Jump to content

1:48 Eduard P-51D “finless” Mustang


Recommended Posts

2 hours ago, Bedders said:

Very much enjoying this build. Lots of really helpful pointers on how to get the best out of this very nice kit. Thanks for doing the pics etc.

 

Justin

thanks Justin

 

this really is a nice kit, I think we've finally got a successor (better) to Tamiya's 1:48 P-51?

 

rgds

John(shortCummins)

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

52525200635_a1d12a6536.jpg

 

I’m using Tamiya LP-11 for the “painted” wings…

52526258952_daa6fbe50b_c.jpg

 

52527204485_2b4b4a5bb9_c.jpg

 

…the trim tabs which were masked…

52527004504_bd3860908b_c.jpg

 

52527004499_28cfeceb3f_c.jpg

 

…and also the elevators and rudder.

52526729681_eccb9f40f4_c.jpg

 

52527204430_1595affe7e_c.jpg

 

LP-11 was also used for the “paper” fuel tanks.

52527204410_9c76763570_c.jpg

 

 

Next, I’ll be attempting the NMF for the fuselage.

 

until next time

as always, any suggestions, criticisms or comments will be gratefully received.

rgds

John(shortCummins)

  • Like 9
Link to comment
Share on other sites

52527004444_dae3e6cc85.jpg

 

I’m using various Xtreme Metal colours for the NMF, the “base” will be AK479 aluminium.

Before applying the base aluminium colour I masked the wings and re-applied the GX2 where I’d over-sprayed the LP-11.

52529165921_999af7cc21_c.jpg

 

52529645670_b9a9b3c6a9_c.jpg

 

AK479 was then applied in a couple of light coats.

52529328986_a3358809fb_c.jpg

 

52529617134_504f7f7d5b_c.jpg

 

52529809405_eb51187b9a_c.jpg

 

52529617104_c4fb34e3e2_c.jpg

 

52529876308_26b282ab61_c.jpg

 

52529809370_1527e3166c_c.jpg

 

52529617094_2a45ce11ae_c.jpg

 

 

 

Next, I’ll be adding different aluminium shades to various panels.

 

until next time

as always, any suggestions, criticisms or comments will be gratefully received.

rgds

John(shortCummins)

  • Like 12
Link to comment
Share on other sites

That went on nicely :) I'm about to try the Xtreme Metals myself, I'll be using the same aluminium base you've used here to be the airframe colour under the paint chips on my P-38's

 

James

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 hours ago, 81-er said:

That went on nicely :) I'm about to try the Xtreme Metals myself, I'll be using the same aluminium base you've used here to be the airframe colour under the paint chips on my P-38's

 

James

build the opacity up in thin layers and you won't go far wrong

 

rgds

John(shortCummins)

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

52529617079_241a848a5e.jpg

 

Whilst browsing the old inter-web I came across this photo that shows various panels appearing as different “shades” of aluminium…

52531808230_e526640f9a_c.jpg

…so I thought I’d use it as a guide for painting my aircraft

 

I have several different Xtreme Metal aluminium shades, I will use these to differentiate some of the fuselage panels.

 

     AK478 - white aluminium

     AK480 - dark aluminium

     AK482 - duraluminium

     AK488 - matt aluminium

     AK477 - chrome (not sure if I’ll use this shade)

 

     AK476 - steel used for the exhaust panel

 

Post-it notes, liquid mask and Tamiya tape were used to mask the panels and then the different were shades applied…

AK476 - steel

52530861027_c6b61a1609_c.jpg

 

52531616729_e941fe435a_c.jpg

 

AK488 - matt aluminium

52531808185_0a274ff518_c.jpg

 

AK482 - duraluminium

52530861022_22e674071e_c.jpg

 

AK480 - dark aluminium

52530861012_248670f393_c.jpg

 

AK478 - white aluminium

52530860972_a8c7bc05f3_c.jpg

 

Mask(s) removed…

52531878228_f1a70f4e79_c.jpg

 

52530860947_3793af125a_c.jpg

 

 

Next, I’ll be adding the anti-glare and red nose paint.

 

until next time

as always, any suggestions, criticisms or comments will be gratefully received.

rgds

John(shortCummins)

  • Like 10
Link to comment
Share on other sites

52531808135_0319cc1406.jpg

 

The anti-glare panel was first, I used MrColor H52 olive trap 50/50 MrLeveling thinner…

52532012878_0bc3552edb_c.jpg

 

…’highlights’ were added with a couple of drops of MrColor H326 yellow added to the thinned H52.

52530996092_0ced546324_c.jpg

 

52531941965_a4140f2246_c.jpg

 

I tried spraying the red directly over the aluminium, olive drab and black (primer on the spinner) colours however there was a very obvious difference in the red, caused by the underlying colour? So I applied a base colour of white.

52533605369_877ea3b7db_c.jpg

 

52533866723_b98dffb890_c.jpg

You’d think that white wouldn’t give better coverage than a darker colour?, however

 

Once the white had dried I masked for the “red nose” and sprayed MrColor 003 red 50/50 MrLeveling thinner.

52533638814_da4e02c16c_c.jpg

 

The red was also applied to the spinner.

52533358466_e7ac174d4a_c.jpg

 

 

 

Next, I’ll be adding the invasion stripes.

 

until next time

as always, any suggestions, criticisms or comments will be gratefully received.

rgds

John(shortCummins)

  • Like 11
Link to comment
Share on other sites

52533638799_2a2ba833f6.jpg

 

Before attempting the invasion stripes I fixed the ailerons, elevators and fin.

52533053212_64fa3730ae_c.jpg

 

52533053197_28a17deccc_c.jpg

 

52533521056_3bdefaf2da_c.jpg

 

I masked for the white areas and sprayed a mix of MRP 004 white and a couple of drops of MRP 256 bleached linen to make a slightly off/dirty white.

52535361881_09c4a4a0d7_c.jpg

 

52535904328_81d0bc6e49_c.jpg

 

I’ve deliberately made the off white slightly blotchy, my thinking is that the invasion stripes were applied at the airfield rather than the factory?, so the paint wouldn’t have been “perfect”?

 

Following this theme the “black” was a mix of MRP 077 NATO black with a couple of drops of MRP 59 RLM 66…

52535680336_8eda09f43e_c.jpg

 

52535969234_a24a043ea5_c.jpg

 

…mask(s) removed.

52535210912_2b9709d878_c.jpg

 

52535210962_9161bc335d_c.jpg

 

52536152905_01877866b2_c.jpg

 

 

 

Next, I’ll be adding the decals.

 

until next time

as always, any suggestions, criticisms or comments will be gratefully received.

rgds

John(shortCummins)

  • Like 12
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi John, the 'white' looks just right to me, but the 'paper' tanks may be a little dull. I have an excellent book called ' Fighter Command ' which is full of period colour photos of WW II USAAF aircraft and shows the tanks to be painted really bright silver.

 

John. 🇺🇦

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

7 hours ago, Biggles87 said:

Hi John, the 'white' looks just right to me, but the 'paper' tanks may be a little dull. I have an excellent book called ' Fighter Command ' which is full of period colour photos of WW II USAAF aircraft and shows the tanks to be painted really bright silver.

 

John. 🇺🇦

thanks for the tip, I'll have a look at trying LP-11 with levelling thinner rather than rapid thinner? levelling thinner tends to make the paint more "glossy" while rapid thinner makes it "flatter". Alternatively I may try a light mist coat of white aluminium, that should make them brighter without making them look metallic? I'll have a play and see what works best.

 

rgds

John(shortCummins)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, 81-er said:

Those invasion stripes look very good indeed, John, nice work on those!

 

James

thanks James

 

I think that "pure" black and white would have been too stark, having said that the stripes look black and white 🤪

 

3 hours ago, Pete in Lincs said:

That's me caught up, John. Looking good mate.

thanks Pete

 

if you ever get the itch to build a 1:48 Mustang I can't recommend this kit highly enough!

 

rgds

John(shortCummins)

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Some really good stuff here. I tried Alclad NMF on my Mustang and it just ended up melting somewhat so great to see a better example. 

 

With the differing panel shades, is there any form of pattern or symmetry used or is it rather random?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, TeaWeasel said:

Some really good stuff here. I tried Alclad NMF on my Mustang and it just ended up melting somewhat so great to see a better example. 

 

With the differing panel shades, is there any form of pattern or symmetry used or is it rather random?

I've painted both sides of the aircraft the same, I've painted adjacent panels the same shade, however I chose the "aluminium shades" at random, does that make sense?

 

I used this photo...

52531808230_e526640f9a_c.jpg

 

as a reference and tried to make the panels "more or less" match the different shades shown in the photo, however I didn't follow the "brightness" or "dullness" depicted and just chose different colours to help "break up" the overall effect.

 

in the past I've tried Alcalds but couldn't get on with them, I also found they were very fragile, picking them up left finger marks!, these Xtreme Metals are far easier to work with, they spray beautifully providing you spray in thin coats building up the effect.

As a hang-over from using Alclads I still handle the model wearing gloves and try to check my gloves for any paint or other detritus before handling the aircraft, on the odd occasion I've not checked I end up with a smudged paint mark transferred to the model and a quick expensive visit to the swear box.

 

rgds

John

Edited by shortCummins
  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 hours ago, shortCummins said:

I think that "pure" black and white would have been too stark, having said that the stripes look black and white 🤪

They do, but scale-appropriate and not overly stark.

 

As for Alclad, I’ve used them a fair bit (and absolutely love their black primer), but wholeheartedly concur on the fragility of the finish. The look great but need protecting. Having just tried the AK Xtreme Metal (wonderfully named for a fan of extreme metal music like myself), I have to say it’s gone on just as nicely as the Alclad. I’ve yet to thoroughly test the durability of the finish, but initial impressions are indeed that it’s tougher.

 

James

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, shortCummins said:

I've painted both sides of the aircraft the same, I've painted adjacent panels the same shade, however I chose the "aluminium shades" at random, does that make sense?

 

 

 

That makes sense, thanks for the tips. Will definitely give the AK metals a go. 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Oh great, now I want to build a P-51. 🤬 But I will resist, too many other kits started need to get finished first. 🤥 🤣 Great work so far, the varying shades look very convincing. As for Alclads, I use them  exclusively for NMF finishes and have yet to have any fragility problems....look at me dancing on a land mine. 😬 They are a huge improvement over Model Master's Metalizers. May just break down and try the AK stuff at some point.

  • Haha 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

52535969204_faf06570d6.jpg

 

The decals supplied with this weekend kit are digital printed by Eduard themselves, “in theory” the carrier film can be peeled once they have fully set, although Eduard don’t “officially*” recommend this, we’ll see how it goes?

 

For this decalling session I’m only going to apply the scheme specific ones.

Before removing the carrier film.

52538418278_d468fbb651_c.jpg

 

52537406782_444ef6f8e2_c.jpg

 

52537871141_d9ed49e2aa_c.jpg

 

The main reason for this scheme…

52538346325_2ac7f07bba_c.jpg

 

This is the only decal, so far, where the carrier film is visible.

52537406757_4228f0c007_c.jpg

 

I left them to fully cure overnight and then tried to gently peal away the carrier film by using a “new” scalpel blade to lift a corner and then tweezers to remove it.

52539608224_45bebffde5_c.jpg

 

Carrier film removed…

52539608219_9813796506_c.jpg

 

52539310401_9ffc204e54_c.jpg

 

Will Patterson also mentioned on his YouTube channel that you can dissolve the carrier film with “mineral spirits”, not being American I can’t, reasonably priced anyway, easily get hold of mineral spirits however Google tells me that the “British” version is “white spirit”, luckily I had a bottle of this in the shed.

So I tried applying the white spirit with a cotton bud to see if it is easier, could be useful for the “stencils”?

52539793955_d8d7c7035a_c.jpg

 

The removal of the carrier film worked well however the white spirit?, could have just been over exertion with the cotton bud? I rubbed along the panel to try and make it uniform.

 

*It’s worth noting that Eduard don’t recommend removal of the carrier film however in one of their monthly magazines, May 2021 pages 52-61, they provide detailed instructions on how to remove the carrier film.

 

 

 

Next, I’ll be attempting to repair the damaged aluminium panel.

 

until next time

as always, any suggestions, criticisms or comments will be gratefully received.

rgds

John(shortCummins)

Edited by shortCummins
  • Like 7
Link to comment
Share on other sites

52538850662_d429b8633d.jpg

 

I used the transfer paper to trace the outline of Donald…

52538902552_e05a90ba35_c.jpg

 

…the outline was cut out and the transfer paper taped in place…

52539361281_4fa58c53a2_c.jpg

 

…Xtreme Metal AK479 aluminium applied…

52539361271_a593ff4f2c_c.jpg

 

…repair complete.

52539361266_7f3de7540f_c.jpg

 

Its not perfect but a lot better than before.

 

 

 

Next, I’ll be adding the “stencil” decals.

 

until next time

as always, any suggestions, criticisms or comments will be gratefully received.

rgds

John(shortCummins)

  • Like 7
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've been lurking with this one and marvelling at the fabulous work done.

It looks utterly brilliant and what a fantastic save on the nose.

One word of caution, I also saw the Will Pattison video and have used it to good effect, but as AK Xtreme Metals are enamels and not lacquers the white spirit will react with them and lift them.

Hope this helps,

 

Cheers,

Alistair

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...