1/72 Tamiya P-51D Mustang

Gallery Article by Zdenek Fabik on Sept 18 2003

 

I built this beautiful bird from the superb Tamiya kit, I used Aires Cockpit Set (7074) a Eduard PE set (72 352). I also used Eduard Express Mask (XS 096).  I wanted to build aircraft in the NMF with some attractive nose art and driven by WWII ace - I have chosen for Capt. Donald R. Emerson's plane "Fighting Duck", serial number  44-13317 (336. FS, 4. FG). Decals were produced by Microscale.

 

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Painting & Markings
I used for basic coat Mr. Surfacer 1000, and the first layer were airbrushed by Gunze Sangyo Mr. Color 8 - silver. A fuselage, tail and some panel of wing (covers of guns, flaps and ailerons were oversprayed by Model Master Metaliser to simulate the NMF. I used Aluminum Plate (1401) and for different view of panels I added little volume of Titan (1404) and Magnesium (1403). Metaliser must be fixed after polishing, I used MM Sealer (1469).

I covered some small panels on tail by self-adhesive aluminum foil. After that I used various kinds of colors (acrylic Aeromaster, synthetic Model Master, Humbrol, Agama - from my in house supplies) for subsequent marking such as anti-glare panel, ID and invasions stripes etc. 

Decals
I used Gunze Sangyo Mr. Mark Softer for applying of decals. I used stencils from TallyHo set.

Weathering
I made various abrasions under use of very fine sand paper and knife (scalpel), furthermore I used oil colors and pastels. The kit is oversprayed by gloss lacquer (NMF) and matt one (colored parts).

Zdenek Fabik

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Photos and text © by Zdenek Fabik