Hasegawa 1/32 N.A. P-51D "Cripes A' Mighty" IV SN 44-14906.

[jkim]

Fun goodies! You are quickly stocking up on your modeling arsenal, aren't you? I have no problem buying stuff for modeling because it tends to be "relatively" cheap. Compared to our other hobby (photography), modeling supplies are nickel and dime.

Warning about the SAC gear. I've ready pretty crappy reviews... no added detail as they are molded directly from the kit parts... soft metal that is easily bendable. Never used SAC myself so that's just secondhand info. On the other hand, I've had positive experiences with the metal legs from G-Factor and Eduard.

There are different ways that you could add brass tubing for the exhausts. I'm thinking that it would be difficult to cut the existing exhaust stubs and the new brass tubing at precise enough angles. It might be easier to cut off the existing pipes completely and drill holes all the way through the base part so that you'd have some wriggle room for adjustments (length AND angle).



Sorry for mucking up your beautiful hand drawing with the crappy Powerpoint graphics.

[speedgraflex]

Feel free to add information every time.

I am thinking this is the way to go, John. Maybe what I should do is make a form using two sheets of plastic card sized to the kit part as a template?

Also — thank you for your insight into SAC, I was wondering if I even have the parts on the sprues which I need to verify. Maybe I can strengthen the white metal with rod? It is a heavy beast!

[jkim]

Things get tricky when the part is so small. Hard to repeat precise drilled holes without some sort of guide especially when that tiny part is moving all over the place. I would use a similar-sized chunk of plastic as my mule to see if I could get six parallel holes into it.

Hmmm... on second thought... I think I would drill out the existing exhausts and see what that looks like FIRST. No need to complicate matters if the existing part could be made to work.

[speedgraflex]

!!!!! Yes !!!!!!

[speedgraflex]

[kahunaminor]

I am a big fan of KISS principle and drilling out the exhausts is a good example. They look really good Bruce with the added bonus of simplicity.

[speedgraflex]

Yes. Wise words. I am grateful for them. I am grateful for John’s suggestion; in the end, having to take the long way around to get here was a fantastic experience. Often I think the difference between model builders lies in the area of being direct—the shortest path. Most would not touch this kit on the grounds that better kits exist, but this kit pans up nuggets of gold.

[jkim]

Yup... that's the ticket! KISS is always a good course of action.

[speedgraflex]

[KSaarni]

!!!!! Yes !!!!!!

YES !!

- Kari