Big Beautiful Doll [1/48 Otaki P-51D]

[KSaarni]

Great picture Bruce!

The tail wheel bay is so cramped anyway, you wont really see anything without a flashlamp of some kind. But that canvas thing, never seen such or then I have just blanked it out of my memory.

- Kari

[Floki]

I have to say I'm surprised that the wheel well fits so good. You made the right decision indeed.

[speedgraflex]

Kari, yes there should be a leather boot on the tail wheel of a WWII Mustang (as far as I know this was to protect the metal strut mechanism from mud and debris). Most reconstructions leave this off. At least as far as I know.

Floki/Clint, yes, the dimensions match so closely I feel the plastic DNA may be shared. One of the photos posted by John does show a far more superior fuselage-to-wing connection, however. Still I like the simplicity or try purity of this kit very much. And the fit of the Airfix wheel well makes me feel more at ease about upgrading the kit without calling overt attention to the changes.

[Stuart]

Just a couple of thoughts to stir the pot - will the main spar piece from the Airfix kit kit in the Otaki wing? And, if you go with that set up you won't be able to use the Airfix main gear doors as the centre rib thing that runs down the centre of the bay is integral to them.

An interesting kit-bash none the less, I'm not sure how much you're gaining but you've got to go with what feels right.

[speedgraflex]

Stuart! Great points. Thank you for asking the same questions I ask myself!! Do ye mean part C16?



I was going to deal with the underwing details straight from the aircraft building playbook first: open the ammo chutes; drill out the landing/identification lights, maybe even set up a secondary brass tube as a sleeve for the pitot tube, deal with the guns first, then I’ll adjust the interior thickness of the wing, which is key to inserting a wing spar. Personally I was going to either use the Airfix part, cut styrene or cut bait, haha, I’m not going to get wrapped up in adding that. I want dihedral, ammo chutes, and landing lights to be my priority—what is most visible. Then I’d like to see if Airfix included a landing light for inside the wheel well. Did they? I have not read the instructions yet... I think reading the instructions may also jinx my process. I like taking things apart and putting them together on the fly.

Regarding the center spar, I’m not feeling the Airfix gear covers and in keeping with the way the bash is progressing I will be using the Otaki covers on the Airfix struts.

[jkim]

Well color me wrong! It looks like the Airfix wheel well fits into the Otaki wings without too much issue. Well done!

[Stuart]

Yep that's the part - it's the main spar.

There is a light actually, it fits to the main spar and is part E08.

[Stikpusher]

Well color me wrong! It looks like the Airfix wheel well fits into the Otaki wings without too much issue. Well done!

Sounds like the engineering between the two kits was close enough for the swap surgery to work easily.

[KennyX]

CASE STUDY II

Should we call this the Otaki/Airfix?





I only stabbed my thumb once doing this. Not bad.

I call it one of the most badass ideas I’ve seen in a long time! I love stuff like this. So far out of left field. This reminds me of something I could consider doing, only on a much bigger level! Frankly, I love it.

[BlackSheep214]

Tissue soaked in glue/water mix if you wanna go that route. Picked up an issue of FlyPast magazine as I heart jumped when I thought it was Big Beautiful Doll on the cover. Nope. Contrary Mary - same outfit and wing as BBD. Looks like I’m gonna have to find another Mustang and build her as Contrary Mary.