ZitchDog

First completed model Airfix P-51K 1:24 Build thread (short!)

Well I have finally finished it, bit of a rush in the end to get it done in time. Rushed the painting a bit and made a few mistakes but overall I'm happy with the outcome. Especially for my first completed model. The windscreen could have done with a bit of playing with as it's a pretty poor fit and the same with the engine cowlings, but luckily I never intend to have them fitted. Anyway a few pics of it to close this short little thread off.

Finally got 5 minutes to add an update! It's coming together nicely now, I should hopefully finish in time. The kit kit has come together fairly nicely. My skill level isn't quite high enough to do the kit justice I think but I have enjoyed it so far. The kit does have quite a bit of flash in places but cleans up easily enough. Putting the cockpit, engine, tail wheel, radiator intakes and exhausts and av shelf all in one half and then almost allowing the glue to fully set before adding the second half ended up being the most successful however I have ended up with a wonky shelf but it can't really be seen thankfully. Also found the tail wheel doors a bit of a faff and they ended up falling off. Shall fix them in place at the end as I'm not fussed about having the u/c retractable. So onto the wings, they also went together easily enough. Except numpty here didn't bother cutting the fixing holes for the drop tanks out before glueing so it's now going to be a "clean" aircraft. So i am now 90% assembled and ready to get the airbrush out hopefully tomorrow. Sorry for the the lack of photos, been working on it late and keep forgetting but here it is in its current state awaiting filling, neatening and then paint. http://s1274.photobucket.com/user/FishDan/media/IMG_5480_zps78jrsbh7.jpg.html][/URL]

So I best pull my finger out! I started this right at the end of October but between work and everything else had only managed a couple of hours on it until now. So so it's a few firsts for me, first group build, first in this scale (1/24) and hopefully my first fully completed model (had a couple of disasters). Anyway so far so good. I am fairly pleased with the kit although not sure I'd do another in this scale just yet! The larger scale makes my poor skill stand out more! Haha. I am just at the stage of fixing the interior into the fuselage halves. I am building oob but have added in a pe seatbelt set as without the pilot the kit is quite lacking in detail in the seat and so thought these would spruce it up a little. A few few pics of my progress so far (apologies for the tape I shall get some better once everything has set)

Do you airbrush with it? If so do you thin it first? Thanks Dan

Any word on when this kit is due to be ready?

Well I received a new bottle of Matt varnish from Humbrol following my complaint. They also hinted at replacing a model had it been one of theirs. I won't be risking using the new bottle as I now have W&N varnishes which I am hoping to try out next week. So I now have 2 bottles of Matt and 1 gloss free to anyone that wants it (if they think they can get on with it! Lol)

I received a few emails from Humbrol today, explaining their system has changed and some of their emails have gotten lost, Also had this email explaining the conditions for application and a surprising friendly response. Can't seem to copy and paste the reply though.

Cheers guys. I ended up binning the model but have already started on the next one which will hopefully workout better. Practice makes perfect and all that.

Well unfortunately this model has been put to rest. Far too many mistakes and problems with the varnish coats. I have now started a Bf109 to use to practice my techniques on and to try out some new varnishes, i wont be doing another wip thread for it as i may end up wasting any readers time again!

Well I have a bottle of clear and Matt that you are welcome to for nowt if you want them!

Very true, just bought myself a cheap 109 to start, going to try the Windsor and Newton although nearly picked up some tamiya clear and flat at the same time.

Yea i think id end up going down the same route, its just shocking that they obviously have so many complaints about this item and yet do nothing about it, one for trading standards i think.

Ended up un-even and with white patches. Managed to remove, re-paint and try a second time and had the same result but worse. Again removed but damaged the plastic in the process. it does seem to be a common problem with their product which has given me a little confidence. Yea going to give something else a go next time, just need to find the motivation to start again!

Yea i should have kept it, but the sight of it offended my eyes! lol. Thinking of popping out buying a cheap one as you say. Thinking along the lines of the airfix bf109 as im pretty sure the store around the corner has them in stock. Another part of me just cant be bothered right now also though.