An (not at all crap...ish) Airfix P-51D

[tempestjohnny]

I'd really like to get this kit also. The version of Cripes A Mighty in this kit is not often built. It's usually his later version with the fillet

[Stuart]

I am really, REALLY stoked about this!!!!!

Good - it's your fault.

I wouldn't get your hopes up too much though, you've not seen me knacker the NMF yet!

I actually have a good mix of eras in my finished models. Course with five modern and one WW2 model on the bench that'll change.

I don't think that's a bad thing Mike, it keeps the skills up and its easy to burn out on one subject, and I love your modern and your WWII builds - that B-17 will be great when you're done.

Personally, as much as I'm into WWII (and always have been), I've always loved Jets - especially later Cold War types. The GR.3 isn't going anywhere, it's sat next to my workbench. Once I get these two ISO audits out of the way at work (the down side of working two jobs) I'll get stuck into it - it's going to be a full rescribe job with some additional detail to add.

Well it’s about time that Airfix released this! You could see from the tooling of the original kit that the early D without the tail filet was coming out one day.

I’ll enjoy watching this build of yours.... might have to pick one of these up for myself when they arrive on this side of the world.

Thanks Carlos. It's an interesting break down as you'll see from the sprue shots when I post them up. The new tail is on a small sprue all by itself. The filleted tail is still in the kit, along with two tyre options. There're also some parts for a British version on the sprues too - so what out for that.

Eager to see about this. I've got 5 of the new ones in the stash. Not the new new just the new. $19 at Hobby Lobby who could pass that up.

5! Wow! It does look like a nice kit, if a bit complicated, but if the fit is good it should build really nicely. Looking forward to seeing yours built.

I'd really like to get this kit also. The version of Cripes A Mighty in this kit is not often built. It's usually his later version with the fillet

Cool - it's a shame I don't do anything with resin, as I'd take a moulding from the sprue and cast some for you.

[Stuart]

Sprure Shots...

This is the new small additional sprue with the fillet-less tail and what looks like some radio bits. I've not unpacked the clear sprue, but for some reason it has three canopies. I assume one is the slightly larger blown hood but I'm not sure about the other - time will tell.





This is the first sprue - as you can see there's only the cuffed prop. I suspect a RAF boxing will be in the offing soon, as their are some other parts that would suggest it, I'm sure the uncuffed prop will be included then.





This is the next sprue with the main parts on it, as you can see the surface detail is really nice. However, I'm sure I can fill all detail up with paint!







On to the next sprue, again I thought the detail on the underside of the wings was nice, as are the sidewalls. But look at the inside of the U/C doors - that's a great bit of moulding (this is AIrfix remember).

What does annoy me is that you don't have the option of closing or half closing the main U/C doors (not that I can see from the sprue anyway), they have to be open. The doors actually dropped SLOWLY after engine shut down and the built up hydraulic pressure reduced - so if you look at photos of P-51s you'll see as many closed or half closed as you do fully open. Perdonally I like to build my 'Stangs with the doors up or ajar, but I can live with it for that detail.

What's interesting is that there are also TWO filleted tails - I'm not sure why, one doesn't seem to be any bigger... Anyone know?









Last sprue - the one with all the fiddly bits. The IP looks really good and Airfix supply decals to go over the top. Like John's 262 I suspect it'll look good when done properly.

You also have two sets of wheels with what looks like different tread types.







I'm not sure about the moulded on seatbelts though, I was going to add PE belts even though I hate them, but removing these would cause some damage just like Mike's Hornets. I'll see what they look like after paint and a wash, hopefully okay - I didn't see any lap belts though



These are the parts make me think there's an RAF version on the way. There are two styles of vent for the cowling vents included, one RAF and the other USAAF - although off the top of my head I can't remember which is which and why they were different.



Over all I'd say the kit looks pretty damn nice - it's supposed to be one of Airfix's best, next to the P-40 and the Sea Fury (both of which I'd like to build).

The decals look good. I'm not sure I'll use the D-Day stripes though, I may paint them - see below.



And it's the new style instructions, which I'm not too sure about yet, I'll see how I get on.



Marking options for two versions.





As much as I like a Blue Nosed Bastard, I'm going to go for Lou IV. I've always liked that scheme since I saw an RC 'Detroit Miss' build years and years ago. I might put a twist on it though and paint the full invasion stripes as worn on D-day, rather than just the undersides (as the tops were painted out).I need to do some research though.

Anyway, there you go, hopefully I can make a start soon.

Cheers!

[jkim]

Alright! Always interested in seeing a new mold kit being built up!

[Medicman71]

Why do they keep adding molded on seatbelts? I wish they'd just leave them off. Not sure I like the instructions. The ones in my Mustang are the same way. Seems confusing.

Oh and correct me if I'm wrong (I'm a jet guy remember) but aren't all the panel lines on the wings of Mustangs puttied over? So why add all those panel lines?

[Stikpusher]

Yes, the panels on the Mustang’s wings were puttied over and sanded smooth, then lacquered over. They were not bare metal. This was part of the laminar flow design.
Why do companies include this detail? Because modelers “demand” this sort of thing nowadays, along with recessed rivets, whether accurate or not.

[Stuart]

Yeah I meant to mention that - it does seem stupid, but then every other 'Stang kits I've seen was the same, except possibly the old mono kit. Ironically the raised panel lines on that kit probably better represent a puttied seam...

Mike, I know what you mean about the belts, but I'll see how they turn out. I'm not a big fan of Airfix's new style instructions either, I'll see how I get on.

[BlackSheep214]

Following this one...

[Medicman71]

I have a pic somewhere on the computer that shows the seams to fill on the wings.

[Stuart]

That would be cool if you can find it Mike!