Migrant's Haitian Horse ( F A I L )

[Migrant]

Can't... resist... a Blitzbau. I'll be building the new-tool Airfix 1/72 F-51D, a model which I built earlier this year so I'm aware of its idiosyncrasies. (Not that there are many, I love this kit). The finished model will be a show-horse for my latest set of decals 'Postwar Ponies', of which one scheme is a Haitian civil Mustang that was pressed into military service and carried F-86 drop tanks. I've got the spare tanks from a trashed Special Hobby F-86 (full sad story here...) and also a Quickboost resin seat to drop in.





I thought I had a bottle of Light Aircraft Grey but it seems to have disappeared, so I've found a suitable Xtracrylix replacement. Bottle on the left is some Tamiya white primer, already decanted and ready to spray. Generally Xtracrylix sprays really well but it is prone to adhering more to masking tape than the surface of the model, so a decent primer really helps.



Since today is a holiday here in Canada I'm hoping for a fairly undisturbed day. The only caveat is that we're in the middle of selling our home, so should there be a showing I'll have to pack everything up and vacate the house for a while. Seems unlikely on a long weekend though, most people are out camping and/or getting drunk. Also, because we've pre-packed quite a lot of stuff I'm scrabbling around to find a suitable clock. May have to settle for a boring old watch if I can't find anything; sorry. Planning to start later this morning.

[Migrant]

So, the build commenced at 0900 with a nice cup of coffee and a Ginger Nut.



Not much photogenic progress after an hour, but lots of clean up has taken place and a lot f smaller parts are ready to paint. There's more flash on this particular kit than there was on the previous one I built. On the last build I managed to snap the control column when detaching it from the sprue. True-to-form, I just made the exact same mistake

[TimJ]

Those control columns are fragile aren't they, I had the same problem when I built mine. I hope the carpet monster didn't get it.

[MarkyM607]

Like your work on the biscuit

[despondman]

Good start. Will be nice to see it in the scheme you have chosen.

[Migrant]

1201: A bit of progress, the cockpit is almost finished and ready to install (once the instrument panel decal is dried). The Quickboost seat is beautiful and would benefit from careful painting, but in the spirit of Blitzbau mine's a bit hurried. In the meantime I've Future'd the clear parts and sprayed several of the smaller parts.





Time for lunch. Sun's out, we're going to find a patio somewhere.

[Migrant]

Thanks for your comments, BTW

[jssel]

Nice one Mike. Best looking timepiece I have seen here in a while.

[TimJ]

Nice work on the interior Mike.

[iggie]

That's looking a mighty impressive start!
Ditto regarding the nice watch comments!

And as the saying goes, you can never have too many









Ginger Nuts

[JamesPerrin]

Great to follow the Master step by step.

[mattbacon]

Top timepiece, but even tippermost-toppermost mug! oh, and the paintwork's not too shabby either ;-P

And what a splendid set of decals for the 1/72 Mustang of your choice, as well...

bestest,
M.

[Migrant]

Thanks guys

1224: Lunch on the patio with my wife lasted a little longer than I planned. But the sun was shining, had a couple of Coronas, and a big steak sandwich with chips for only $4.95... Had no choice really.



1455 Back at the bench now, and the cockpit's done and installed (except for the seat which is just balanced in there for the shot).



1550 Finally some progress, as the fuselage and wing halves are glued together. Once the Tenax has cured I'll clean up the seams and get them all together. Whilst that's happening I'll do a pin wash on the u/c doors/legs and paint the wheels. The fins have also been attached to the drop tanks so we're getting there bit by bit.

[Mikeew]

MMMmmmmMMMMmmmMMMM....STEAK!

Cracking modelling too and the photos are so clear.

[AndrewR]

Cracking steak and the chips are so clear

Storming along Mike