1/48 Airfix P-51D “Cheesecake Chassie”

[speedgraflex]

it is pretty amazing how far the flaps droop when the hydraulics are switched off...

[kahunaminor]

Why is it the closer to the end you get, the more frustrating the build becomes? In the past 48 hours I think I have spent more time on repairing than building. The resin tail wheel snapped so after valiant attempts to use the resin, I went with a re shaped staple. I spent about an hour preparing, attaching, re attaching and when it finally looked the goods, I dropped the build as I was turning it over in the jig. Now I had the tail wheel, one of the main wheels, wheel cover, antenna mast to repair. Took a deep breath and start again. Once that was done peeled off the canopy masks and found a tide mark so out with the Pledge (Future) and a micro brush. Anyway here she sits:





















No antenna wire as although the profile shows one, the period photos of this and other unit aircraft do not so one less task. I left the aircraft in it’s gloss finish and flat coated the anti glare panel, prop and spinner, M10 launchers, wheels, drop tanks and inner gear doors just to add some variance. I am not sure if I should have made it all uniform but it is now getting to the point where I just want it finished.

Regards,

[speedgraflex]

Hey Kent, hullo, mate—I saw these photos earlier on my phone and just thought, "INCREDIBLE!" and then—only then—did I read your narrative and I thought, "Still, despite what happened in the past 48 hours, that plane looks INCREDIBLE!"

For what it's worth... I just think, "INCREDIBLE."

Beautiful textures and tonalities on all the different surfaces—and a Mustang is really diverse when it comes to surfaces—and a terrific overall feeling of completeness; of "this looks right at any scale," and truly, mate, I know the last 48 hours may have been rotten for you, the aircraft however—WOW, sir, the aircraft looks INCREDIBLE.

So take a breather, tap a brew, let the air out of your lungs a little because, Kent—WOW. INCREDIBLE.

[kahunaminor]

Hey Kent, hullo, mate—I saw these photos earlier on my phone and just thought, "INCREDIBLE!" and then—only then—did I read your narrative and I thought, "Still, despite what happened in the past 48 hours, that plane looks INCREDIBLE!"

For what it's worth... I just think, "INCREDIBLE."

Beautiful textures and tonalities on all the different surfaces—and a Mustang is really diverse when it comes to surfaces—and a terrific overall feeling of completeness; of "this looks right at any scale," and truly, mate, I know the last 48 hours may have been rotten for you, the aircraft however—WOW, sir, the aircraft looks INCREDIBLE.

So take a breather, tap a brew, let the air out of your lungs a little because, Kent—WOW. INCREDIBLE.

You are too kind Bruce,

I have taken a second look and there a lot of good points and some not so good. It is what it is and I take away some lessons for the next build.

Regards,

[speedgraflex]

Hi Kent!

A few questions, if you don't mind? I am curious!

What do you consider the high points of the kit itself and are there any areas that require some extra finesse work? (I have an unbuilt kit tucked away until such time as I see fit to explore it!)

What lessons have you learned from the project?

Thanks in advance.

[kahunaminor]

Hi Kent!

A few questions, if you don't mind? I am curious!

What do you consider the high points of the kit itself and are there any areas that require some extra finesse work? (I have an unbuilt kit tucked away until such time as I see fit to explore it!)

What lessons have you learned from the project?

Thanks in advance.

Hmmm good questions. In general, I found the kit a well engineered, great representation of the aircraft. I am no Mustang expert but it looks all good to me. Good basic techniques will render a good looking airplane. Calling out the high points are really too many as it is a great kit. The decals are great, the detail in the cockpit is good for injection moulding constraints, join lines are along real panel lines, instructions are clear etc. In a product that good, weak points are minimal and probably pedantic but the seat, a strange checkered pattern and overly thick side supports. The patterned tyres that don’t have a pattern all the way are also in need of replacement. The tail fillet needs careful attention as the seam can be a bit tricky here. In hindsight I would like to be able to install the tail wheel later in the build.

As a first NMF build and multipart masks for the markings, I cannot fault the AKI Extreme Metals. They just went on beautifully and gave a great finish. If I wasn’t going to do the black thunderbolts, I probably would not have used Black base under the Aluminium. In the marking, I painted a white undercoat for the stars and bars and then masked for the blue. This left a small but noticeable white border to the blue, very thin but still there. So next time just place the outer masks, blue, inner masks and then white (if that makes sense).

That’s off the top of my head. I hopefully documented anything I haven’t mentioned in the build so a look back through will probably deliver some more salient points. I do wish to thank you for the support and positive comments. I know we all say we build for ourselves but it is nice to get feedback and attention!

Regards,

[jkim]

Sorry to hear about your tailwheel travails and other troubles, Kent. But it looks like you were able to restore her. Sometimes we stumble at the last few hurdles but the finish line is near!

[Stikpusher]

Beautiful work! Cadillac of the skies!