NealParkes Posted September 12, 2017 Share Posted September 12, 2017 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:Hobby Boss 1/72 P-51C Mustang by Neal, on FlickrOverview of what is inside. by Neal, on FlickrInstructions cover. by Neal, on FlickrA 2 step build, really? by Neal, on FlickrUntitled by Neal, on FlickrDecal sheet. by Neal, on FlickrSprue inside the box. by Neal, on FlickrFuselage in one part. by Neal, on FlickrNice detail for an easy assembly kit! by Neal, on FlickrOne piece wing, upper view. by Neal, on FlickrOne piece wing, underside. Nice detail in the wheel wells! by Neal, on FlickrSprue A1. by Neal, on FlickrSprue A2. by Neal, on FlickrLower fuselage cover. by Neal, on FlickrMetal shaft for the prop. by Neal, on FlickrSprue D. by Neal, on FlickrSprue C. by Neal, on FlickrAnd now the aftermarket bits:A really big sheet of decals for only two serial numbers:Xtradecal X72093 No 617 San Dambusters Decals. by Neal, on FlickrDecals instructions. by Neal, on FlickrI 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. 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NealParkes Posted September 13, 2017 Author Share Posted September 13, 2017 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:Primed the cockpit. by Neal, on FlickrAnd also the inside of the fuselage:Inside primed. by Neal, on FlickrI 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:Cockpit painted. by Neal, on FlickrCockpit painted 2. by Neal, on FlickrI then put a simple recess washing using Citadel Nuln Oil:Wash in cockpit. by Neal, on FlickrI 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!:Dry fitting. by Neal, on FlickrNot to be left out the wing root is going to need some work too:Wing root gap. by Neal, on FlickrI 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:Glued together. by Neal, on FlickrI then broke out my favourite solution to gaps, Deluxe Materiels Perfect Plastic Putty, I highly recommend it!:Putty fest! by Neal, on FlickrA bit tidier. by Neal, on FlickrI also note a centre line seam that will need sorting out:Centre line seam. by Neal, on FlickrI'll end this update here, on the next one I will be sanding out the seam lines and the putty.Take care everyone. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NealParkes Posted October 17, 2017 Author Share Posted October 17, 2017 I've got a bit more work done on this build. Firstly I sanded that centre line seam:Seam sanded. by Neal, on FlickrI then turned my attention to the underside and did a bit of sanding there:More sanding. by Neal, on FlickrAfter giving the perfect plastic putty a few days for shrinkage I sanded the gap around the nose:Gap filled. by Neal, on FlickrAnd also the wing root gap:Wing root gap. by Neal, on FlickrAnd here she is almost ready for some primer:Nearly ready for primer. by Neal, on FlickrI'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. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NealParkes Posted October 18, 2017 Author Share Posted October 18, 2017 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.Untitled by Neal, on FlickrI 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. IMG_1268 by Neal, on FlickrIMG_1269 by Neal, on FlickrAfter that had cured I picked out my paints for the camouflage, I will be using a mix of Tamiya and Hr Hobby Aqueous.IMG_1267 by Neal, on FlickrI sprayed the underside with Mr Hobby Aquaeous H335 Medium Sea Grey and once dry I started to mask up the undersides.IMG_1270 by Neal, on FlickrIMG_1271 by Neal, on FlickrThen this evening I sprayed the first of the two top camo colours, I used Tamiya XF82 Ocean Grey.IMG_1272 by Neal, on FlickrSo 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! 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NealParkes Posted October 18, 2017 Author Share Posted October 18, 2017 So I got a bit more done on the Mustang.First of all I sprayed the landing gear with some Tamiya Flat Aluminium:IMG_1294 by Neal, on FlickrThen got masking for the second camo colour Tamiya XF81 RAF Dark Green:IMG_1273 by Neal, on FlickrThen 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):IMG_1275 by Neal, on FlickrAnd 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:IMG_1291 by Neal, on FlickrIMG_1293 by Neal, on FlickrNext 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 15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinnie Posted October 19, 2017 Share Posted October 19, 2017 Looking good. What is that masking, please? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Russell Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 Invasion stripes suggestion PS - never seen milk chocolate as masking material before (:>) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NealParkes Posted October 20, 2017 Author Share Posted October 20, 2017 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. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Russell Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 On 10/19/2017 at 8:12 AM, NealParkes said:  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. 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinnie Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 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. Â Â 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 More sharing options...
Uncle Pete Posted October 29, 2017 Share Posted October 29, 2017 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 More sharing options...
NealParkes Posted December 28, 2017 Author Share Posted December 28, 2017 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: Hmm 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:Untitled by Neal, on FlickrUntitled 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:IMG_0301 by Neal, on Flickr Once that was done I started masking the area for the invasion strips:IMG_0769 by Neal, on FlickrIMG_0740 by Neal, on FlickrIMG_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 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted December 28, 2017 Share Posted December 28, 2017 Neal, what is the liquid mask you're using here? Â Stuart 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grey Beema Posted December 28, 2017 Share Posted December 28, 2017 (edited) Where you are using black tape or masking fluid I usually use clingfilm. Â I used low tac masking tape around the edges then anymore masking tape is only stuck to the low tack tape. Â I try to minimise sticking any type of tape to painted surfaces. Â Â So to mask the invasion stripes I would edge them round in tape then protect the rest of the paint with cling film. Â Hope this helps.. Edited December 28, 2017 by Grey Beema Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NealParkes Posted December 28, 2017 Author Share Posted December 28, 2017 13 hours ago, Courageous said: 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 More sharing options...
NealParkes Posted December 29, 2017 Author Share Posted December 29, 2017 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:IMG_0833 by Neal, on FlickrIMG_0835 by Neal, on FlickrIMG_0834 by Neal, on FlickrSo 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:Untitled by Neal, on FlickrUntitled by Neal, on FlickrUntitled by Neal, on FlickrUntitled by Neal, on FlickrUntitled by Neal, on FlickrSo here are the painted invasion stripes on the fuselage and I was happy with the result:IMG_0860 by Neal, on FlickrI 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:IMG_0862 by Neal, on Flickr 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted December 29, 2017 Share Posted December 29, 2017 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.  Stuart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted December 29, 2017 Share Posted December 29, 2017 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  Stuart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-21 Posted December 29, 2017 Share Posted December 29, 2017 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NealParkes Posted December 30, 2017 Author Share Posted December 30, 2017 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 More sharing options...
NealParkes Posted December 30, 2017 Author Share Posted December 30, 2017 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:IMG_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:IMG_0886 by Neal, on FlickrIMG_0887 by Neal, on FlickrIMG_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:IMG_0885 by Neal, on Flickr Nearly there now with this one!! Looking forwards to seeing it finished. Thanks for looking. Neal 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NealParkes Posted December 31, 2017 Author Share Posted December 31, 2017 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: IMG_0891 by Neal, on FlickrIMG_0890 by Neal, on FlickrIMG_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:Untitled by Neal, on FlickrUntitled by Neal, on FlickrUntitled by Neal, on FlickrI 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:Untitled by Neal, on FlickrUntitled by Neal, on FlickrUntitled by Neal, on FlickrGood night guys 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NealParkes Posted January 1, 2018 Author Share Posted January 1, 2018 Hey everyone,Here she is finished with some light weathering and all the lumps and bumps on:Untitled by Neal, on FlickrUntitled by Neal, on FlickrI'll post up a ready for inspection thread as well. Thanks for following the build and your support!Neal 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehnz Posted January 1, 2018 Share Posted January 1, 2018 Nice job Neal, it really looks the part. Steve. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NealParkes Posted January 3, 2018 Author Share Posted January 3, 2018 On 01/01/2018 at 3:55 AM, stevehnz said: Nice job Neal, it really looks the part. Steve. Thank you for the kind comment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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