1/48 Tamyia P-51B Mustang

Gallery Article by Alan Williamson on Aug 27 2003

 

History
Well there is probably enough history on all the Mustangs on this site, to sink a battle ship, so what say I skip the history?

 

Click on images below to see larger images

The Kit No.42  
Yet again Tamiya has supplied the modeler with a well thought out model of a P-51B Mustang with some extra parts such as, exhaust pipes, canopies and a chose of 108 gallon drop tanks or 500lb bombs. The external out lay of the model is well detailed with crisp panel lines, but the cockpit could do with some more detail.

Construction  
This kit was mostly built OOB with the exceptions of and Eduard zoom kit FE112 to enhance the cockpit along with seat belts and an antenna wire was added from spure. The kit was pretty straight forward in assemble though There were some tricky fits on some parts but patience’s an a little putty and sanding will help to get rid of any unwanted seems. Tamiya gives the modeler a chose of having the elevators up or down I choose down. The other chose are the exhaust pipes and that of the canopies either closed or opened, I had to choose closed because I stuffed up the open canopy. I was not happy, all that eduard set for nothing, it can barely be seen with a closed canopy.   

Painting and Finish 
The overall model was painted in the Humbrol rang of paints which included metal cote, gloss clear, green, gray, gloss clear and matt clear. With the chipped affect I wanted to achieve a very worn out mustang, however I think I might have gone two far. I little to much paint came off with the tape. The decals were that of a chose of three that came with the kit, I choose the P-51B flown by Capt. D. Gentile of the 336th FS, 4th FG. After the decals I finished the model of with gloss clear, matt clear a pastel wash and matt clear again to seal the pastel.

Photos  
Photos were taken with my digital canon camera although on the close up photos have shown up the dust on the model and that was after I thought I cleaned it off. I guess ones there built there really isn’t much for them to do but collect dust. 

Thanks to Steve for publishing my model on ARC. Steve for publishing my model on ARC. 

Alan Williamson

Click on images below to see larger images

 

      

Photos and text © by Alan Williamson