RZP

Next up was the cockpit. When it was released in 1972 it must have seemed fabulously detailed. I was impressed with how much they did include, although it was not as sharp as we expect today. It was clear that Airfix did examine a real Mustang, unlike Trumpeter. That being said, there is lots of scope to refine and add more. The Waldron placard set for the 1/24 P-51D was gorgeous, and I wish I could find another...for almost any price. The tiny instructions on the placards were legible under a magnifying glass! However, inserting all the tiny sections of wire to represent toggle switches was not my favourite part of the build. 🙂 The kit seat was a weird hybrid of the Warren-McArthur seat, and the metal Schick-Johnson seat. Both were used in late production Mustangs, and the one I was building had the Schick-Johnson. Once again, it was cutting and fitting plastic card and tubing to create the proper seat. The armour plate in late Mustangs was extended higher to protect the pilot better. I had to add a section of card, and replaced the headrest cushion and added the associated radio equipment behind the plate. The cockpit floor in the kit is curved, which is not correct. I replaced the floor with thick card, built a new well for the control column, and added details like the fuel gauges in the floor, the fresh air control, the relief tube and the canvas cover under the seat.

Thanks so much John! It wasn't difficult to do the wheel wells, but it was a lot of time and trimming, and dry-fitting. I used the wingspar template from the old old Patrick Stephens book. Of course on my next one I'll just use the set from ModelMonkey, which looks spectacular. I could never approach the detail that he's incorporated into his set. https://www.model-monkey.com/product-page/1-24-p-51d-p-51k-and-mustang-mk-iv-wheel-well-inserts-for-airfix-kits The tires on the RCAF Mustangs were very standard, so I couldn't get away with mismatched treads. I could do that on my next one though, a Mustang IV from 303 Squadron in 1945. Richard

The landing gear itself needed to be shortened by 1/4" or 5/16", taken from the oleo portion between the collars. I was concerned about the flimsiness of the legs after adding a fair bit of weight in extra parts in the fuselage and on the wings. I replaced the main leg with aluminum tubing, and slid a smaller diameter tube in to replace the oleo. The bottom part is white metal taken from the SAC gear set. The scissor links were the kit parts thinned and carefully drilled out, and care was taken to offset the scissors, and hand them left and right. I attempted to build new scissor links from stretched sprue, wire and left over photo-etched parts but that didn't go very well. Once the tires/wheels are attached I will add the brake lines at the bottom. The legs...the kit leg as provided on the left, a completed leg in the middle, and the starboard leg in progress: RCAF Mustangs were equipped with tires that had circumferential tread, which of course were not available in 1/24 scale. I ordered the Grey Matter oval tread wheels/tires, filled the tread with Milliput and Tamiya fine putty, sanded them down and then rescribed the new tread pattern. If I was smart I would have made rubber molds of them so I could cast more for later.

Thanks for the kind words Chris. I just saw that I've double-posted. I'm not sure how to delete the other one, I'll try to contact an admin. Richard

Same method for the landing gear covers, and the tailwheel well and doors: Gear covers with the cardboard templates at the top, and the finished door at the bottom:

Next were the landing gear parts which needed improvement. The inner gear doors were not very convincing, so they were built up with laminations of card, sanded, shaped and filled with Milliput and Tamiya putty, detailed with Archer resin rivet decals. The start: Closer to the finish. One primed and ready for paint, one detailed, and I left a kit part from the box as a comparison in the top left corner. Not perfect, but better to my eye:

The first area to tackle was the wheel wells. I created a spar with double-thick card, and the roof of the wells from thin card on the wing top parts. The ribbing was added with a lot of fettling, and reference to the Tamiya 1/32 kit and photographs. I added detail to top and bottom wing parts, and the result was sandwiched together, and more small details added. The start: Stringers and ribs added: Paint and wiring and plumbing: Almost finished:

With the discussion around the old 1/24 Airfix kits, and Charlie's fabulous Spitfire Mk.I build below, I thought I would present my attempt at their almost 50-year old kit of the Mustang. Some of you will have seen it elsewhere, and I apologize. Mine was started four years ago, and it's getting close to completion. These old kits are still impressive for the amount of detail they included, and disappointing for what they omitted. The Airfix P-51D/Mustang IV is still easily the best foundation for a 1/24 model of the Mustang. Trumpeter's attempt was an enormous disappointment, although better fitting and finely detailed, it doesn't matter when most of it is inaccurate. The major problems with the Airfix kit are the lack of dihedral on the wings, the complete lack of anything in the landing gear wells, the too-long landing gear legs and the somewhat anemic shape of the nose. Most of these shortcomings have recently been corrected by fabulous aftermarket parts by ModelMonkey. There is a now set of brass gear legs from a chap in the States, and the Airscale instrument panel is stunning and a must. Of course, all of the aftermarket improvements except the instrument panel were not released until after I had scratch-built all of my own corrections! These kits will absorb as much work as you are willing to put into them. I had never scratch-built anything before, so it has been a slow but satisfying experiment. I learned a lot about the Mustang, in particular the modifications made to RCAF Mustangs in the process, and learned many new techniques for other projects. I also lost my fear of altering and improving parts, or making new ones. Although, there were a lot of, 'Oh crap, what the hell have I done!" moments. So, I started with the kit, Waldron 1/24 P-51D placards ( I would kill for another set!! ), the Airscale P-51D instrument panel, and the RB Productions USAAF seat harness. The rest was a lot of plastic card, aluminum tubing, solder wire and swearing. The decals were a combination of an ancient sheet of RCAF roundels from Can-Force, and the rest had to be designed and printed by me on decal paper. The RCAF Mustang stencils were a unique combination of North American Aviation instructions, and RCAF additions. I learned a lot about post-war RCAF markings!! I hope people won't mind me sharing the progress photos that were taken during the build to date. Richard This is what I hope to achieve...soon:

The 1/24 Airfix P-51D/K has been getting a fair bit of love over the last couple of years from Airscale (instrument panel), Grey Matter (tires and props) and most recently ModelMonkey. The last company has been addressing the worst of the issues with 3D printed parts; the upper cowling shape, a full and stunningly detailed wheel well with a wingspar that corrects the dihedral...along with seats, exhaust pipes and shrouds, radio equipment, gunsights, and drop tanks. There is also a new set of brass landing gear which was 3D designed by a chap in the States. There are dozens of after-market decal and masking choices. That makes the cost of the final product similar to some of the state of the art kits, but it's worth it to me, and must be to the after market producers. I agree 3D printing will open up possibilities that weren't practical before. Of course, most of the above was released after I finished scratch-building all of that for my current example over a three year period (that still isn't finished 🙂 ). It has been an enormous amount of fun, and I enjoyed every minute and learned a lot (well, there was some adult language at times) For a fifty-year old kit, it is still by far the best start for a 1/24 scale Mustang, the Trumpeter attempt being a huge disappointment. It is surprising how much detail Airfix included at the time, and also surprising what was missed. They are incredibly impressive when finished. I would love Airfix to retool the Mustang to the standards of the Typhoon and Hellcat, but I suppose if they are still making money from these molds, all power to them. I am starting another one using all of the above after-market goodies. Richard Almost finished 1/24 Mustang IV, ready to start another one...

Seriously? F/O Ryan Gosling? I don't doubt you at all, but interesting considering the Canadian actor from London, Ontario. I wonder if there's a family connection. Richard

To those of you waiting for the templates, they're finally done. I just have to scan them and convert them to a pdf. I have all your emails, and I'll send them in the next day or so. Thanks for you patience.

Nope. Sorry, I haven't been able to finish them. I work full time and am also involved with theatre productions at night, so I go straight from the office to the theatre for the evening. Life has been too busy the last few months. My last show finishes this weekend, and I will get my life back on Sunday. Everything is drawn except the ribs themselves require tweaking. I can then scan them and send them. Sorry for the delay, but they are coming. Next week definitely. Richard

Found them! Send me a PM with your address and I'll get them on the way to you. Richard

I may have this sheet and won't be using the 1/72 decals. I'll check my stash and let you know tomorrow. I helped the author of the article with research info and photos. Richard

The nationality shoulder flashes were officially sanctioned and regulated by the RAF, I just don't have my references with me at the moment. Not sure when they were introduced but certainly early enough that you'll see all nationalities during the Battle of Britain period besides "Canada"..."Poland", "Czechoslovakia", "New Zealand", etc... Antoni Glowacki being debriefed during the BoB while with 501 Squadron (this particular patch was for NCOs): And no, we're very careful to make sure we are clearly labelled as Canadians, and not one of those others. :-)

The "Canada" flashes were worn during the Battle of Britain. Here is a photo of "#1 Squadron RCAF" at Northolt on September 13, 1940, Squadron Leader Ernie McNab in the centre. Pre-war, I'm not so sure, I'd have to do some more digging.

Yes, of course Tony...but only if you build an RCAF Mustang. :-) Nice spot to live! I would love to live in the GTA, but I'm afraid I would just have to turn my pay-cheque over to Wheels and Wings Hobbies. Seriously, send me a PM with your email and I'll send you copies when they're ready. What markings are you planning for your Mustang? Richard

Yes Mark, please just send me a PM. I'm hoping the scanning idea works without distortion, but I'll put a scale on each page for a reference. I can also always send out hard copies by snail-mail. Richard

Hello there, reviving this old thread for those who expressed an interest in the templates. Three months later and I'm still working on this kit! I'm nearly ready to close up the wings, so I am going to clean up my drawings and make some measurements to finalize the templates and drawings. If anyone is still interested I'll have them ready by next week, and can mail them out to you. I was thinking of scanning them and saving them digitally, but not sure whether they would scale out properly. Anyway, they include templates for: -the wing spar -roof panel for the wheel wells with map of stringers, ribs and cut-outs. -rib templates (they will require some sanding and dry fitting) -landing gear covers -inner clamshell doors -tail wheel enclosure -map of piping and wiring (based on photos, but not 100% complete. My thought was to make it representative rather than reproduce every pipe and wire) I agree with others that the 1/24 Airfix Mustang is still more accurate in shape and "the look" than the Trumpeter effort, and well worth the extra work. Richard

That surprises me too. There have been so many reboxings, and recently with new bits. There must be thousands out there waiting to be built, but the detail work involved can look daunting. I think Flightpath was listing a huge etched set on their future releases for years, but have deleted it now. A new Mustang at the level of the 1/24 Typhoon would make me happy. In the meantime I measure and cut new parts, and curse... Richard

I don't know what the future holds for Airfix, but I would just love to see that too! It may not be "Anglo" enough though for the company's new direction, despite the Mustang's strong connection to the UK. I still think it would be a huge seller. It is by far my favourite aircraft, but perhaps for Airfix a new Spitfire of any mark might be a better choice. They will probably announce a new 1/24 Mustang once I've finally finished this one... Richard

Yes, he was in the Polish Air Force in the UK and served with 316 and 303 Squadrons, all his time was on Mustangs. He was an engine fitter (mechanic for you American types ) and joined 316 in May 1944, not long before they were sent south from Coltishall to combat the V-1s. He's still alive, healthy and feisty, and very proud of his service, especially being part of 303. He jokes about the fact that he grew up in a part of Poland where he didn't often see a car or lorry, but five years later was servicing one of the best fighters in the world. My favourite photo of him:

I figured that , there are some wonderful schemes on the Australian Mustangs, and all those modifications and differences from the North American built aircraft. I also like the RNZAF checkered squadron markings. As for the mismatched tyres, I think that would be fun to do, especially entered in a contest...waiting to see the judges do a double take. You're right though, it did happen often. Not so much with the RCAF as they seem to have standardized on the circumferential tread. My next one is going to be a Polish 303 Squadron aircraft. Kind of plain-Jane, but important to me: One of the aircraft my father serviced, flown by the Squadron commander. It was the only Mustang IV on 303 that had kill markings, so a little different. Richard

Yes, the Rutman tyres are an essential replacement. The vinyl ones in the kit are anemic and difficult to weather to look good. My issue is that all the post-war RCAF Mustangs had a tread pattern that Rutman didn't do, so I'll have to modify one of the sets by filling with Milliput and scribing new tread:

I'd be happy to send you a set too. As I said above it'll be a couple of weeks yet, but hopefully they'll help. It's not as difficult to scratch build the details as I thought it would be, just takes time. I'll contact you here when they're ready. Richard