A Guatemalan Pony - Airfix F-51D

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While waiting for the paint to dry on a few other projects, I started eyeing the Airfix P-51D I had sitting on the corner of a shelf with no future plans, and conspired to finish it. After looking over @RidgeRunner's various Guatemalan Mustangs, I decided to model #315.

The Airfix kit isn't the world's finest to build, owing mostly to the softness of the plastic, but the detail and fit are both more than sufficient. I'll certainly be building more in the future.

 

The Blue tail stripes will follow eventually, just the same as with the PT-17 and AT-6. For now I'm glad to add some variety to the collection.

 

Thanks again to Herb for the decals.

 

Stay safe,

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[Corsairfoxfouruncle]

Nice choice sir. 👍🏻

[RidgeRunner]

Very nice :). I’m really pleased to see you pick up the FAG baton! :). It’s looks like you’ve made a great start too! 
 

Martin

[sammy da fish]

Looking good there and interesting subject.

sammy

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On 10/1/2020 at 2:19 AM, RidgeRunner said:

Very nice :). I’m really pleased to see you pick up the FAG baton! :). It’s looks like you’ve made a great start too! 
 

Martin

I've been very happy with it so far, thank you! I'm already planning on at least one more Guatemalan 51, and a WHIF P-38 may follow. Word is they purchased a single one but it never left storage before returning to the US and the warbird circuit.

 

On 10/1/2020 at 3:38 AM, sammy da fish said:

Looking good there and interesting subject.

sammy

Thank you! I've been having a great time making common subjects in uncommon guises lately. 

 

 

 

For an update, she is now on her legs. I had to reconstruct the left-side 315 after the first decal fell off, but that is almost done. Inner gear doors, tailwheel, and (eventually) tail stripes, and then she will be done. I am debating putting stencils on the prop, but I think a few will find a place.

 

[RidgeRunner]

Remember the different shade of the area around the exhausts (different metal). Also 315 had a small NMF section at the base of the rudder. I’m pleased to see the owl badge used :). There is an alternative Aztec badge but the owl is just right, in my view :). Nice work

 

Martin

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11 hours ago, RidgeRunner said:

Remember the different shade of the area around the exhausts (different metal). Also 315 had a small NMF section at the base of the rudder. I’m pleased to see the owl badge used :). There is an alternative Aztec badge but the owl is just right, in my view :). Nice work

 

Martin

I'm still considering adding that other metal strip, but I haven't decided whether I want to use steel or silver enamel to do it. As for the section under the rudder, I have it painted black, but I think I need to make it a little longer based on the photo. Hoping to have this one done tonight other than the gear doors, but then I think I've lost the tail wheel. Hopefully the spares will provide something close enough if I can't find it.

In other news, I bought Dominican decals and an Aires Gun Bay for the Tamiya FB.VI Mosquito, so I should be starting in on that soon. Perhaps I should finish the PT-13, T-6, and P-36 first...

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I've since finished the decals and added the clear parts - hopefully a photo or two will follow this week. I also found a trove of photos of Guatemalan and Dominican P51s, which had me excited, and then I lost my job. A good chance to clean down the stash a little then, even moreso than the other day when I finally scrapped some kits I either couldn't or didn't plan to finish.