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Airfix 1/72 F-51 Mustang SAAF - Completed


Speedman

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I know Airfix do a F-51D in Korean markings but I bought this starter set for £4 with free postage from Argos months ago and I'm going to use it instead of buying a new kit :P I was researching F-51's and came across a few photos of Mustangs in SAAF markings, I really like the Springbok roundels so that's what I'm doing. I'm using a set of MAV decals which give me a ridiculous choice of aircraft to model! I've yet to choose... This is only the second "new tool" Airfix kit I've built and I'm hoping it will be as good as the A-4B I built last year. :)

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What a pity... A really good kit let down by out of register decals :( Good job they're not needed.

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Because they're being replaced with these.

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Cracking kit Speedman,bet you enjoy it! watch out for some of the smaller parts especially the u/c legs when cutting them off the sprue they

are very delicate.

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That looks to be a nice little kit. Which aircraft are you thinking of going for?

So far 369, My Boy is topping my list.

Good choice for a build.. Best wishes.

Cheers :)

watch out for some of the smaller parts especially the u/c legs when cutting them off the sprue they

are very delicate.

;)

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  • 4 weeks later...

The decals arrived from South Africa a few weeks ago (I also ordered a sheet of roundels for future projects) and I've just bought a resin seat to go in it. I've got a few builds to finish for the Less than a tenner group, but as soon as those are done I'll be cracking on with this one.

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Great project!

Who is manufacturing that resin seat? It looks quite nifty, as you just have to had the support bars on the sides.

Good luck.

JR

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  • 3 weeks later...

Sorry I've not replied before but I lost track of things while trying to complete my builds for the Less than a tenner group. It's a Quickboost seat, I looked at a few different manufacturers and this one really stood out. I don't know how accurate it is but I liked the "natural" look of the belts.

I've made a start on this one at last. I've just separated and cleaned up some of the parts so far.

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And none of that green is visible now! :P:mental: I find it makes a great base colour and adds a little depth to black and various shades of green. I've still got a bit to do in the cockpit, the seat needs weathering and I've got to finish the IP and control column. As for the radiator, I've no idea if it's an accurate representation of colour but I had fun painting it, and that's what counts!

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  • 3 weeks later...
  • 2 weeks later...

1/72 must seem positively gigantic after all of your excellent 1/144 builds.

It is weird, but I've been making up for it by cutting out a dozen rocket pylons. Each one had a tiny piece of rod glued to it as a locating pin as well! :mental: They're glued in place and I've applied a little Mr Surfacer, just a bit of sanding to neaten them up and the wing will be ready for fitting.

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Nice tip with the shim of card at the wing tip mate and great progress.

I have got to add a SAAF Mustang to my collection sometime so your build id useful.

I didn't realise (or forgot) that the interior colour was black!

Edited by Deacon
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Nice tip with the shim of card at the wing tip mate and great progress.

It could have done with a little strip at the edge of the aileron as well. I had to use some filler and do some careful sanding to level it off.

The wings, tailplane and rudder are on. It needed a tiny bit of Mr Surfacer on the front join but other than that the fit was great.

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  • 2 weeks later...

After a lot of research, and a few questions on several SAAF forums, it's generally accepted that the SAAF F-51Ds had puttied wings with a silver lacquer. Soooooo, lots of Mr Surfacer and some carfull sanding later...

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I've also glued, blended, snaded and started polishing the canopy for a seamless join.

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  • 2 weeks later...

The decals are on, plus the pin wash and post shading is done, getting very close to the finish now :) During my research I discovered that 2 Sqn didn't start naming aircraft until February 1952, 14 months after receiving their first Mustangs. With this in mind, I've decided to give "My Boy" a battle weary finish.

Decals and pin wash...

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Post shading...

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