SPA Modeler

This is going to be OOB, other than a little extra work around the engine details and pit...no aftermarket.

I am still not a fan of Trumpeter...weird mold seams, enough detail for a "start" but they seam to stop short...and accuracy issues all over the place. Regardless...it'll look like a P-51D when it's done!

Starting in the pit, wires added to the gear behind the seat, seat back (yellow) added, belts are tape (rather than the included PE). The I.P. needed some help as well. Some of the holes for the instruments needed to be drilled out, as they were stupidly small. I used acetate instruments from the scrap box.









The "tunnel" behind the radiator needed to be scratched. the kit parts fit was awful...gaps down the sides and about a 1/8th" gap and step at the rear of it...stupid!

New side walls with sheet styrene, along with a runner to stop the "roof" piece when it goes in later.



The engine isn't terrible...but NEEDS a lot. Aside from the wires/plumbing you can see...this is all they give you. An incorrect oil tank, basic engine, and engine mounts. No framework for the cowling panels.



Scratched up the framework...



...and that's where she sit right now.

Right on Fermis! This is a kit that you don't often see due to the other kits available in this scale (Tamiya, Z-M, Revell). Very interested to see your take on the Mustang. And should be a cool contrast as an OOB versus your AM-loaded Widow.

Looking good....

It might not be my scale but it's a Fermis build! Awesome work already my friend. I'll be taking some notes as I have the see-thru P-51 in 1/32 scale that I'll be doing sometime in the future. I won't do a ton of aftermarket either; it'll be mostly OOB so I want to see this for ideas on the best way to improve mine.

Bring it on man!

Looking good! I really enjoy your work and scratch building. I am worried, though. Haven't seen an Arizona Tea can in a while.

speedgraflex wrote:Hey bud, some beautiful scratchbuilding work here, in addition to your killer paint and weathering efx! Was the choice of kit yours to wrestle with these issues, because dang it, you are working a few wonders. All the best.

Not my choice! This kit came with a "lot" that I bought a few years back. I have a customer who likes Trumpy kits (I pretty much hate em)...anyway, the 51 was one on his list. Having this kit on hand, I'm happy to pass it on. Ultimately, this build will end up right between San Diego and L.A....alongside the and a couple others!


Movin along...

Ready to paint!




Started with an over all "Magnesium" (MM Metalizer). This is a fairly dark shade, compared to "Aluminum", and act, somewhat, like a pre-shade.



I sprayed "highlights" between the rivet lines with various shades (steel, aluminum, and aluminum plate), with a final very light coat overall, to tone down the darker magnesium.

You can see the difference on the inner wing panels (which will be OD)





Next will be a gloss lacquer, so I can mask (safely!) and paint the other colors.

LyleW wrote:Looking good! I really enjoy your work and scratch building. I am worried, though. Haven't seen an Arizona Tea can in a while.

It's in there! I just quit mentioning it!

So this will end up somewhere between San Diego ans LA? Cool! Too bad you can't hand deliver it; I'd be thrilled to show you around!

Brilliant work on the metal finish. What a magician you are!

Fermis wrote:

LyleW wrote:Looking good! I really enjoy your work and scratch building. I am worried, though. Haven't seen an Arizona Tea can in a while.

It's in there! I just quit mentioning it!

I just thought the same thing: where is the tea can!