Jump to content

1/72 Hobby Boss P-51C Mustang 617sqn


NealParkes

Recommended Posts

Hi everyone,

I have a personal mini sig of my own, I want to build a 1/72 model (apart from the Vulcan which will be 1/144) of every aircraft flown by 617sqn RAF. This build is going to be the start of that personal quest!!

So for the build it will be straight oob part from the decals for which I will be using Xtradecals Dambusters set. It will be depicted as Wing Commander L. Cheshire's North American Mustang III, based a RAF Woodhall Spa in the Summer of 1944.

Here are the box, sprue, instructions and kit decals:

35170659933_0f35a416fe_c.jpgHobby Boss 1/72 P-51C Mustang by Neal, on Flickr

35939405216_d39ff3b188_c.jpgOverview of what is inside. by Neal, on Flickr

35981012815_959aa1c7ee_c.jpgInstructions cover. by Neal, on Flickr

35848369021_5f8d3a6c01_c.jpgA 2 step build, really? by Neal, on Flickr

35170667043_0d51493186_c.jpgUntitled by Neal, on Flickr

35939413036_397bebf2f1_c.jpgDecal sheet. by Neal, on Flickr

35810132902_5af80b29f2_c.jpgSprue inside the box. by Neal, on Flickr

35939409726_03c38de10f_c.jpgFuselage in one part. by Neal, on Flickr

35170664303_95b8a640fd_c.jpgNice detail for an easy assembly kit! by Neal, on Flickr

35939409846_8d47f34080_c.jpgOne piece wing, upper view. by Neal, on Flickr

35170664113_ab050fa9c2_c.jpgOne piece wing, underside. Nice detail in the wheel wells! by Neal, on Flickr

35981016785_b88e38062a_c.jpgSprue A1. by Neal, on Flickr

35939409366_d45280bef2_c.jpgSprue A2. by Neal, on Flickr

35141025394_efeddfeff9_c.jpgLower fuselage cover. by Neal, on Flickr

35170659673_5bf5181fcd_c.jpgMetal shaft for the prop. by Neal, on Flickr

35848372371_eb11d28889_c.jpgSprue D. by Neal, on Flickr

35591862230_52fb6c499f_c.jpgSprue C. by Neal, on Flickr

And now the aftermarket bits:

A really big sheet of decals for only two serial numbers:

35141026364_505aa60104_c.jpgXtradecal X72093 No 617 San Dambusters Decals. by Neal, on Flickr

35170660313_828648152b_c.jpgDecals instructions. by Neal, on Flickr

I took these photos a while ago but hadn't got round to posting them. I have also made a start on the build and will get an update here soonish. I need to do some research about Wg. Cdr Chesire's Mustang as I do not know if it carried external tanks or not, also the radio antenna looks different to the kits.

That is all for now.

  • Like 9
Link to comment
Share on other sites

So here goes on this little Mustang!! 

First of all I must say the surface detail is pretty nice! For an easy assemble kit it doesn't do away with much, yes the cockpit is a bit bare but once all button up and canopy in place I doubt I'll be able to see much anyway!! 

First thing I did was to prime the cockpit:

35939415126_6c31f2b8e6_c.jpgPrimed the cockpit. by Neal, on Flickr

And also the inside of the fuselage:

35939407326_e0e4bc0d0b_c.jpgInside primed. by Neal, on Flickr

I then painted the cockpit, I used MRP-111 RAF Interior Grey-Green which I know is not the right colour as the Mustangs had US Interior Green, but I did not have any and didn't really want to mix any up and more importantly I wanted to give the MRP a go. I then "detail" painted the instrument panel:

35721251970_c0bce65671_c.jpgCockpit painted. by Neal, on Flickr

36069934746_15e667ae86_c.jpgCockpit painted 2. by Neal, on Flickr

I then put a simple recess washing using Citadel Nuln Oil:

35618089003_49970aa96d_c.jpgWash in cockpit. by Neal, on Flickr

I then did some dry fitting on the lower part to the fuselage, I will say that I would not call it an easy fit with this gap!:

36289116871_e59320c736_c.jpgDry fitting. by Neal, on Flickr

Not to be left out the wing root is going to need some work too:

36380503866_321db6d6f4_c.jpgWing root gap. by Neal, on Flickr

I got the two parts lined up as well as I could, then put them in a clamp and some tape befogging gluing it with TET:

36380504296_bdca2831af_c.jpgGlued together. by Neal, on Flickr

I then broke out my favourite solution to gaps, Deluxe Materiels Perfect Plastic Putty, I highly recommend it!:

36289117141_7d7e4aca11_c.jpgPutty fest! by Neal, on Flickr

36425778245_e16e003070_c.jpgA bit tidier. by Neal, on Flickr

I also note a centre line seam that will need sorting out:

36029021160_666dd36c6f_c.jpgCentre line seam. by Neal, on Flickr

I'll end this update here, on the next one I will be sanding out the seam lines and the putty.

Take care everyone.

  • Like 7
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

I've got a bit more work done on this build. 

Firstly I sanded that centre line seam:

36380503526_40ceae24ca_c.jpgSeam sanded. by Neal, on Flickr

I then turned my attention to the underside and did a bit of sanding there:

35618088993_d558a89895_c.jpgMore sanding. by Neal, on Flickr

After giving the perfect plastic putty a few days for shrinkage I sanded the gap around the nose:

36257394922_1a9c2f42a7_c.jpgGap filled. by Neal, on Flickr

And also the wing root gap:

36257393532_13d2c97fe8_c.jpgWing root gap. by Neal, on Flickr

And here she is almost ready for some primer:

36426026675_263baa8782_c.jpgNearly ready for primer. by Neal, on Flickr

I've also dipped the canopy into some Humbrol Clear (I've got to find a way of using it as I don't get on with it for a clear coat!). 

My next steps will be cleaning the plane with some IPA, then mask the canopy, pop that into place and then get on with some priming.

Catch you soon guys.

  • Like 7
Link to comment
Share on other sites

So still plodding along slowly with this build, but now I am getting to the interesting part: Paint! 

Firstly I did a bit of filling on the underside of the wing where the external stores would be attached, I did this as the only in flight photo of Leonard Chesire's Mustang (that I could find) showed that it did not carry anything under the wing.

37600254931_92cb1c3ea0_c.jpgUntitled by Neal, on Flickr

I then sprayed on the primer, I decided to give Stynelryz a go for this build as I got some at the Sutton Coldfield IPMS show at a decent price. Must say I am really impressed with it, just need to wait and see if it goes hard or thickens in the bottle. 

37762625821_97bb3f78ef_c.jpgIMG_1268 by Neal, on Flickr

37762626111_bfa299e213_c.jpgIMG_1269 by Neal, on Flickr

After that had cured I picked out my paints for the camouflage, I will be using a mix of Tamiya and Hr Hobby Aqueous.

37053495764_a336174ce2_c.jpgIMG_1267 by Neal, on Flickr

I sprayed the underside with Mr Hobby Aquaeous H335 Medium Sea Grey and once dry I started to mask up the undersides.

37762626481_bd6898695f_c.jpgIMG_1270 by Neal, on Flickr

37092365333_e212dda913_c.jpgIMG_1271 by Neal, on Flickr

Then this evening I sprayed the first of the two top camo colours, I used Tamiya XF82 Ocean Grey.

37092366053_1f878a0344_c.jpgIMG_1272 by Neal, on Flickr

So this brings you up to speed. Hopefully tomorrow I can can get the Dark Green on to it and then let that dry before removing the masking. Then the next job is to mask off for the invasion strips, I'm a bit nervous about that as never done invasion strips before.

Have a good evening guys and gals!

  • Like 8
Link to comment
Share on other sites

So I got a bit more done on the Mustang.

First of all I sprayed the landing gear with some Tamiya Flat Aluminium:

37071191334_2a4bfa010c_c.jpgIMG_1294 by Neal, on Flickr

Then got masking for the second camo colour Tamiya XF81 RAF Dark Green:

37071176724_8c9ea402a3_c.jpgIMG_1273 by Neal, on Flickr

Then got the bird in the spray booth, it is really difficult to get a good photo as the LED lights are blue (if anyone know if you can change these please let me know):

37071178494_7c85b5d21b_c.jpgIMG_1275 by Neal, on Flickr

And here is the end result, quite happy with it, the colours certainly look right, I've used a little artistic license on the exact camo, but references are not the best anyway:

37731838346_ff907f20fe_c.jpgIMG_1291 by Neal, on Flickr

37522182090_fe7cd98d54_c.jpgIMG_1293 by Neal, on Flickr

Next step is to remove the masking from underneath the wings, mask up the yellow bands on the leading edge of the wing, spray those then mask up for the invasion strips.

Neal

  • Like 15
Link to comment
Share on other sites

18 hours ago, Vinnie said:

Looking good. What is that masking, please?

I use science putty or silly putty, it is pretty much the same thing as Panzer putty but a lot cheaper. You can find it on Amazon or Ebay quite easily. If you do use it take it off asap after praying as it will continue to self level and creep over the paint you have just sprayed.

 

1 hour ago, Ed Russell said:

Invasion stripes suggestion

PS - never seen milk chocolate as masking material before (:>)

Milk chocolate? I don't get it.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 10/19/2017 at 8:12 AM, NealParkes said:



37071176724_8c9ea402a3_c.jpg

 

Milk chocolate? As distinct from dark chocolate? Sorry, the (:>) was in vain

 

You are doing a nice job on the HB Mustang.

It's mentioned in "After the Flood - What the Dambusters did next" which I would imagine you have read.

  • Like 1
  • Haha 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 hours ago, NealParkes said:

I use science putty or silly putty, it is pretty much the same thing as Panzer putty but a lot cheaper. You can find it on Amazon or Ebay quite easily. If you do use it take it off asap after praying as it will continue to self level and creep over the paint you have just sprayed.

 

 

2

Thanks, Neal. I'd not heard of it before. I've been using White Tack. It will be interesting to see if the Science Putty is easier to shape. BTW, I usually do some 'praying' when I take the masking off.:)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

I'm following your build with great interest.  I'm planning on the same plane for my next build and hoping to learn from you.  I've not been able to find anything definitive on what weapons he might have had slung under the wings, though.  I've seen the opinion that he went unarmed and simply gave RT instructions to the Lancs but nobody seems to know for sure.  Other guys have suggested he'd have had incendiary canisters that looked pretty much like regular 250lb HE bombs and still others have mentioned a basket arrangement because the 51 didn't have the appropriate mounts for the RAF weapons.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

So what with the Christmas period and a load of other stuff going including my mad dash to the finish for Tim Hedworth's GB #Brit72 (My 1/72 Arifix Harrier GR.1 build) on I have completely forgotten to update this thread. So lets play catch up a bit. 

 


I had a bit of an issue when removing the black electrical tape I used to mask the underside, I've seen other people use it well but I must not have de-tacked it enough:


26218317679_93bc9d2177_c.jpgHmm not impressed. by Neal, on Flickr

That may have caused me to say a few swear words!

So I masked up the top side using some wide wash tape from Wilkos:

26361010729_4b64d77533_c.jpgUntitled by Neal, on Flickr

38137440001_d221916d89_c.jpgUntitled by Neal, on Flickr

And then resprayed the lower side of the wing, removed the masking from the topside and it was all good! 


I masked the yellow leading edge area and sprayed it:

37866207424_c67ed7aa4e_c.jpgIMG_0301 by Neal, on Flickr

Once that was done I started masking the area for the invasion strips:

24637446918_f76ea8a6f5_c.jpgIMG_0769 by Neal, on Flickr

38509669391_e6595f5a10_c.jpgIMG_0740 by Neal, on Flickr

37622859745_22f1244b02_c.jpgIMG_0768 by Neal, on Flickr

So in the next step I need to spray the white for the invasion strip then mask it for the black strips.

Neal

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Where you are using black tape or masking fluid I usually use clingfilm.  I used low tac masking tape around the edges then anymore masking tape is only stuck to the low tack tape.  I try to minimise sticking any type of tape to painted surfaces.  

 

So to mask the invasion stripes I would edge them round in tape then protect the rest of the paint with cling film.

 

Hope this helps..

Edited by Grey Beema
Link to comment
Share on other sites

13 hours ago, Courageous said:

37866207424_c67ed7aa4e_c.jpg

Neal, what is the liquid mask you're using here?

 

Stuart

Hi Stuart

 

I use copydex as a masking fluid. It had always worked well for me and does not have ammonia in it so ok with clear coats like Klear. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

So after watching Phil's vlog the other day and been given a kick up the backside by it to get the build finished as the end of the GB is fast approaching. Here is the latest update.

So next I sprayed the invasion strips on the wings:

25230827988_9c1fa8c7cb_c.jpgIMG_0833 by Neal, on Flickr

25230829628_9fa81a3c31_c.jpgIMG_0835 by Neal, on Flickr

25230828418_ab8185d5bb_c.jpgIMG_0834 by Neal, on Flickr

So pushing on with this, I've masked up the fuselage ready for the invasion stripes there, for this I used a combination of Tamiya tape, Wilkos Wide Washi tape (very cheap and pretty good stuff) and copydex glue:

38274551015_ee49057034_c.jpgUntitled by Neal, on Flickr

25289546258_6e71e61962_c.jpgUntitled by Neal, on Flickr

27377977549_4a39c4c4e1_c.jpgUntitled by Neal, on Flickr

24294844627_58c14f4a85_c.jpgUntitled by Neal, on Flickr

38447934354_d5d5cb4a68_c.jpgUntitled by Neal, on Flickr

So here are the painted invasion stripes on the fuselage and I was happy with the result:

25454440578_d1932b0120_c.jpgIMG_0860 by Neal, on Flickr

I then masked off the landing gear bays to spray them interior green and that went ok but experienced a bit of a set back when removing the masking tape some of the paint on the fuselage was stripped back to bare plastic. Anyway I'll have to mask that then respray it:

39294295772_181227c0a3_c.jpgIMG_0862 by Neal, on Flickr

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

10 hours ago, NealParkes said:

I use copydex as a masking fluid. It had always worked well for me and does not have ammonia in it so ok with clear coats like Klear. 

That's very good to know about the lack of ammonia. I learnt the hard way by using Maskol on a 'Kleared' canopy...now I have another option:yes:.

 

Stuart

Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 hours ago, NealParkes said:

but experienced a bit of a set back when removing the masking tape some of the paint on the fuselage was stripped back to bare plastic. Anyway I'll have to mask that then respray it:

B****y annoying when this happens:swear:

 

Stuart

Link to comment
Share on other sites

18 hours ago, T-21 said:

There is a good low tack German pink masking tape manufactured by Tesa. Can get via Amazon not cheap but supposed to be very good.

To be fair I think the large wash tape from Wilkos is quite good and cheap, I think I didn't wash this kit before starting the build and I think there must have been some release agent from the holding on the kit causing everything to peel off! Well for the next build it will have a bath first!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

So pushing on a bit further tonight, I have got the invasion stripes repainted, then I gloss coated the kit by brush using Humbrol Clear:

25454440578_d1932b0120_c.jpgIMG_0860 by Neal, on Flickr

Then it was time for decals thankfully the kit only needs a grand total of 10 decals of which 4 were from xtradecal sheets (the serial number and the type C1 roundels on the fuselage), the decals were helped down by a bit of Micro Set & Micro Sol:

38634609854_b7120cf235_c.jpgIMG_0886 by Neal, on Flickr

38634610564_ca89f07726_c.jpgIMG_0887 by Neal, on Flickr

38634610954_3558b483e6_c.jpgIMG_0888 by Neal, on Flickr

I also finished painting all the little lumps and bumps and also did a bit of light chipping on the prop and spinner:

39342014671_4f4eb1a89a_c.jpgIMG_0885 by Neal, on Flickr

Nearly there now with this one!! Looking forwards to seeing it finished.

Thanks for looking.

Neal

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

So I'm really starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel now!!

 

I put on the wash using trusty Flory Dark Dirt:


39337700252_2c87e71475_c.jpgIMG_0891 by Neal, on Flickr

39337699662_f2de0efd32_c.jpgIMG_0890 by Neal, on Flickr

25498205628_fc941a1d03_c.jpgIMG_0889 by Neal, on Flickr

 

Then I took the wash off using dry kitchen roll and cotton buds, for the stubborn bits I used a bit of saliva on the kitchen roll and it soon shifted. I seem to have had a slight issue with crazing in the clear coat again, I'm not sure why, I think it might be caused by the self levelling thinners taking a while to go off. Any ideas of the subject would be helpful. Anyways here is the result and it looks ok from a slight distance:

38672037794_2c0bef7f7d_c.jpgUntitled by Neal, on Flickr

24514884807_fe34d8155b_c.jpgUntitled by Neal, on Flickr

25510554458_e2dc15ffb0_c.jpgUntitled by Neal, on Flickr

I then sprayed a flat coat using Tamiya XF-86 Flat Clear thinned fifty-fifty with Tamiya X-20A, I must say it look really nice once applied, I'm not sure my iPhone camera shows it that well:

38502452305_5c9659813f_c.jpgUntitled by Neal, on Flickr

39380063031_b3193f2d40_c.jpgUntitled by Neal, on Flickr

24514884857_8c00ca52aa_c.jpgUntitled by Neal, on Flickr


Good night guys

  • Like 6
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...