Cookenbacher Posted January 11, 2020 Posted January 11, 2020 The high back P-51 was my first foray into 1/72 'plastic surgery', and it may be time for another. I came across an old Revell/Monogram P-51B kit at a semi-LHS last weekend for 3.99 USD, and a similarly low priced Airfix P-51D, and decided I should attempt a hybrid suggested by @Bedders in his own Hasegawa/KP hybrid P-51B thread. You may be wondering what's wrong with just building a P-51B from the Monogram kit itself, and the answer is: nothing at all - one of the best builds I've ever seen was from the Monogram kit. The main reason for this attempt is that I think it will be fun, and correct a few shape issues with the Revell/Monogram fuselage along the way. 17
giemme Posted January 11, 2020 Posted January 11, 2020 Oh, another FrankenMustang from Cookie! I'm in! Ciao 1 1
stevehnz Posted January 11, 2020 Posted January 11, 2020 I'll be watching this too, I have got both kits but it would likely never have occurred to me to kit bash them. Interesting to see the difference in the inner wing leading edge between the -B & the -D. Steve. 1
gingerbob Posted January 11, 2020 Posted January 11, 2020 Are you making the first bubble-canopy testbed, which was a B airframe? 2
Courageous Posted January 11, 2020 Posted January 11, 2020 3 hours ago, stevehnz said: Interesting to see the difference in the inner wing leading edge between the -B & the -D. First thing I spotted too. Stuart 2
Cookenbacher Posted January 11, 2020 Author Posted January 11, 2020 20 hours ago, gingerbob said: Are you making the first bubble-canopy testbed, which was a B airframe? That would be a really good idea Bob, and now I'm tempted dang it, but the intention is for a high-back P-51B/C. The two kits match up very nicely, but I'll have to fabricate the wheel well roof as it is part of the fuselage on the Monogram kit. This pic also shows how much further forward the P-51D wing leading edges meet the fuselage. First, to remove the fin fillet, thanks to @theplasticsurgeon himself, for documenting his technique. The Airfix flaps even fit nicely on the Monogram wing. The P-51D windshield and coaming are angled forward, while those on the B/C sit perpendicular to the fuselage, so I included the coaming with the high back section to be added to the Airfix fuselage. I really wish I had @Bedders laser fingers right now, even if they do make it difficult to eat a sandwich. 21 1
giemme Posted January 11, 2020 Posted January 11, 2020 Cor blimey Cookie, heavy surgery right from the very beginning! Ciao 1
Johnson Posted January 11, 2020 Posted January 11, 2020 I always enjoy watching surgery... as long as there's no blood! 2
Thom216 Posted January 12, 2020 Posted January 12, 2020 This should be a fun trip! Looking real good so far. 1
Cookenbacher Posted January 12, 2020 Author Posted January 12, 2020 OK, ready for a test fit of the high back. I still have to do the section just ahead of the tail - the panel lines change right there. I started adding the wing spars too - just from plasticard. The worn out notches behind them are for the tabs on the Airfix flaps. 19
CedB Posted January 12, 2020 Posted January 12, 2020 Nice, precise work Cookie - she's coming together really well 1
rob85 Posted January 12, 2020 Posted January 12, 2020 Woah cookie, no messing with this is there?! Fantastic work. Rob 1
Andre B Posted January 12, 2020 Posted January 12, 2020 Love this Cookenbacher! Following with great interest. Maybe I had to get one more Monogram kit! Cheers / André 1
Hockeyboy76 Posted January 14, 2020 Posted January 14, 2020 Great work Cookie, who knew you were so good with a saw. 1
mirageiv Posted January 18, 2020 Posted January 18, 2020 Cracking chopping Cookie! Kit-bashes are quite fun if they kits are relatively similar, I look forward to see how you tackle this one. David 1
Cookenbacher Posted January 19, 2020 Author Posted January 19, 2020 Thanks for coming along everybody and for the encouraging comments. I finally decided it was time to try and attach the high back to the Airfix fuselage. I had to chop off the top of the seat and file down the instrument panel to get them to fit in the new hybrid fuselage. Threw a couple shims into the most egregious seams. After a little clean up, it's actually starting to look like a P-51B/C. I tried scribing the Revell/Monogram high back by following the raised panel lines, but my scriber kept jumping from one side of the raised line to the next and they ended up pretty wavy (I miss my INCIDO), so they need to be cleaned up. Also, the seams need a little more filling and sanding. It's not the easiest way to a high back Mustang, but very enjoyable so far. 19
John Laidlaw Posted January 19, 2020 Posted January 19, 2020 1 hour ago, Cookenbacher said: It's not the easiest way to a high back Mustang, but very enjoyable so far. And definitely inspirational to us mortals! 1
giemme Posted January 19, 2020 Posted January 19, 2020 Looking very good, Cookie One should always have an INCIDO at hand ... Ciao 1
srkirad Posted January 19, 2020 Posted January 19, 2020 Looking very nice after "transplantation" - I wouldn't be so brave to do this kind of surgery. You sanded down now all those raised panel lines? I think it would be the best way to go for proper rescribing. Cheers, S. 1
Andwil Posted January 19, 2020 Posted January 19, 2020 It may not be easy, but you make it look easy. Very impressive work. AW 1
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