Nikola Topalov Posted January 5, 2021 Share Posted January 5, 2021 Hi gents, As I have finally built up enough courage to start multiple builds for the first time (at the moment I'm just finishing a 1/48 Mirage IIIC and building HB's easy assembly 1/48 P-51D), I have also decided to build my first 1/32. Being a sucker for a Mustang, I have chosen Revell's P-51D-5NA for my debut on the 1/32 stage. This will be a practice build for Tamiya's pony waiting in the stash, which would really be a shame to mess up! It would be a shame to mess this one up as well, but not guaranteed! This time I'm also using aftermarket goodies for the first time - Eduard Look IP and seatbelts - so this should be fun. I will probably opt for 363 Fighter Sqn., 357 Fighter Group, 8 AF B6-B ''Desert Rat'' (Cpt. Herschel Pascoe), 1944 - OD over grey. Prior to purchasing the kit I've read good things about it and it should be a fun build. One of the good things is that the wings are full span top and bottom which should ensure correct dihedral with no problem. I have decided from now on to try and always have one 1/32 on my bench at any time, stretching the build for as long as it takes, as I will be building other smaller ones along the way. We'll see how it goes. This will be a loooong build so only the most patient will survive! Anyway, nothing much at the moment except the ''opening credits''... Thanks for looking guys! Best, Nikola 15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackson Duvalier Posted January 5, 2021 Share Posted January 5, 2021 I really like the early -D model Mustangs, this one is supposed to be a fun build. There's certainly lots of potential for added detail. Do you have a stance on the filled vs. unfilled wing joints debate? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
f111guru Posted January 5, 2021 Share Posted January 5, 2021 (edited) Believe I'll sit back and watch. Have a couple of these ponies in my stash. One is planned for a 20th FG if the -5 part of the group. If not I have a few Hasegawa kits also. 32nd scale is not my scale but will watch with interest. So Nikola all the best in your build. Ron VanDerwarker Edited January 6, 2021 by f111guru 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles87 Posted January 6, 2021 Share Posted January 6, 2021 I'm in, if you don't mind. A really good reference for the P-51 is " Building the P-51 Mustang " by Michael O'Leary, if you can find a copy. If you have any doubts about the wing filling this should settle them, they were filled about 30% back from the leading edge. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nikola Topalov Posted January 10, 2021 Author Share Posted January 10, 2021 On 1/5/2021 at 10:49 AM, Jackson Duvalier said: I really like the early -D model Mustangs, this one is supposed to be a fun build. There's certainly lots of potential for added detail. Do you have a stance on the filled vs. unfilled wing joints debate? Hi Jackson, Thanks for taking an interest. As for the wing joints, there is a lot of different information out there so I will have to research it more closely. What I've read so far about the matter, and which is not very much btw, I found out that apparently filling was in the manual so it was 99% done probably. On the other hand, I read that on some older birds which were in service longer the crew chiefs didn't bother to fully replace the putty or at all in some cases. I guess it depends on a specific plane. In short, no idea yet. I guess it looks more interesting with unfilled joints but probably inaccurate. I will have to do my homework on this one. Best, Nikola 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nikola Topalov Posted January 10, 2021 Author Share Posted January 10, 2021 On 1/6/2021 at 6:12 PM, Biggles87 said: I'm in, if you don't mind. A really good reference for the P-51 is " Building the P-51 Mustang " by Michael O'Leary, if you can find a copy. If you have any doubts about the wing filling this should settle them, they were filled about 30% back from the leading edge. John Hi John, Thank you for the filling info and the reference! Appreciated. I will try to check it out. Best, Nikola Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted January 10, 2021 Share Posted January 10, 2021 Hi Nikola, I built this kit last year (with some modifications) and I think you'll enjoy it. If you want to check my build for some reference, it's here: I'll be following this one, it's a nice subject you've chosen 👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nikola Topalov Posted January 10, 2021 Author Share Posted January 10, 2021 6 minutes ago, Alan P said: Hi Nikola, I built this kit this year (with some modifications) and I think you'll enjoy it. If you want to check my build for some reference, it's here: I'll be following this one, it's a nice subject you've chosen 👍 Hi Alan, Thank you very much! I will definitely take a look at your build as it will be of much help. I will probably have more questions along the way. Best, Nikola 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nikola Topalov Posted March 16, 2021 Author Share Posted March 16, 2021 Hi gents, Somewhere in the midst of cockpit works... Best, Nikola 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Bunting Posted March 16, 2021 Share Posted March 16, 2021 Will follow as I have one too and want to do it as a warm up for a Tamiya. Cheers! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nikola Topalov Posted March 17, 2021 Author Share Posted March 17, 2021 Got some leather on... 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spadgent Posted March 17, 2021 Share Posted March 17, 2021 Lovely paintwork.👍 I’m planning one of these too so I’d love to tag Along if that’s ok. Johnny 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nikola Topalov Posted March 19, 2021 Author Share Posted March 19, 2021 Hi gents, I painted the pattern on the to be exposed wooden floor using Tamiya XF-59 Desert Yellow for the base and Vallejo Model Color Red Leather for the pattern. Next is the Vallejo chipping medium followed by Tamiya Rubber Black. I hope for the best. Nikola 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spadgent Posted March 19, 2021 Share Posted March 19, 2021 Nice pattern. I didn’t realise the floor was wooden. Great tip, thanks. 🪵 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted March 19, 2021 Share Posted March 19, 2021 3 hours ago, The Spadgent said: Nice pattern. I didn’t realise the floor was wooden. Great tip, thanks. 🪵 They were usually painted over with a black coating so it would be unusual to see the wood pattern, but I look forward to seeing how the chipping works out @Nikola Topalov, if I could paint wood grain effects that well, I'd have probably left it wooden to show it off 😉 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nikola Topalov Posted March 20, 2021 Author Share Posted March 20, 2021 14 hours ago, Alan P said: They were usually painted over with a black coating so it would be unusual to see the wood pattern, but I look forward to seeing how the chipping works out @Nikola Topalov, if I could paint wood grain effects that well, I'd have probably left it wooden to show it off 😉 It probably needs to be a little thinner and tighter to be properly in scale, but little will be seen through the chipped/worn rubber coating so it's just for an extra effect. When the fuselage is closed up it will go down under in the dark and noone will see it anyway, haha. Best, Nikola 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nikola Topalov Posted March 20, 2021 Author Share Posted March 20, 2021 17 hours ago, The Spadgent said: Nice pattern. I didn’t realise the floor was wooden. Great tip, thanks. 🪵 Thanks. Glad you like it. Yes, the floor was plywood of some sort covered with some rubbery coating. Best, Nikola 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nikola Topalov Posted March 20, 2021 Author Share Posted March 20, 2021 And here's the result: 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nikola Topalov Posted March 23, 2021 Author Share Posted March 23, 2021 Getting there slowly... Very slowly! 🙂 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SafetyDad Posted March 23, 2021 Share Posted March 23, 2021 That's lovely work there Nikola - very impressive! SD 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nikola Topalov Posted March 26, 2021 Author Share Posted March 26, 2021 Office soon to be wrapped up... First time working with PE seatbelts. Man some of those pieces are small! 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Bunting Posted March 26, 2021 Share Posted March 26, 2021 Looking very nice. Are they Eduard seatbelts ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nikola Topalov Posted March 27, 2021 Author Share Posted March 27, 2021 9 hours ago, Bill Bunting said: Looking very nice. Are they Eduard seatbelts ? Thanks Bill! Yes, they are Eduard Look - IP and seatbelts. Best, Nikola Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spadgent Posted March 27, 2021 Share Posted March 27, 2021 All those office parts are looking so good. 👍 Johnny 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nikola Topalov Posted April 4, 2021 Author Share Posted April 4, 2021 Hi gents, The office is finally ready for closing up. Best, Nikola 11 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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