pacificmustang Posted June 23, 2019 Share Posted June 23, 2019 G'day All I thought I might roll up announced -if that's OK?- with my Zoukie Mura P-51D Mustang. This build was directly influenced by @Baldy supurb build here I went straight out and bought ZMs Mustang after seeing his build, and as a modelling friend stated, the time to start an impulse buy is straight after purchasing it! So, the obligatory box top, although I am not going to take photos of all the sprues. This is the first ZM kit I have built and their attention to detail and passion as model makers is evident through all the contents. Wingnut Wings instruction books are rightly held up as an industry high, but I think the ZM booklets rival them and come very close. Work starts with the Rolls Royce engine with ZM even moulding cylinders into the engine blocks, crazy, but I have read ZMs philosophy is to show how the real aircraft was built, and they want you as a model maker to have a better understanding of this. The rods (Im sure this is not the proper name) even mesh together when inserted into the crankcase. So, baby steps so far on the Mustang. I will be returning to this at the end of the week. Thanks for looking Bruce 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles87 Posted June 23, 2019 Share Posted June 23, 2019 Looking forward to this. It looks like a very comprehensive kit, perhaps on a par with the Airfix 1/24 Typhoon. I hope you have enough time to finish it before the GB deadline, it would take me at least a couple of years. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basilisk Posted June 23, 2019 Share Posted June 23, 2019 7 hours ago, pacificmustang said: G'day All I thought I might roll up announced -if that's OK? Certainly is and welcome in the shark invested waters. I like your choice of kit and subject and hope that there will be enough time for your build as it is a rather complex kit. Will follow with interest. Cheers, Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted June 23, 2019 Share Posted June 23, 2019 Looks like a fantastic project which I will enjoy following. Hope you have time to finish it! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pacificmustang Posted June 23, 2019 Author Share Posted June 23, 2019 Thanks for the warm welcome fellas. It is quite a complex kit, but I will be taking a few shortcuts due to having the cowlings closed to preserve that lovely sharkmouth! Cheers Bruce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calum Posted June 24, 2019 Share Posted June 24, 2019 Good start Bruce. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil5208 Posted June 24, 2019 Share Posted June 24, 2019 A ZM P51!, will follow with intrest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pacificmustang Posted July 1, 2019 Author Share Posted July 1, 2019 (edited) So, a little more done on the Mustang. This is pretty much all Im going to do with the engine as I will have the cowlings closed but rest assured all the parts are provided to build up a very nicely detailed Rolls Royce/Packard The below are all the parts for the cockpit except the instrument panel with the basic colours applied. Washing and dry brushing plus detail painting will follow. Edited July 1, 2019 by pacificmustang 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pacificmustang Posted July 5, 2019 Author Share Posted July 5, 2019 Continuing on with the cockpit, ZM give you options for seats with or without belts. I went for the beltless seat, choosing to add my own. Likewise you can choose between joysticks with and without the boot. I went for the one with the boot adding shading from vallejo colours and adding some sponge chipping to the stick, as I imagine it would get a bit of a beating from the pilots boots as he climbed in and out. I added a few bits of wire to the radio and dressed it and the battery up with some generic placards. The tentacle looking thing is the warm air heater hose. Seat belts are from HGW two instrument panels are provided, pictured here is the great plastic one. there is also a clear plastic one which you apply a decal to. My painting looks horrible close up, but viewed at a distance (from across the room, its not bad) The decal sheet also contains some placards for the cockpit sideframes and here's the starboard side frame and panel attached to the floor. 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basilisk Posted July 7, 2019 Share Posted July 7, 2019 The cockpit looks great. Did you curl up the HGW seatbelts before fitting? Cheers, Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pacificmustang Posted July 8, 2019 Author Share Posted July 8, 2019 No I didn’t Peter. Did that on the last set, then found it made it too tricky to thread the belts though the buckles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norman Posted July 8, 2019 Share Posted July 8, 2019 Good job so far sootie ! I really am scratching my head but, i get the pistons i can see the appeal, you put lovely seatbelts in , really like those, the cockpit etc is painted well but seems let down by a non etched instrument panel, is it too late to put one in mate, seems a waste is all Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pacificmustang Posted July 8, 2019 Author Share Posted July 8, 2019 Yeah, no, it’s a good point Norm . I had a yahu panel, but its not a great fit to the ZM panel with the location tabs in the wrong spot plus I thought I’d try out my fine painting skills but failed a bit ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basilisk Posted July 8, 2019 Share Posted July 8, 2019 Aircscale instrument decals could be another option which would make a difference. Cheers, Peter 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norman Posted July 8, 2019 Share Posted July 8, 2019 I'm positive you will sort it mate !!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pacificmustang Posted July 11, 2019 Author Share Posted July 11, 2019 (edited) once the cockpit is done, it can be mated to the engine and firewall sub assembly to give you this. You then build up the fuselage over this frame with the below parts, which join along panel lines just like the real thing. No fuselage halves here!!!. Take care to insure all mating surfaces are free of burrs, and that the outside of the fuselage floor is also flush with none of the radiator mounting pegs sitting proud Take your time to insure the side panels are sitting hard against the floor alone its length. There is no room for error if you want to the parts to butt up against each other with even panel lines The below pic shows the upper cowl just dry fitted as well as the instrument shroud. Im really starting to enjoy this build. It's not for everyone. If you're one that loves to get to the painting stage quickly,maybe build the Revell kit, This kit rewards the modeller who loves the build process as much as the finishing. And that's me! Edited July 11, 2019 by pacificmustang photo 7 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roginoz Posted July 11, 2019 Share Posted July 11, 2019 Coming on a treat, Bruce, the cockpit's a gem ! ZM kits certainly get you thinking and are a change from conventional building, despite claims that they're over-engineered. Following your build with interest ! Rog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pacificmustang Posted July 11, 2019 Author Share Posted July 11, 2019 Thanks Rog, hope the post surgery recovery is going well 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted July 11, 2019 Share Posted July 11, 2019 Incredible work snd detail. I knew Z-M kits were extremely parts heavy and went through this process of building up the aircraft in small sub assemblies. Ive just never seen one built before, thats why i opted to follow your build. I too am someone who enjoys the build as well as the painting stage. I actually believe if this is built with very careful attention. Making sure that the surfaces that are to be connected are clean. I believe that you may not need filler, as the panels seem very tight fitting ? I wonder if there F-4 Phantoms go together like this ? Dennis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pacificmustang Posted July 11, 2019 Author Share Posted July 11, 2019 Hi Dennis, yes you are correct. I now have the top deck on and the cowlings dry fitted. Everything appears to go together well with no need for filler at this stage, All joins are along panel lines. I have the phantom and am hoping that is the same Thanks for looking in Bruce 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calum Posted July 12, 2019 Share Posted July 12, 2019 Looking good there Bruce... but with all those parts I'm worried you'll lose something... (as usual) Fingers crossed this time 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pacificmustang Posted July 13, 2019 Author Share Posted July 13, 2019 Ill admit is is a concern Calum, especially having previous🤣 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pacificmustang Posted July 21, 2019 Author Share Posted July 21, 2019 Joining the completed tail unit to the fuselage left me with a gap, which I think is more down to me not ensuring everything was aligned more so than the kit, nothing that a bit of milliput won't fix! The cowling is made ups of four quarters. If you want cowlings off, the kit also provides the framework, but its either, or with this kit, unlike the tamiya kit With a completed fuselage, attention now turned to the wing, which is built up from this one piece spar part. I have already assembled and installed the wing tanks this is then glued to the one piece lower wing. I used clothes pegs to clamp it to ensure a tight fit as any gaps will throw everything else out I used AK real colours Yellow zinc Chromate, washed with Mig dark wash then dry brushed with Vallejo Ice yellow for all interior parts The ammunition was painted with Vallejo brass, the projectiles in copper with the belts in beige. Tamiya black wash was then liberally applied. I think I might add some plastic strips to the top of the gun breeches just to add a bit of detail as they look a little plain. with the top wing surfaces glued on, the separate wingtips were added. A good fit, thank goodness 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles87 Posted July 22, 2019 Share Posted July 22, 2019 It looks to be a well engineered kit, and I particularly like your painting of the ammunition belts. On kits with fuselages halves which are split into two or more pieces I prefer to make up each half on a flat surface before joining them together. I know it’s too late for this one, but worth considering for future builds. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pacificmustang Posted July 25, 2019 Author Share Posted July 25, 2019 On 7/22/2019 at 9:55 PM, Biggles87 said: It looks to be a well engineered kit, and I particularly like your painting of the ammunition belts. On kits with fuselages halves which are split into two or more pieces I prefer to make up each half on a flat surface before joining them together. I know it’s too late for this one, but worth considering for future builds. John That's the way I usually operate too John, but the way the parts are broken down in this kit precludes doing that on this occasion 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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