Faraway

Only too happy to have you follow, I'll try and make it interesting. The kit includes decals for a Korean version, I'm tempted. Jon

Just so long as you make the test simple, the old brain ain't what it was. That's very kind of you to say. I'll try and make it fun. Jon

You'd think I'd have had enough, for a while, after just finishing the Henschel. But no, so looking at my stash I chose this Mustang. Firstly, because I've never built a Mustang. Secondly, I like the scale (I'm going to need bigger shelves) And thirdly, it'll make a change from WW2 & WW1. Oh yeah, another thing, it doesn't have a camo paint job. So here goes, we start with the Packhard/Merlin engine, very simple build. And then the cockpit starts, I like the instrument decals being applied to the back of the clear panel. Jon

1/32. If I stay with this scale, I’m going to need a bigger bench. Considering, I’m just starting a 1/32 F15D Mustang, that might be soon. Jon

The more I think about it, it’ll be Matt.

Many thanks. The engines were a bit over engineered, weren’t they. Unfortunately they won’t start, I think they are seized.

I’m with there, with Matt varnish

Very nice.

This is by no means perfect, but I think I'm getting better it was a fun build, although at times a bit of a fiddle, and lot of internal detail disappeared.I was quite pleased with the result with the dials on the engines. I haven't yet sprayed it with a matt or satin varnish, simply because I can't make up my mind, I shall give it some thought. The very worst part of this build, was the decals, the little red dots along the engines were a nightmare, simply because they were SO fragile. Also, the Instructions were not very clear as to the orientation of some of the smaller ones. However, the instructions for the build were very good with lots of explanation as to what the parts were. Jon.

Finished. More photos in 'Ready for Inspection'

I did try blu-tac, but wasn’t happy with the way the paper masks conformed to the surfaces. No way did you waste my time, I was really happy with the suggestion. Very many thanks for the advice. Jon.

Well, I did it. I didn't use the stencils I'd made in the end, I was struggling to get them to really conform with the surfaces. So after much practice, I did the aircraft free hand. I think, for a first ever try at mottled camo, it came out alright. Thanks for all your advice, I'm not sure I'll try it again too soon. Jon.

Main camo colour applied and then green mottling. It's the first time I've tried this sort of paint job, and after a couple of hours spraying mottling on just about anything that didn't move, I girded my loins, bit the bullet, threw caution to the wind and started on the aircraft. Well, I think it came out alright, and all done free hand. So I've patted my self on the back. Might be awhile before I do it again though. Just got to spray an area of the nose white, as well as white band around the fuselage just in front of the tail. And then it's decal time. Jon.

Masked and primed, ready for the paint to be applied. Underside painted and unmasked, bomb racks and tail wheel fitted.Just waiting for the paint to harden and then mask the underside and paint the upper surfaces. All over with a sand colour and then if I have the courage, a dark green mottling.

John. Thanks for the tip, I'll be making some stencils today. Jon

PattheCat. That looks like a real possibility, I’ve tried free hand on spare plastic and I also got a bit of spitting and sometimes spidering. Your solution is one I am going to try. Many thanks, I’ll let you know how I get on. Jon

Not much done today. Painted the propellers, 50kg bombs and gun sight. The gun sight is actually going to be mounted outside the cockpit, on the nose. Tomorrow, I will be filling and sanding any gapes, not that there are many, and then hopefully applying the paint to the underside.

Thank you. It is a pity that the canon is hidden, it could have been shown as it would have been in life, sort of. The gun, as in photo 2, is fixed in the fuselage by four small pins, which according to the instructions, two of which were removed to allow the gun to swing down, for inspection and rearming. Trouble is the covering doesn’t slide over the barrel, and just sort of dangles. A guaranteed accident waiting to happen. So I fixed everything on, lost the detail of the gun, but I know it’s there. Jon

The 30mm is as you see in the third photo, all covered up, but the side machine guns will have their hatches open, as well as the inspection hatches on the fuselage. And of course, the cockpit canopy will be open. Its been a great kit to build, but has a lot of hidden detail, when finished.

Flaps and aileron fitted. I had to paint the flaps, so as to attach a decal, which you can just see peeping out. (tiny yellow triangle) And a masked up canopy, which will be left open on completion. Next, is the 30MM Canon. Jon

Thanks for that. The instructions gave two ways to apply the decals, either to a solid plastic one, which had the decal applied as normal and then softened, so they conformed. Or a clear plastic one, where they were applied from behind, I like the result from the instruments, having a clear unit to fit them to, makes them very realistic. I just hope the engine mounted ones look ok after painting. Hope the liquid mask does its job, it has in the past so fingers crossed . It is a bit like building the real thing, as most of the detail is slowly disappearing, but where I can leave hatches open, I will. Jon.

Undercarriage doors, well door really, fitted. Along with radiators, exhaust pipe and engine cowl.

Engines and windshield fitted. The brown 'Y' shape is the hot air vents that were there to prevent the armoured glass, inner panel misting up. The green colouring is masking tape. Armoured glass panel Engine instrument panels. Masked with liquid mask. Undercarriage bays,

I discovered this as well, a few days ago, it does work well. Very many thanks for all this information, I’ve only got a 0.4 needle/nozzle at the moment, but am trying to find a 0.2 set. I’m going to be practicing a bit before I start, nice to have a challenge. Jon

I’m currently building a Henschel HS129, and have turned my mind to the final camouflage finish. I am considering a mottle camo, but have never done this before. Can anyone give me some guidance as to the best way to go about it. I will be most grateful for any help. Jon