well. For this one, I only painted the main spar YZC and left the rest of the bay aluminum.

http://43956794152_a8f7632eaf_z.jpgfullsizeoutput_15d by Mike Long, on Flickr

 

http://43956796232_b3ffc6dd60_k.jpgfullsizeoutput_15c by Mike Long, on Flickr

 

The Xtreme metal paint works very well. I did the plastic spoon test on the colors I have so far, and they all turned out extremely (Xtremely ?!?) well.

I'm really looking forward to using these on the kit. 

 

In addition, I've decided to expand the build comparison a little further, and want to also compare the various front-runner mustang kits that are currently available in 1/48.

My son watches a youtube show called Worth It, where they compare 3 like items at different price points. In the end, they decide which is the best bang for the buck.

I thought this would be a good thing to do with the various Mustangs. 

The Airfix is probably the cheapest for me to get (about $24 shipped). The Tamiya is very close at around $25-35 shipped depending on the boxing. The Meng is about $35-$45 shipped. 

My main concerns are cost and availability, detail, and ease of build. So, stay tuned for those to come. 

 

thanks for watching! 

Mike

 

Edited by longmc
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I have the Tamiya kits but I'm leaning more the Meng kit when I get another Mustang, I'm not completely sold on the Airfix kit,the Meng kit seems to have the details nicely done. I still have a half completed Tamiya kit in the box,I may finish it just to experiment on the NMF painting, I have the Alclad paints but haven't used them yet,your builds seem to have me leaning towards the AK paints now.

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On 8/8/2018 at 6:21 AM, Peterpools said:

Mike looking really good and need to try the Vallejo Metals. Would be nice to have a good set of hand/brush paintable meyallics in the arsenal. 

Keep ‘em comin

Peter :thumbsup:

Thanks Peter! They are definitely a good to for small paint items. 

 

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On 8/14/2018 at 9:20 PM, ThePhantomTwo said:

I have the Tamiya kits but I'm leaning more the Meng kit when I get another Mustang, I'm not completely sold on the Airfix kit,the Meng kit seems to have the details nicely done. I still have a half completed Tamiya kit in the box,I may finish it just to experiment on the NMF painting, I have the Alclad paints but haven't used them yet,your builds seem to have me leaning towards the AK paints now.

Hey Cookie! How have you been? I hope all is well with you guys!

You really can't beat the tamiya for ease of build and looks great when finished. The Meng kit is a true beauty, just costs a lot more. If you can paint the NMF parts before putting it all together would definitely make it worth it. 

Yea, I'm not completely sold on the airfix yet. Very soft plastic and lots of sink marks in the plastic. I painted all the control surfaces with Alclad and the flaps plastic is very "wavy ". My local hobby lobby now carries them and the P-40 for about $18, so that may change my mind!! 

I'm on the road for work the next 3 weeks, so nothing to post for a while. 

 

 

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