johnd

I have a way out of sorts, in that I have the Hobby Boss transfers for the same aircraft but hopefully it won't come to that. The Decal Film did the trick last time but I'm not complacent 😟 John.

Thanks! I used them once before and one broke up on me. This time I'm prepared and will use Microscale Decal Film. John.

First progress update on the build... The propeller was taken from an Airfix Mustang IV as it's a bit more refined than the supplied one. The undersides have had the "clam shell" doors stuck on in the up position and the mounting points for the weird rockets supplied in the kit have been filled with some plastic rod. A coat of white primer didn't go on too well so was removed with some vodka (nice to find a use for it). I have some steel belts from Eduard to try out on that, on the off-chance that they'll be seen through the canopy. Shame there aren't any AM control columns to be had, though. John.

Well, wonders never cease. I found it! For reference, the part comes in a small polythene bag tightly folded and taped. Why, I will never know but Plan B can stay on the shelf for a little longer. John.

No, that's the radiator housing, it fits behind that. Thanks for looking. John.

Well, some progress has been made. The propeller is ready, the underside rocket mounting points filled and the interior done except for the belts. Unfortunately, that's is far as it will get. Those familiar with the kit may have already spotted from the above parts shot that there's one missing. It's the piece that makes up the lower fuselage and I've exhausted my search (don't even know if it was in the box when it arrived). As it's pretty unlikely that anyone would have a spare, it looks like Plan B. John.

Graham has a fix for that. Cut the panel just in front of the exhausts vertically to about half way down. Wedge the fuselage along the cowling to the correct width. Glue the fuselage together and then the part in front of the exhausts that you cut earlier to preserve its circular shape (will require clamping). This will leave you with a gap which you fill to build up the 'shoulders'. Hope that makes sense. It was easier to follow the way Graham explained it... John.

no instructions? John.

I had this problem, it was due to me making multiple requests at the wrong time and it was assumed that my IP address was part of one of these DoS attacks. If you DM Mike or one of the other moderators and tell them your IP address they'll check it out and unblock you. John.

Excellent! 162 gallons? At current UK prices, that's....

Thanks for your persistence, well worthwhile. Nicely done! John.

Here we go with an entry for the group build. Its nothing ambitious, just a Hobby Boss 1/72 Mustang III Easy Build. If it goes well, an Airfix Mustang IVa is on the cards too! The obligatory parts shot: The markings will come from here: The original plan was to do a 315 Squadron example, PK-G, but I forgot that when I did PK-O, the 'PKs' fell apart and I had to nick the others. So Wing Commander Skalski then.. John.

There's an MS-230 taking up shelf space in my den, think I'd like to come in with that, please. John.

Count me in too, please. John.

Fingers crossed for a WiP... John.

I'd be up for that. John.

Ha ha! I might just do that 😀 John.

I'd like to join, please. My entry will be either a 315 Squadron Mustang III (Hobby Boss) or an Airfix Mustang IV with Freightdog conversion, markings as yet unknown. John.

I think I'll have a bash at this one, if I may? There's a 1/72 scale Italeri F4U-7 around somewhere, let's see if it can be located... John.

Keep going, it'll look great when it's done. John.

Thanks JR! I think 'research' exaggerates my efforts a little - I merely read other people's research and decided what was most likely. The underside colour was a bit of a guess. DuPont Sky was greyer than the UK version but as I didn't have a paint chip to work off, a random mix had to suffice. If you work with enamel, Sovereign have one in their range. Also, two things that weren't included on my model: British specification P-40s had the cranked type of pitot tube (not included in the kit) and also an external rear view mirror mounted on the windscreen frame and offset to port. John.

Thanks. Not only is this the first group build I've managed to finish, it's also the first completed model in a while. Maybe a trip over to the KUTA build is in order to shift some of the others... John.

Kittyhawk Ia (P-40E-1) 77 Squadron RAAF, New Guinea, 1942. Flown by Squadron Leader Richard Cresswell DFC. Build thread here

'tis done. I've thoroughly enjoyed it. The model isn't my best effort but it's the taking part that counts and I'm ready to take part in the next one. Mustangs, I believe... Thanks for all the support and kind comments. John.

Cheers. Awaiting its matt coat...nearly there. John.