Migrant's *Finished* Stang

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Migrant
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Migrant's *Finished* Stang

Post by Migrant »

I photographed this P-51D at the Mesa Air Museum in Arizona a few years ago and have considered modelling it a few times since then, so this sounds like the perfect opportunity. It's a 2-seater so I'll need to modify the cockpit. The non-standard blue-over-silver colour scheme should give it a different look from most P-51s.

Image

Other images:-

Pic 1
Pic 2
Pic 3

I'll be using the new-tool Airfix 1/72 P-51D kit.
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BlohmWolf
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Re: Migrant's Stang

Post by BlohmWolf »

I need a gif to describe my excitement:

Image


I'm looking forward to this.
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gnomemeansgnome
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Re: Migrant's Stang

Post by gnomemeansgnome »

That is one purty Stang.
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VickersVandal
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Re: Migrant's Stang

Post by VickersVandal »

Nice!

I think you should also do the E.V behind it :mrgreen:
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jssel
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Re: Migrant's Stang

Post by jssel »

A pretty pony for sure.
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Migrant
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Re: Migrant's Stang

Post by Migrant »

Thanks guys, yes it's a pretty nice scheme. It appeals to me because it's so inaccurate, from the weird blue camo to the non-standard US markings on the fuselage to the use of Helvetica for the serials, not forgetting the 80s brush-scripty nose art. :-D
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gnomemeansgnome
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Re: Migrant's Stang

Post by gnomemeansgnome »

Not to mention the truncated D-Day stripes. But a P-51 always looks good in BMF and a splash of colour, accurate or not.
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Migrant
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Re: Migrant's Stang

Post by Migrant »

Stage 1 is finished: the kit has been acquired:

Image
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Sissel
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Re: Migrant's Stang

Post by Sissel »

Am I allowed to say it's very cute!? :ha:
Special scheme. And that is a great kit you've chosen. You'll enjoy this build.
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Migrant
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Re: Migrant's Stang

Post by Migrant »

Thanks Sissel, yes it is a nice kit. Not without its foibles, but great value for money :)

'Stang' is a two seater so the first job was to saw off the radio/battery behind the pilot's seat and extend the floor. I've no references of how it looks so I'm making it up as I go along. The second seat is just a generic True Details resin bucket seat: it'll do.
Image

Lovely sidewall detail in the kit, I just added a couple of placards and painted what was there.
Image

Here's how it fits into the fuselage half:
Image
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Sissel
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Re: Migrant's Stang

Post by Sissel »

Beautiful interior. You make it look so easy.
Great start!
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Molly-new
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Re: Migrant's Stang

Post by Molly-new »

Very smart looking cockpit, I had to go back and check the scale as I thought it was a 1/48 the detailing is so good.
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BlohmWolf
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Re: Migrant's Stang

Post by BlohmWolf »

Stirling work.as ever. I'm also looking forward to seeing your project in AMW Feb. Edition!
"Can not finish a model at all"

"You can get more of what you want, with a kind word and a wallet, than just a kind word".

Currently Building: FROG Wildcat, Fokker DR1 Red baron and some other things...
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Migrant
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Re: Migrant's Stang

Post by Migrant »

Thanks for the replies! I've made a bit of progress.

The fit of the wings to the fuselage is extremely tight; good for no filler at the wing roots, bad because it results in virtually no dihedral. By sanding the mating surfaces down I was able to achieve a slightly looser fit and then using masking tape, induce some dihedral. The glue's dried and the wings appear to have stayed in the right position. Image
Image

I'd have preferred the canopy/lower frame to have been one clear piece to mask/paint, but in common with many other P-51D kits Airfix have moulded it in two parts. To keep the joint clean and (hopefully) minimize refraction I painted the edges black before gluing it to the lower frame.
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At close of play today, this is where I'm at. Windscreen was a nice tight fit and is glued in position awaiting masking, as is the rear canopy section. Rudder's on (another tight fit) and I cut off the nubby-guns and drilled out the holes to take sections of hypodermic tubing. Once the masking's done I'll give it a primer coat of Tamiya White Primer.
Image
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BlohmWolf
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Re: Migrant's Stang

Post by BlohmWolf »

Perfect freehand canopy. Just perfect.

The pebbled finish on airfix kits is one of the best features for the kit. IMHO.
"Can not finish a model at all"

"You can get more of what you want, with a kind word and a wallet, than just a kind word".

Currently Building: FROG Wildcat, Fokker DR1 Red baron and some other things...
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