Chuck's "Berlin Express" by Monogram in 1/72 is finished.

[Chuck Finley]

Now that my Korean War era RF-51D is almost finished and the month has yet to pass the halfway mark, why not add a pair of P-51Bs to the collection? For the first, I plan on using the Accurate Models repop of Monograms classic 1/72 P-51B. I have a couple others in my stash but the blue box and white box editions still have their original cellophane wrapping and it's hard to open a kit that's older than you are.



Markings will be "Berlin Express" flown by Lt. William Overstreet, 363 FS, 357th FG. (This aircraft was fitted with a Malcolm Hood.

My second P-51B comes from Hasegawa in 1/72 and will bear the markings of Capt. Don Gentle's "Shangri-La". My only question is whether to use Olive Drab/Neutral Gray or British Dark Green over Med. Sea Gray. Which is the right scheme for Gentile's aircraft?

[Chris]

US Drab over neutral gray.

Look forward to seeing it, I suppose you can guess that Don's plane is a fav of mine...

[jssel]

Just a comment about Gentile's 51. The spinner morphed from all white to half red (rear part) half white (front part) and finally to all red at the time he pranged it a Debden.

I do believe that the Accurate Minatures kits are re-pops of the Monogram. Both are very nice even though they lack some details.

You should really enjoy these builds.

[Dirkpitt289]

I look forward to seeing those builds.

[Chuck Finley]

Just a comment about Gentile's 51. The spinner morphed from all white to half red (rear part) half white (front part) and finally to all red at the time he pranged it a Debden.

I do believe that the Accurate Minatures kits are re-pops of the Monogram. Both are very nice even though they lack some details.

You should really enjoy these builds.

You are correct about the Monogram origin as the stand and wing has Mongram imprinted on both. I built the Whitebox edition while in elementary school and it has fond memories of being my first Mustang kit.

[Chuck Finley]

Okay, "Berlin Express" is basically constructed and I'll be adding the canopy and Neutral Grey tomorrow. It is the old Monogram kit and there were some warping in the wing and tail.



"Shangri-La" has been pre-painted and I am waiting for some pre-painted seatbelts and canopy mask before starting construction. I must say Eduard has their hooks in me.




Did I also mention working on a CMR Scimitar at the same time? And it looks like, I'll be starting pre-painting a couple Navy trainers, a TT-1 Pinto and T2V1 Seastar.

[Dirkpitt289]

Excellent work so far

[Chuck Finley]

Two down, one to go. I present the Monogram 1/72 P-51B Mustang as "Berlin Express". Flown by Lt. William Overstreet while with the 363 FS, 357th FG.










I am afraid "Shangri La" has been put on hold while waiting for my LHS to get in the canopy mask and seatbelts that I had ordered two weeks ago.

[Dirkpitt289]

Very nice

[Sissel]

That's a lovely build, Chris. I'd be happy with that
The checkered nose decal must have been difficult. I fear them, never get them right with my shaky hands, so at best been trying to avoid such schemes.

[Old_Tonto]

That turned out very nice. I do like the high backed Mustangs.

[ShaunW]

Nice work Chuck, the P-51B does nicely suit the OD scheme IMHO.