1/32 Mustang III, Ancient Revell; Rivets Anyone?

[georgeusa]

This is the Revell 1/32/P-51B/Mustang III kit originally tooled around 1969. The version I had was a reboxing with new decals for a Mustang III in 2006. The detail of the kit is sparse and the design reflects the current favorite trend at the time it was made; that being raised rivets. In 1969 this was a groovy edition to any kit and showed it was funkadelic “state of the art”. How times have changed. The texture of the plastic with the raised rivets is such that it could be used as a rasp. They are really nicely done; too bad most Mustangs had smooth skins. This is one of my kits that was on the shelf of doom. I am determined to eliminate my shelf of doom within the next 6 months; a daunting task if you knew how extensive the doom shelf is. I think the reason for this acquiring the status of a shelf of doom kit was I started it in 2009 maybe, got involved in some different kits, the new Trumpeter 1/32 kit came out, then the 1/32 Tamiya kit came out and then the 1/32 ZM kit came out. It just got forgotten. When I stopped, the interior had been started, but that is about it. For the WIP thread look here http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234969321-p-51b-mustang-iii;-finished/. I briefly considered sanding the entire surface down, rescribing the lines and try to bring it up to the level of the Tamiya kit. Or, I could just finish the Tamiya kit that is also in the shelf of doom!! So, this kit was then done to honor and reflect the way kits used to be made. At the time of its issue in 1969, it was state of the art. Sometimes you have to have a kit showing what the hobby used to be like so you can appreciate what it is today. For the most part this is an OOB build. I did break down and redo the machine guns and installed Eduard seat belts. Other than that this is the kit in all of its glory. I also stole the decals out of the Trumpeter kit as they reflected the same plane as in this kit and were better. So, the main plane specific decals are Trumpeter and the stencils and national markings are Revell. Fit was not so good in places, especially where the canopy meets (or really doesn’t meet) the fuselage. Nothing fit in that regards. Anyway, another kit leaves the shelf of doom; Yeaaaa!

[georgeusa]

Maybe I should post the pictures . . . (what a dunce!)

I posted the box art as I thought it was amusing for two reasons. The first, the box art portrays the plane with smooth skin while the insides are anything but smooth. Nice paradox. The second, you wonder what the artist was thinking when he did this picture. Usually the kit being featured is portrayed as the aggressor and the hero of the painting. In this box art, it looks like an FW 190 is about to rack up two scores as he bounces the Mustang IIIs because it looks like they have no clue he is on their tail. The lead plane especially is clueless, the pilot is looking straight ahead; that is for the next 2 seconds when he will have to react as the cannon shells will be raining on his parade by then!!

[Val]

Very cool mustang

[stevej60]

Great job on a kit that,s nearly as old as the aircraft itself!