xmh53wrench Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 (edited) Edit: My original intent for this kit was a 334FS bird "Jan", but I have switched gears and the "Jan" build will move over to a really neat Hobby Craft 1/24th kit that I have procured (I will start its own build thread eventually). So I am in a dilema as to the nature of this planes overall look. I am leaning towards a possible RAF scheme, but it is actually a "never was" scheme that I found on the net, RAF Dk. Green over Med Sea Grey. We will see. Here is the kit....its the newer version and has all 3 props, and both canopies... And here is where I am so far... And as promised here is some of the references I will be using.... Granted its written towards the RAF, I making the assumption that using a bit of logic some of it can be applied to the P-51s of USAAF. Edited December 25, 2012 by xmh53wrench Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tourist Posted July 2, 2012 Share Posted July 2, 2012 Nice start, I will be following this build. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
xmh53wrench Posted July 2, 2012 Author Share Posted July 2, 2012 (edited) Update: a dry fitting of things, leaves alot to be desired in the wing/fillet/dihedral areas, so I will be adding with some sheet styrene, the wing main spar to correct the dihedral, and fix up the wheel wells and gun bays as well. spray bombed a bunch of flat black parts, and did the initial assembly of the engine. Also in the process of repairing some horrible sink marks in the cuffs, and painted the spinner. Spinner is painted for the original "Jan" build, it may end up changing. Edited December 25, 2012 by xmh53wrench Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MIG Mikkel Posted July 2, 2012 Share Posted July 2, 2012 Looks awesome!! props? do it have the uncuffed? (what ever they are called :) Cheers, Mikkel Quote Link to post Share on other sites
xmh53wrench Posted July 2, 2012 Author Share Posted July 2, 2012 Mikkel, YES it does, both types of uncuffed props, Hamilton Standard and Aero-products (I believe those were the manufacturers, I don't have my notes...). I also read the cuffs were installed to help force air into the chin scoop during high altitude operations.....what I read anyway. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MIG Mikkel Posted July 2, 2012 Share Posted July 2, 2012 Hmmm I must have those uncuffed ones Do you think they'll fit on a Tamiya kit? a dominican would be quite cool!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
xmh53wrench Posted July 2, 2012 Author Share Posted July 2, 2012 This kit is 1/24 scale, but you might be able to file and sand your prop to correct shape. I have done that before with decent results....see my Mantz Racer thread. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
xmh53wrench Posted July 3, 2012 Author Share Posted July 3, 2012 Thanks for looking in "tourist" and Mikkel Well so far tonight..... I wanted to have a Warren McArthur seat in this build as IMO would be a bit more probable, but in the kit was a "sort of" Schick-Johnson...soooo..... Before: During: After: I have a bit of work to do on the floor boards yet, I did paint the seat "Dull Dark Green" aka Dk. Euro Green 34092 per the ref. material above and what I have read around the net as that FS# being the closest match, and of course the obligatory "masking tape" seat belts . Also still tinkering away on the engine accessories. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MIG Mikkel Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 Do'h! better read things first :) I hope to find a P-51K cheap :D can't have to many Mustangs!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
xmh53wrench Posted July 4, 2012 Author Share Posted July 4, 2012 :D can't have to many Mustangs!!! No you cant!!! I agree completely... Finished up the prop and basic engine tonight :D Quote Link to post Share on other sites
xmh53wrench Posted July 5, 2012 Author Share Posted July 5, 2012 Well a bit done tonight. The instrument panel actually looks better than it photographed, IMO, I am going to try a few more times to get a better picture. Here is a pic of an actual -5NA IP, and what comes in the kit. From what I gather this IP was short lived in the -5 series, and may have been left overs from the B/C models. And here is my instrument panel as well as a quick shot of a few other bits... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HOLMES Posted July 5, 2012 Share Posted July 5, 2012 Louie, missed this somehow... WOW!! This is going to be quite an EXCEPTIONAL build and love the work so far.. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. MUSTANGS ARE GO!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
xmh53wrench Posted July 6, 2012 Author Share Posted July 6, 2012 Thank you very much HOLMES!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
xmh53wrench Posted July 10, 2012 Author Share Posted July 10, 2012 (edited) Tiny update, not much done as I want to scratch build some of the structure in the tail gear well, and I am thinking there is something missing the the belly scoop exhaust area (a panel that goes from the top of the radiator aft to the aft end of the opening) so looking for "good" pics of those areas. And also getting together a game plan for the main spar and wheel well areas. Also at this point, I would gladly take some constructive criticism on anything that is worth changing at this point. Not sure on that color of the head rest for starters. Edited July 10, 2012 by xmh53wrench Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MIG Mikkel Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 I don't think you'll need to change anything!!! But a wash would really do great :) You should do a Latin American Stang once :D Cheers, Mikkel Quote Link to post Share on other sites
xmh53wrench Posted July 11, 2012 Author Share Posted July 11, 2012 I don't think you'll need to change anything!!! But a wash would really do great :) You should do a Latin American Stang once :D Cheers, Mikkel LOL, thanks Mikkel. I have no idea how to do a wash, I have yet to venture into that area of modeling...but hope to at some point. And as far as a Latin American Stang, ABSOLUTELY!!!! Your Camo'd Bolivian "D" Bolivian P-51D Link is amazing, and would be a great addition to my growing collection. On a similar note, I to plan on procuring a 1/32 P-47 and doll up in the colors of El Esquadron 201 of Mexico, in honor of my Mexican heritage. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MIG Mikkel Posted July 11, 2012 Share Posted July 11, 2012 LOL, thanks Mikkel. I have no idea how to do a wash, I have yet to venture into that area of modeling...but hope to at some point. And as far as a Latin American Stang, ABSOLUTELY!!!! Your Camo'd Bolivian "D" Bolivian P-51D Link is amazing, and would be a great addition to my growing collection. On a similar note, I to plan on procuring a 1/32 P-47 and doll up in the colors of El Esquadron 201 of Mexico, in honor of my Mexican heritage. Really? wash is super easy!! just get some waterbased paint (black/brown is a good start) thin it with windex/future or water, and brush it on your model :) I'm very happy that you like my Bolivian Stang :) but I want to see yours :D The P-47 looks very special, do it!!! Regards, Mikkel Quote Link to post Share on other sites
xmh53wrench Posted August 6, 2012 Author Share Posted August 6, 2012 Well its been a while since an update and some progress. I had spent some time spraying a test panel with various enamels and alclad lacquers in preparation for this builds NMF and my first try at that. And some research regarding the tail landing gear well and radiator exhaust ducting. So with a bit of knowledge, a bit of ambition, a bit of plasticard, and a bit of blind luck, I tore into some scratch building on this Mustang. My test panel... My attempt at dolling up the radiator exhaust and tali gear well... Oh, and the beginning of adding a main spar to the wings to get the dihedral closer, and as the foundation to do some scratch building in the main gear wells and gun bays. And I have taken a liking to this technique for wing assembly, attaching the upper wing halves to the fuselage then after fuselage assembly attaching the lower halves... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HOLMES Posted August 6, 2012 Share Posted August 6, 2012 Most IMPRESSIVE work so far, xmh53wrench Quote Link to post Share on other sites
necron99 Posted August 6, 2012 Share Posted August 6, 2012 Well today's accomplishments, not a whole lot, seems everytime I turn around I have to research something. This is a side profile of 413956 But through my research I have, IMO, figured out that since Lt. Dickmeyer lost this AC sometime in his assignment with the 334th, that this profile "may" be a bit incorrect, for "my" build. I am taking the liberty of adding D-Day stripes, so in light of that and ALL the photos I have seen of the AC in this squadron with D-Day stripes still on them, they in fact have only a red spinner and small band on nose cowling. They also have a black horizontal stripe on the tail and rudder, as the red rudders were not ordered until 27OCT44. I am also going to take the liberty of removing the dorsal fin from my build as this was a -5NA, and may not have been modified straight away after that order of 15JUN44. I think I will also insure his name and 1 kill marking are on the side of this build....I hope to find out more during this process, that will either back me up, or insure I can make the necessary corrections as I go. And for my progress....a few pics.... a dry fitting of things, leaves alot to be desired in the wing/fillet/dihedral areas, so I will be adding with some sheet styrene, the wing main spar to correct the dihedral, and fix up the wheel wells and gun bays as well. spray bombed a bunch of flat black parts, and did the initial assembly of the engine. Also in the process of repairing some horrible sink marks in the cuffs, and painted the spinner. The more I research and work on this, I am figuring out this will probably not be a battle worn aircraft, so I have to keep the weathering and distressing of it in check. I am figuring, for "my" build it was only in theater for about 2-3 months... Hi. Don't fret about the wingroot gaps. From what I can see here if you pull the wings up to get the proper dihedral, it looks like the gap will disappear. Great start, keep it up ! Allan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
xmh53wrench Posted August 7, 2012 Author Share Posted August 7, 2012 Thanks again HOLMES, and Allan. By using the technique I am, any gaps at the wing root are eliminated. I good dry run is required though in hopes that doing it this way all the gun barrel ports still line up....they did in this case. Thanks Kev, Well its all closed up...(chock up a few more grey hairs to this particular portion of the build)...I have left the engine area loose as I am going to be working on the main landing gear wells and figure the engine would be in the way. A few cockpit views... And a view of the tail and belly scoop exhaust area. I am still on the fence regarding lowering the flaps, but at any rate that huge gap has to be fixed, as the flap gets tucked under the wing root fairing.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
xmh53wrench Posted August 7, 2012 Author Share Posted August 7, 2012 Oh, and this is what I have to start with for the wheel wells... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
xmh53wrench Posted August 11, 2012 Author Share Posted August 11, 2012 Bit of work done on the wheel wells... And dry fitting the engine Quote Link to post Share on other sites
xmh53wrench Posted August 15, 2012 Author Share Posted August 15, 2012 Engine is ready to go in... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
xmh53wrench Posted October 24, 2012 Author Share Posted October 24, 2012 (edited) Well its been a lonnnnngggggg time since I updated this thread. I kinda set this aside, then I got busy at work, but a few weeks ago I spent a Sunday doing some work in the wheel well areas. Here is my sketch of the bulkheads/formers and the pieces I had to make. And a few in progress pics... Thanks for looking in, hope to accomplish a bit more in the next week or two. I have no intention of getting real carried away with wires, lines, ect., but will add some so the wells dont look so bare. Oh, and note the absence of flaps. I will display this one parked, flaps, elevators and clam shell doors down. Edited October 24, 2012 by xmh53wrench Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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