mark.au

Will this do? 😎 Gonna need a bigger case… Cheers.

Looks really good! I’ve never seen the upper Stars and Bars on the starboard wing before, is it that way on the real warbird? Edit, never kind I see that you’ve seen that

You did a much better job on the radar than I did on mine. Looks great!

Yes, definitely hot water because that melts the adhesive sufficiently. You’re correct, the key though is the Mr. Mark, Tamiya decals are designed to work with that rather than the MicroSet/Sol combo. You’ll be pleasantly surprised, I’m sure, at how Tamiya decals perform if you use this approach.

Tamiya make the best decals if any of the mainstream kit producers. Most people don’t know how to use them though. Hot water Mr. Mark Setting Solution Leave to set. More painted-on than Eduard’s without the BS carrier film.

Off to a great start. That’s an interesting technique for detailed parts, sort of reverse dry brushing. I’m looking forward to seeing how you go with this one.

Thanks, gents. I've continued with the overall assembly, bouncing back and forth between the fuselage and wings. I still haven't made up my mind on whether to paint the wings separately or not but the time to commit is fast approaching. After a check on the seams and attaching the gun shrouds I covered them with a bit of YZC. I did this for two reasons; the first as a check on the seams themselves and how they'd look under paint but also as a final filler, although microscope in depth it still adds to the overall effect. Anyway, as I won't attach the flaps and ailerons until later, I'm calling the wings finished for now. As for the fuselage, the major remaining works were in the instrument panel and its combing. I used the kit PE for the IP which looks quite nice but I wish Eduard would make them a little less shiny. Of specific note [for me, at least], I managed to get all but one of the minute PE levers and toggles on without loss! After inserting the IP assembly into the fuselage, it's ready for the windscreen and canopy. And so, the current state of play on the fuselage... I have assembled the tail feathers and they appear to be a good enough fit that I can paint them separately as well. I think it will make the tail stripe decals infinitely easier to apply if the tail is unassembled when I do it. Having said that, I have't completely ruled out painting them - it would make the easier, too. There's going to be a two week pause on this one now while we take a trip overseas. As it happens, we're going to the same place 2Lt. Harvey was heading to on that ill-fated day in June, 1945. Cheers.

Looks really good James, that scheme is brilliantly executed.

On to the wings. We begin with the main gear bay. I started with a repeat of the above experiment on a NMF. After that, I forgot to take any photos until I’d finished 🤦‍♂️. I hand painted the stringers and for a bit of visual interest I made a couple of them green. Several restorations have shown that the stringers could be either colour, though most commonly they were yellow. Next I assembled the wings and began the critical task of filling the panel lines, just like the real thing. To me, a P-51 has to have smooth wings. I used PPP because I want the ghost of the puttied panel lines to show, also just like the real thing after some use. And, after a little work with a 1500 grit sanding stick… Next, I’ll finish the assembly and may even get some paint on them (assuming the fit is good enough that I can paint them separately from the fuselage). Not pictured is the fuselage which I’ve already joined, cleaned and replaced the lost rivets. I’m enjoying this kit, it’s as good as the Eduard 109s and it’s helping me forget the 110… Cheers.

Thank you Alistair and everyone, much appreciated Cheers.

I did a little experiment with a NMF. I was about to load up some Testors Metalizer when I realised I doin't have anything to clean up with so instead, I loaded some Vallejo Metal Magnesium (a bit dark for aluminium plate the only one I have at the moment). I sprayed that in the radiator intake area of the fuselage sides and before it was completely dry Idry brushed some SNJ aluminium powder to shine it up. The result was excellent, but a little fragile so I then added a thin coat of clear gloss. The progression is below, the photo bottom right shows the finished look. I think there's potential there for further experiments as the amount of powder varies the sheen and an additional mid-sheen top coat coupled with a touch of post shade should render a very nice finish. If nothing else, it'll be fun to try it out. Then it was time to bid the cockpit detail farewell before closing up the fuselage. Next up will be the close and then I can start on the wings. Cheers.

The 210/410 canopies are always tricky but you have managed it very well. Looking forward to the paint, this one’s going to be a cracker.

Looks very nice! You get your radar alignment spot on, much better I managed.

I see a silk purse.

Great paint work. I still have my stash of MM Metaliser and although it’s literally decades since I used it last, I think it might make an appearance on my Pony. I hope it comes out as well as yours did.