Potato Pete Posted May 17, 2023 Share Posted May 17, 2023 I'l be going with Tamiya's 1/32 P-51D This one has been sitting in the stash for 10 years.... I'll be building it as P-51D-15-NA Mustang, "Alabama Rammer Jammer", s/n 44-15092, 352nd FS, 353rd FG, 8th AF. The aircraft was initially assigned to Lt. Cundy. However he was MIA on March 11,1945 flying another aircraft, when it developed a coolant leak that led to engine failure and fire. He was last seen diving through the clouds towards the North Sea. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Potato Pete Posted May 17, 2023 Author Share Posted May 17, 2023 Some photos... She was later renamed Lulu Belle II as was damaged in forced landing 21st April. Here she is being recovered I'll be replacing the Tamiya vinyl tires with aftermarket - am I right in the pic above the tyres have different tread patterns? I may also replace the instrument panel, not sure. Cheers Pete 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
galgos Posted May 18, 2023 Share Posted May 18, 2023 Excellent Pete, love a Mustang and when it comes with a bit of personal history it’s even more special. Loads of AM available of course! 😀 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trickyrich Posted May 20, 2023 Share Posted May 20, 2023 Now this is pure plastic porn!!! Welcome along with a gorgeous model.....I have been eyeing off one of these like........forever!!! Tamiya at their very best! The only reason I haven't pulled the trigger is the NMF, that scares the out of me!! I guess one day I'll have to try a NMF! Anyway, good luck with the build, I'll be following with very jealous eyes! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Potato Pete Posted May 21, 2023 Author Share Posted May 21, 2023 (edited) And we're off........ Construction starts with the engine, which is later fixed to the cockpit sub-assembly and the whole thing then goes into the fuselage. Considering it's a Tamiya kit, there has been more than the usual bad language. The instructions aren't as clear as they might be (and include a reference to a mysterious "Sprue V" which doesn't actually exist, they mean E) but with patience, a bit of head scratching and some trial and error fitting I eventually got there. The fit is, as expected good and precise although the rows of cylinders do appear to diverge very slightly - is this right? The engine and the supercharger unit are just clipped together for the moment so that I can paint and weather them separately. Oh - and also the magnets which allow various panels to be clipped on and off appear to be missing so I'll be seeking a replacement set. Anyway, hopefully applying paint later in the week. P Edited May 21, 2023 by Potato Pete 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Potato Pete Posted May 21, 2023 Author Share Posted May 21, 2023 On 5/20/2023 at 10:26 AM, trickyrich said: The only reason I haven't pulled the trigger is the NMF, that scares the out of me!! I guess one day I'll have to try a NMF! Know what you mean - it will be the finest rattle-can finish 🙂 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FG2Si Posted May 21, 2023 Share Posted May 21, 2023 Nice start Pete. I'm building the same kit at the moment but it's being converted to a Cavalier Mustang so I get to leave a lot off, including the Packard Merlin. Don't be afraid of a NMF. Yes, they require a bit more prep and thought but they're not that bad. Plus, the wings are mostly silver lacquer so it's just the fuselage that you'd have to worry about. Carl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thom216 Posted May 27, 2023 Share Posted May 27, 2023 That's a good looking power plant straight from the box. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Potato Pete Posted May 27, 2023 Author Share Posted May 27, 2023 (edited) And now with a coat of paint and some weathering Humbrol satin black, and then brushed with Tamiya weathering powders - silver, gunmetal and a little rust. Never used them before but I have to say I'm quite pleased with the result. It's a bit more subtle than my usual dry brushing, knocks back the stain finish a bit and gives a nice lustre to the engine, without it looking as if it's been dragged across the hanger floor. Also got some aftermarket goodies - Barracuda replacement wheels and 108gal drop tank correction set which look fine, and Eduard's Look instrument panel - more of which later. Pete Edited May 27, 2023 by Potato Pete 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FG2Si Posted May 28, 2023 Share Posted May 28, 2023 Great looking Packard Merlin. I like the satin finish you've got on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted May 28, 2023 Share Posted May 28, 2023 What a superb kit Pete,great start on the engine too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Potato Pete Posted June 4, 2023 Author Share Posted June 4, 2023 Slow progress, but progress nonetheless...... Engine now attached to the firewall The two sections are are meant to be joined by a screw and two locating pins which fix the firewall to the back of the supercharger unit. However Mr Genius here used the wrong piece at the back of the supercharger which didn't have the holes for the locating pins, so it's just fixed with the screw. Doesn't appear to be fatal. The engine tilts up slightly but the whole assembly is fairly flexible. It might need need disassembling and judicious trimming later but I think that will be possible. Has anyone else made this kit? At this stage, the engine appears to float freely within the engine bay. Does it get attached to anything later to give it a firm position? Despite my carelessness, ,quite pleased with it overall. Colours based on this rather nice pic And the cockpit, still lacking instrument panel Seatbelts by Eduard, and colours generally muted with some gentle washes, dry brushing and Tamiya Weathering Master powder. As I said, progress is slow, and you do have to pay attention, but enjoying it so far. Off on "hols" for a week, then on to the Instrument panel Pete 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trickyrich Posted June 5, 2023 Share Posted June 5, 2023 gee it does look rather nice, I like the cockpit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mottlemaster Posted June 10, 2023 Share Posted June 10, 2023 On 04/06/2023 at 21:55, Potato Pete said: Slow progress, but progress nonetheless..... I was thinking that your making great progress considering this is a kit to savoir and procrastinate over . Take care when back from holiday as i took only two days away from my half built engines and it took an age to understand the pipework etc . Cheers Alistair Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted June 12, 2023 Share Posted June 12, 2023 Lovely job so far, really neat details in the cockpit and that engine 'dry brush' looks spot on. On 5/17/2023 at 11:02 PM, Potato Pete said: I'll be replacing the Tamiya vinyl tires with aftermarket - am I right in the pic above the tyres have different tread patterns? Yes, the right one is diamond tread but the left one is oval tread. Two sets of resin wheels 😂 (Barracuda offer both types) On 5/21/2023 at 6:01 PM, Potato Pete said: and also the magnets which allow various panels to be clipped on and off appear to be missing Not suggesting for a minute that you're as thick as I am, but I thought this was the case on one of mine, but on further looking in the plastic packets what I first thought was a turned metal pipe connector for the landing gear was actually the magnets all neatly stacked together, so that might be a possibility🤔 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Potato Pete Posted June 14, 2023 Author Share Posted June 14, 2023 On 6/12/2023 at 8:39 AM, Alan P said: Not suggesting for a minute that you're as thick as I am, but I thought this was the case on one of mine, but on further looking in the plastic packets what I first thought was a turned metal pipe connector for the landing gear was actually the magnets all neatly stacked together, so that might be a possibility I absolutely couldn't possibly comment..... 🤣 🤪 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Potato Pete Posted June 17, 2023 Author Share Posted June 17, 2023 So, onto the instrument panel..... Originally I intended to use the Eduard Look instrument panel which is a drop in replacement for the kit panel. However, having got my hands on one, I ended up getting a set of Quinta Studio 3D decals as an alternative. Below, we ave the Eduard panel on top, Quinta below Not sure the photo really shows the full differences but..... The Eduard panel is a beautiful flat matt black piece but to my eye, the dial faces are all distinctly blue, and the surrounding bezels silver grey. General crispness of detail is ok, but not brilliant and the 3D relief a exaggerated. The Quinta decals are applied to the Tamiya panel once you've sanded off the 3D relief. It isn't as absolutely black as the Eduard piece, more a very dark grey, but I prefer the colour rendering of the dials and the bezels are the same colour as the main panel. The 3D relief is more subdued than the Eduard piece, and the crispness of detail is slightly better. So I'll be going with the Quinta option. It's the first time I've used them, but it was hassle free, just sand off the detail on the kit piece and apply the decal. The decals come off the backing sheet very quickly, and are fairly rigid. I fixed them to the kit part with a bit of PVA glue just to be on the safe side. I used the seat belts from the Eduard set , so not totally wasted. You can also get an enlarged Quinta set which includes belts and other bits. In hindsight, that would have probably been the best option. In truth, I tried able to apply the yellow demarcation line between the engine and the flight instruments with three pieces of decal strip on the basic Tamiya piece, but couldn't get it properly straight. Had I been able to, I think the kit piece with so detail painting would have looked nice enough. Anyway, onwards and upwards P 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trickyrich Posted June 17, 2023 Share Posted June 17, 2023 it is interesting to see the two IP's together and yes you can see a difference, the Quinta one may be a bit on the light side colour wise, but to me it looks to be the nicer of the 2. I have used both, the Eduard ones are nice, but you really can't fault the Quinta ones, they are so nice and simple to use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
galgos Posted June 18, 2023 Share Posted June 18, 2023 It’s interesting how the AM instrument panel market, and other features of course, has developed over the years. I love the appearance of both the Eduard and Quinta ones, they are brilliant and add dramatically to the overall look of the cockpit but being “old school and old fashioned” a little bit of me thinks I’m “cheating” when I use them! 😇 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Potato Pete Posted June 20, 2023 Author Share Posted June 20, 2023 On 6/18/2023 at 1:28 PM, galgos said: ...a little bit of me thinks I’m “cheating” when I use them! 😇 Agree entirely. I've glued the Quinta one in place so it isn't coming out, but part of me feels I should have stuck with the kit parts and done the best could with them. Might not have looked as flash, but it would have been mine. Oh, the guilt of AM stuff...... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Potato Pete Posted June 20, 2023 Author Share Posted June 20, 2023 And another thing (it's the wine speaking)...... I'm using the Barracuda cockpit decals to brighten things up, and they're very nice. But if you don't get them set nice and square, they actually detract from the model, which for those of us with failing eyesight and stubby fingers, can be a challenge, although I am getting there. So, being a very average modeller, is it a case of less is more? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Potato Pete Posted June 20, 2023 Author Share Posted June 20, 2023 (edited) Ooooof - we're there - sort of Cockpit and engine assembly complete, quite pleased all told. The instrument panel I fussed about is pretty much hidden anyway... Now on to the cockpit side walls..... P Edited June 20, 2023 by Potato Pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mottlemaster Posted June 24, 2023 Share Posted June 24, 2023 looking good Pete. Those Barracuda cockpit decals make a large impact on detail level . On 20/06/2023 at 23:13, Potato Pete said: The instrument panel I fussed about is pretty much hidden anyway... I bet there is a neck twisting angle it can be seen Cheers Alistair Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trickyrich Posted June 30, 2023 Share Posted June 30, 2023 very nice work indeed!! At least you know all the work that was involved end if it's mostly hidden. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Potato Pete Posted July 10, 2023 Author Share Posted July 10, 2023 (edited) Just spent the evening carefully filling in injector pin marks in the cockpit side walls which I now think were accurately rendered lightening holes..... AAAAAAAAAAARRGH You're allowed to larf........ Edited July 10, 2023 by Potato Pete 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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