North American J-26 Mustang, Flygvapnet, F16, Uppsala Sweden 1945-46

[Terry1954]

This is the second of two 1/72 Mustangs built for our club theme build this year, and was built specifically for Telford 2019.

 

The other was the Airfix F-51D, RFI here:

 

Building both together was quite an interesting opportunity to compare, and certainly I was able to use the Airfix internal detail as a guide to scratch building similar for the Italeri model, which lacks any real internal detail, except a rather good I/P. I did take some pictures of the additional detail I added at the time, but can't seem to locate them at the moment. If I do find them, I will share. Meanwhile, some of the shots here show the internals completed, most of the sidewalls are added scratch. The biggest challenge on the Italeri Mustang is the fit of the front windshield. Mine required extensive sanding to thin down the area where it meets the front fuselage, and filling in quite extensive gaps.

 

All painting was done with tamiya acrylics, with top and bottom colours mixed to best match a selection of photo's showing Swedish upper surface green and lower surface gery/blue. The only colour ref I had for the Mustang itself was the Xtracolour instructions. Flory washes were used at the end, although dont really show up mush on the upper surface.

 

Decals came from the excellent Xtradecal sheet X72270.

 

 

The result is good enough for me eye!

 

So here she is. A very difficult one to catch the colour properly. The actual model looks lighter and greener to the naked eye, and this first shot seems the best representation of the actual model colour wise, as do pics 11 and 12 below.

 

 

Some detail close up shots

 

 

And finally another shot with its Italian stablemate

 

 

Thanks for looking

 

Terry

[Courageous]

Another goody Terry. The splash of those Swedish markings contrast beautifully the green. Good job.

 

Stuart

[Terry1954]

On 2/19/2020 at 7:54 AM, Courageous said:

Another goody Terry. The splash of those Swedish markings contrast beautifully the green. Good job.

 

Stuart

Cheers Stuart. Yes, the Swedish roundel always looks good on the upper surface green used by the Flygvapnet. I have a few in the stash that will be finished similarly in the form of J-21R, J-28C, J-29, J-32, J-34.......

 

Terry

[stevej60]

TWO  superb ponies Terry!

[Cariado]

Very nice indeed!

 

What was the other option on that decal sheet?

[Terry1954]

1 hour ago, stevej60 said:

TWO  superb ponies Terry!

Thanks Steve. I really enjoyed building both.

 

47 minutes ago, Cariado said:

Very nice indeed!

 

What was the other option on that decal sheet?

Thanks. There are many options on the sheet which is really superb if you like mustangs. In addition to the two I did, you have RAF 1946 Italy, USAAF, 1944 Italy, RNZAF Late 1940's, RCAF 1950's, RAAF 1946, Swiss Air Force 1951, SAAF in Korea, 1952, and Haiti Air Corps 1963. Check it out, Xtradecal 72270. If you are a Mustang fan (post war) you won't be disappointed.

 

Terry

 

PS I forgot. There is also a Somali Air Force option from 1955 - 1960!

[Cariado]

Haiti. Interesting... 🤔