Brad Cancian Posted June 27, 2020 Share Posted June 27, 2020 Hi all, The Australian Capital Territory Scale Model Society (ACTSMS) here in Canberra runs an annual competition called "The Kittyhawk Cup", where all participants must build the same kit, out of the box. This year, the kit selected is the series of Airfix 1/48 Mustangs (any of the boxings). Kits must be built OOB, with the option to utilise other decals. I haven't entered the competition for a very long time, and have no real idea about Mustangs (being mainly a WW1 aircraft guy), but I decided to enter anyways. Not only that, but I also foolishly decided to build not one, but two Mustangs, both at the same time.... eek! I selected their P-51D and Mustang IV. The Airfix kit really is lovely, with few vices. The cockpit and wheels wells are a treat out of the box. The complex fuselage / inserts presented no problems. I had some problems with the fit of the undercarriage bay, which messed with the fit of the under-nose / inboard lower leading edge piece; this was probably my fault, but it did necessitate the use of some filler, some sanding and some re-scribing. The let down with this kit are the wheels – the diamond tread stops well short of the centre of the wheel halves, and this area requires a bit of clean up and re-scribing (which I did a rubbish job on). The only other slightly odd thing in this kit is the canopy – no amount of mucking about could get it to sit right, so I settled for “good enough”. Anyway, the two ponies are now across the line! Onto the final results… The P-51D was originally going to be an OD / Grey camouflaged machine, but eventually was built to represent “Contrary Mary”, 44-474251, flown by Lt.Col Roy Blair Caviness, Commander of the 78th Fighter Group, Duxford, England, August 1945. The decals came from the Lifelike Decals set 48-052. These decals were fantastic, conforming nicely and responding very positively to decal softener. All of the checkerboard markings were masked and sprayed… though I now have a new-found appreciation for compound curves, the result was less than perfect, but it’ll do. The NMF was attempted by using Alclads (6 or 7 different shades in total), which looked lovely, but various clear coats dulled them down a little so it all now just looks ‘silver’. Oh well. There is only one known photograph of this machine, and it wasn’t heavily weathered, so I kept it relatively clean. The Mustang IV was built to represent KH745 “BAE”, flown by Group Captain Brian A Eaton, previously of 3SQN, Royal Australian Air Force. This was his personal aircraft while the head of Number 239 Wing, based in Cervia, Italy, April 1945. He flew this aircraft frequently with 3SQN, RAAF. This machine carried the perforated engine grills, similar to US machines. The decals came from the Freightdog Models “Keeping the Peace Pt.I” set, FSD48009. Again, these decals were lovely. NMF was again Alclads. The pictures of this machine also show relatively little weathering, so I dirtied her up a little, but not too much. So, the two ponies are done. Apologies to all of the Mustang aficionados out there – I know very little about Mustangs so there is no doubt I mucked up plenty of things. I feel the need to paint something drab now…! Thanks for looking, and all feedback welcomed! Cheers, BC 44 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark.au Posted June 27, 2020 Share Posted June 27, 2020 A great pair of mustangs. I’ve one on the go right now and would be very happy to have it turn out like yours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jasper dog Posted June 27, 2020 Share Posted June 27, 2020 Superb, can't imagine the job to get those chequerboard markings going around the cowling. However totally worth the effort! Great work Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpha Delta 210 Posted June 27, 2020 Share Posted June 27, 2020 Lovely pair of Mustangs. I'm mightily impressed with your masking of the chequered areas! I have zoomed in and can't see why you say that they are "less than perfect"!😉 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnT Posted June 27, 2020 Share Posted June 27, 2020 57 minutes ago, Brad Cancian said: Apologies to all of the Mustang aficionados out there – I know very little about Mustangs so there is no doubt I mucked up plenty of things. I feel the need to paint something drab now…! Well if there is mucking up there I can’t see it. Two lovely models there and ones to be proud of. The checkers are brilliant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichieW Posted June 27, 2020 Share Posted June 27, 2020 Well played Brad, these are among the most beautiful Mustang models I have ever seen! By drab, do you mean PC10 by any chance? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ForestFan Posted June 27, 2020 Share Posted June 27, 2020 Lovely builds both of em Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackroadkill Posted June 27, 2020 Share Posted June 27, 2020 Wow, those are lovely! I've got the P-51D kit at the top of my stash at the moment and yours are definitely something to aspire to. Works of art. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAT69 Posted June 27, 2020 Share Posted June 27, 2020 Truly beautiful, and I do mean BEAUTIFUL, builds. Metal finish is excellent and the markings are just gorgeous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wulfman Posted June 27, 2020 Share Posted June 27, 2020 Excellent work on the Mustangs, first class modelling ! Wulfman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon J Posted June 27, 2020 Share Posted June 27, 2020 I can only echo all the complimentary comments posted above and your checkerboard masking and painting is phenomenal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby Posted June 27, 2020 Share Posted June 27, 2020 Both are awesome and inspirational! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Masters Posted June 27, 2020 Share Posted June 27, 2020 I have been admiring your skillset since The Aerodrome days. These do not disappoint. Your usual masterful artistry on display. Outstanding! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted June 27, 2020 Share Posted June 27, 2020 Two outstanding Mustang's BC,beautifully finished quality work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spitfire31 Posted June 27, 2020 Share Posted June 27, 2020 Superior pair of Ponies, and that chequered nose is just fabulous! I wouldn't call it 'mucking up', but NMF P-51:s were not completely natural metal. At least the forward half of the wing up to the mainspar was puttied, sanded down and painted with silver dope – all to create a perfectly smooth surface, without any visible rivets or panel joints, for the laminar flow wing profile to work best. Marvellous modelling! Kind regards, Joachim 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter W Posted June 27, 2020 Share Posted June 27, 2020 Two really well built P-51's, particularly like the Duxford Eagle, the checks really do set that one off. Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-4Guy Posted June 27, 2020 Share Posted June 27, 2020 Loved them both, but the one with checks is an eyecatcher. Great models. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhantomLover Posted June 27, 2020 Share Posted June 27, 2020 Very, very nice Mustangs! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMCS Posted June 27, 2020 Share Posted June 27, 2020 Superb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farmerboy Posted June 27, 2020 Share Posted June 27, 2020 Two absolute crackers, scale modelling at its best! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Cancian Posted June 27, 2020 Author Share Posted June 27, 2020 Thank you all for your very kind words - I am very humbled! Cheers again, BC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KB78 Posted June 28, 2020 Share Posted June 28, 2020 (edited) Absolutely wonderful! I've an Eduard 1/48th Scale P51D that I'm also going to build into "Contrary Mary" (in her current "TF" twin Seater form), can I ask which shades/types/names of Alclad that you used, the type/name of Clear coat & the Drab Green just ahead of the Canopy also? I would really like to use the same ones & (try) to replicate your outstanding build. Beautiful work & thanks in advance! Edited June 28, 2020 by KB78 Paint question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al_the_drummer Posted June 28, 2020 Share Posted June 28, 2020 What wonderful builds. Great job all round! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airbus320 Posted June 28, 2020 Share Posted June 28, 2020 Both absolute beauties! And the checkerboards look perfect to me! Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncan B Posted June 28, 2020 Share Posted June 28, 2020 Fantastic work on both of them, I have just started the Eduard 1/48 Mustang and feel a bit overawed by it as I know nothing about the P-51 at all. Duncan B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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