P-51H "Louisiana Heatwave" in 1/72

[Bedders]

It's almost a year since I last finished a model, but I'm pleased that I've finally got this one over the line after a good couple of years in the making. It's my second go at a P-51H in 1/72, and follows my first attempt in 2016, which is still lurking somewhere here on BM. As before I used the RS Models kit, with quite a few modifications this time, having studied the excellent new Modelsvit 1/48 kit, the David McLaren book on the P-51H, and photos/videos of original and preserved airframes. I robbed the undercarriage legs and some photo-etch for the cockpit from the CMR kit - the only really useable parts I'm afraid - as well as the flaps from an Airfix D-model, slightly reshaped for H purposes. Drop tanks were nabbed from a Hasegawa B/C kit. I also spent a lot of time getting the fin/rudder shape right, as the RS kit is a bit awry in this area. I wanted to model an early USAAF/USAF aircraft rather than a later ANG airframe, and so opted for a recreation of 44-64195 "Louisiana Heatwave" which was flown in around 1947 by former 8th Air Force P-51D pilot Claude Crenshaw. The name came from an old Microscale/Superscale P-51D set, with the letters separated and repositioned in line with photo evidence of Crenshaw's H. Buzz numbers and stars & bars came from Techmod and were excellent. Swastikas were from Kits World. Other decals came from the kit. All in all the model was a lot of work, and for the most part enjoyable.... Still I think it's an improvement on my first effort, which was the main objective. Hope you like it.

 

 

 

 

Although H-model clamshell doors didn't bleed down on shutdown as they did on B/C/D models, they could be lowered for maintenance purposes. So I decided to display them down, really to show off the detail on the inner faces of the doors.

 

 

 

 

 

Some pics from the build:

 

These show the fin/rudder correction under way: making the rudder post truly perpendicular with the direction of travel; making the fin leading edge more vertical with an insert of plastic card, and reducing the height of the fin a touch.

 

 

Lots of filling, sanding, priming, repeat...

 

 

The Modelsvit 1/48 kit was helpful in getting the cockpit into a better state. The RS instrument panel comes up nicely though with some judicious highlighting.

 

 

Almost ready for final priming and then paint (Alclad shades for the NMF and wing sprayed lacquer). I also extended the tailplanes by about 2mm on each side and made them slightly squarer rather than too tapered.

 

 

This is the airframe I was trying to replicate.

 

 

On the basis of that photo I assumed that 44-64195 did not have the tailwheel locked down and doors removed which was a safety precaution of the time. But then just as I was finishing up, I found a better print which confirms that the tailwheel was indeed locked down in this period: 

 

 

Too bad - I'm leaving the doors on now!

 

 

Thanks for looking.

 

Justin

 

 

 

 

[Pete Robin]

A very clean looking build. Nicely done.

Regards

Pete

[Courageous]

Beautiful.

 

Stuart

[109 fan]

Great build, Justin!

[opus999]

This is a beautiful rendition of a subject we don't see enough of.  Very nice work!

[112 Squadron]

A P-51H is indeed a rare sight! My compliments to this perfectly looking built. 👏

[Terry1954]

Fantastic rendition of a challenging kit! Ask me how I know ..... my recently completed RS H is in this section this week also.

 

You really have made an excellent job of this, the finish being particularly superb.

 

Also like the sound of the Modelsvit 1/48 H. I might have to take a look at one of those 🤔

 

Hats off to a fellow H fan!

 

Terry

[Cookenbacher]

Another beauty Justin - your extra scratch work always makes your builds look just right and this is no exception.

[RidgeRunner]

Very nice, Justin. 

[Wulfman]

A very handsome Mustang, great work !

 

Wulfman

[Dric]

Hard work and nice result 👌