JimmyZ Posted November 17, 2015 Share Posted November 17, 2015 I've just finished my latest model of a P-51D of the 359th FG. I have seen hardly any 1/72 (or any scale for that matter) depictions of Ray S. Wetmore's "Daddy's Girl" Mustang, depite being the aircraft of the leading ace of the 359th FG, as well as one of the highest scoring American aces in Europe! It also wears some pleasing colours on the nose and rudder. This is the best picture I have of the subject, and I found 3 more b&w pictures, as well as a WWII colour photo of the plane before bearing the "Daddy's Girl" writing. To build the model I have used the new tool Airfix kit, with decals from the old tool P-51D Daddy's Girl Mustang starter set. I've used the cockpit, seatbelts and part of the landing gear suspension mechanism of a Smer P-51 kit and then I scratch built the rear view mirror. So...not really an OOB build. I've appropriately filled the panel lines on the upper and lower surfaces of the main wings, which I think gives it a more realistic look, although the other panel lines are very deep, as I am sure many a modeller have complained about before me. Another thing about the Airfix new tool kit that is pretty annoying is the aerial mast. It's not clean at all and covered in flash and very flimsy. I broke one in the process of seperating it from the sprue. I had a spare, but this one also broke - even though I was super careful - when I slipped while sanding it smooth. I ended up using the mast from the old tool Airfix kit. Although I don't think this plane was ever very dirty (maybe after a sortie, but kept pretty clean otherwise), I have made use of dry pastels, oils and dry brushing to emulate a plane that isn't super clean. Initially I thought I overdid it, but I think the end result is acceptable. Something I only realised when I was almost finished is the kill markings decal for the port side of the canopy is marked with crosses, and not swastikas like the real subject! I really hope this does not detract too much off the end result... Anyway, enough talk. Please look at the pictures below, and I hope you can enjoy it. Cheers J 26 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalkeEins Posted November 17, 2015 Share Posted November 17, 2015 very nice build and finish! a little distraction for me, perhaps the main gear could have been angled forward a touch - as per your B&W photo. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spitfire31 Posted November 17, 2015 Share Posted November 17, 2015 Very neat Mustang! I especially appreciate the puttied and painted wings – all too often you see P-51 wing panel lines enthusiastically but misguidedly filled with black wash. ;-) Have to agree with FalkeEins' remarks about the stance of the machine, though. Great job! Kind regards, Joachim 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seahawk Posted November 17, 2015 Share Posted November 17, 2015 Lovely job. Airfix have come a long way since but to my mind the P-51D was one of the first kits where they really hit their stride. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimmyZ Posted November 17, 2015 Author Share Posted November 17, 2015 very nice build and finish! a little distraction for me, perhaps the main gear could have been angled forward a touch - as per your B&W photo. Thanks FalkeEins, one of a number of "little mistakes" on this build. Unfortunately by the time I noticed it the glue had already dried, and I'm scared they will break if I force them now forward now. So I guess I'll just chalk it up this time and make sure I get everything right next time. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted November 17, 2015 Share Posted November 17, 2015 Beautiful build and finish,not seen this scheme before makes a refreshing change 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArmouredSprue Posted November 17, 2015 Share Posted November 17, 2015 Nice build indeed! I just finished one myself and these Airfix new tooling are a breeze to build. Cheers 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vlad Posted November 17, 2015 Share Posted November 17, 2015 Lovely build. I've been trying out some of the new Airfix offerings and they seem nice, you might have just inspired me to get one of these! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcdonnell Posted November 17, 2015 Share Posted November 17, 2015 Hello,JimmyZ - My compliments to you on a fine looking build of your 'Mustang'.I love the quality and detail of the paint and finishing work.Your chosen scheme and display make a splendid tribute indeed.All the best,Paul. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimmyZ Posted November 18, 2015 Author Share Posted November 18, 2015 Hello,JimmyZ - My compliments to you on a fine looking build of your 'Mustang'.I love the quality and detail of the paint and finishing work.Your chosen scheme and display make a splendid tribute indeed.All the best,Paul. Thank you kind Sir! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fuad Posted November 18, 2015 Share Posted November 18, 2015 I see - days of "Mustangs" on britmodeller continues! It is gorgeous! Therefore, they are called "The flying Cadillacs"))). With all due respect to the Airfix - still I believe that the Mustang from Tamiya made more clearly. Anyway, Tamiya not makes such deep panel lines. As for your model, it seems to me, that the picture of the cockpit a bit dissonant with the generally high level of performance. Perhaps - was to blame the camera flash. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob85 Posted November 18, 2015 Share Posted November 18, 2015 Really nice rendition, and another whom has not seen the scheme! Very attractive, with cracking colours. Nice work Rob 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bedders Posted November 18, 2015 Share Posted November 18, 2015 Really good-looking P-51, and the green nose/light blue rudder is a pretty colour combination. Well done on the wing panel-line filling. I'll follow your example when I get round to doing mine. Justin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimmyZ Posted November 18, 2015 Author Share Posted November 18, 2015 I see - days of "Mustangs" on britmodeller continues! It is gorgeous! Therefore, they are called "The flying Cadillacs"))). With all due respect to the Airfix - still I believe that the Mustang from Tamiya made more clearly. Anyway, Tamiya not makes such deep panel lines. As for your model, it seems to me, that the picture of the cockpit a bit dissonant with the generally high level of performance. Perhaps - was to blame the camera flash. Absolutely. I asure you the cockpit looks much better in life than in the photo I posted I cannot seem to make the up-close photos look good with a cellphone camera. I have not built the Tamiya P-51D yet, can't exactly get my hands on it. I like the Airfix kit (I have a few more in stash), but it does have it's flaws - deep panel lines, an unacceptably dirty aerial mast and I'm not sure if this is correct, but Airfix give a different port and starboard droptank (starboard droptank is mirror of port one). Perhaps someone can confirm if this is correct. I couldn't find any WWII photos showing this, so I ended up using another "port side" droptank I had in spare. The above said, however at the price of the Airfix kit, it's simply superb. Thanks Fuad. I have seen your Mustang you just finished, mine is nowhere near that level! Congrats. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leonl Posted November 18, 2015 Share Posted November 18, 2015 Great looking 'Stang... Thanks for sharing... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhantomBigStu Posted November 18, 2015 Share Posted November 18, 2015 great build, reminds me I've got the same decals in the stash, should have a go myself 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-32 Posted November 18, 2015 Share Posted November 18, 2015 Really like that, looks very cool 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wellsprop Posted November 19, 2015 Share Posted November 19, 2015 Stunning. Ben 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehnz Posted November 20, 2015 Share Posted November 20, 2015 That looks great. I did a similar thing recently, new tool Bf 109E with old tool decals. I was pleased with my results but yours are stunning. You've got me thinking now. Steve. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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