Paul's Pony Pair
- PaulBradley
- Staring out the window
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- Joined: April 6th, 2011, 3:08 pm
- Location: Flagstaff, AZ
Paul's Pony Pair
I'll be doing two models - the new Airfix P-51D in Swiss markings, and the old Airfix P-51B in RAF markings.
Both kits are quite simple, but the B will be for the Coastal Command SIG's Telford display and so will need to have a method of mounting it to a clear plastic rod added to the fuselage during the build.
The B kit was one offered as part of a small range by the Smithsonian Institute in cooperation with Airfix some 15 years ago. I got mine on sale for a couple of dollars from a toy shop that was closing down. (I also bought the old Harrier GR.3 kit from the same series.) I disposed of the box and paints many years ago - I often dispose of boxes and transfer the contents to ziplock bags to save space.
Both kits are quite simple, but the B will be for the Coastal Command SIG's Telford display and so will need to have a method of mounting it to a clear plastic rod added to the fuselage during the build.
The B kit was one offered as part of a small range by the Smithsonian Institute in cooperation with Airfix some 15 years ago. I got mine on sale for a couple of dollars from a toy shop that was closing down. (I also bought the old Harrier GR.3 kit from the same series.) I disposed of the box and paints many years ago - I often dispose of boxes and transfer the contents to ziplock bags to save space.
Paul
За демократію і незалежний Україну
"For Democracy and a Free Ukraine"
За демократію і незалежний Україну
"For Democracy and a Free Ukraine"
- PaulBradley
- Staring out the window
- Posts: 21200
- Joined: April 6th, 2011, 3:08 pm
- Location: Flagstaff, AZ
Re: Paul's Pony Pair
The D model will be finished in Swiss markings. The Swiss bought, or acquired, 130 Mustangs, mostly P-51Ds, which saw service from 1947 to 1957.
I'll be using LF Models decals, bought from Hannants:
I'll probably be using the option at the top, as it has noseart in the form of small dragons, the squadron badge of Fliegerstaffel 16. The aircraft was based at Dubendorf, the current site of the Fliegerflab Museum, which I had the pleasure of visiting in 2013 - http://uamf.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=86&t=7149; The museum houses a P-51D amongst other fascinating exhibits, and I'll post a couple of photos in the reference thread.
I'll be using LF Models decals, bought from Hannants:
I'll probably be using the option at the top, as it has noseart in the form of small dragons, the squadron badge of Fliegerstaffel 16. The aircraft was based at Dubendorf, the current site of the Fliegerflab Museum, which I had the pleasure of visiting in 2013 - http://uamf.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=86&t=7149; The museum houses a P-51D amongst other fascinating exhibits, and I'll post a couple of photos in the reference thread.
Paul
За демократію і незалежний Україну
"For Democracy and a Free Ukraine"
За демократію і незалежний Україну
"For Democracy and a Free Ukraine"
Re: Paul's Pony Pair
Nice choices. Glad your doing your bit to 'upset' the kit collectors.
aLL THE BEST.
gREG
aLL THE BEST.
gREG
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe.
The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits.
Albert Einstein
The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits.
Albert Einstein
- PaulBradley
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Re: Paul's Pony Pair
Cheers, Greg - but I doubt the P-51B has kit collectors in a sweat!
Sprue shots - P-51B:
...and P-51D:
Sprue shots - P-51B:
...and P-51D:
Paul
За демократію і незалежний Україну
"For Democracy and a Free Ukraine"
За демократію і незалежний Україну
"For Democracy and a Free Ukraine"
- PaulBradley
- Staring out the window
- Posts: 21200
- Joined: April 6th, 2011, 3:08 pm
- Location: Flagstaff, AZ
Re: Paul's Pony Pair
Interior of the D - I used a Yaku instrument panel, as they are excellent!
Progress is swift with these very simple kits - I've had no construction issues at all so far:
Spent some time rescribing the panel lines and fairing in the quarterlights on the B. I am replacing the greenhouse canopy with a Malcolm Hood, which someone donated to me - I am so sorry, but I forget who now...
Progress is swift with these very simple kits - I've had no construction issues at all so far:
Spent some time rescribing the panel lines and fairing in the quarterlights on the B. I am replacing the greenhouse canopy with a Malcolm Hood, which someone donated to me - I am so sorry, but I forget who now...
Paul
За демократію і незалежний Україну
"For Democracy and a Free Ukraine"
За демократію і незалежний Україну
"For Democracy and a Free Ukraine"
- iggie
- Modelling Gent and Scholar
- Posts: 23417
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Re: Paul's Pony Pair
Cracking start Paul on both.....and that IP is delightful!
Best wishes
Jim
If you can walk away from a landing, it's a good landing. If you use the airplane the next day, it's an outstanding landing
"Never put off till tomorrow, what you can do the day after tomorrow"
Jim
If you can walk away from a landing, it's a good landing. If you use the airplane the next day, it's an outstanding landing
"Never put off till tomorrow, what you can do the day after tomorrow"
- PaulBradley
- Staring out the window
- Posts: 21200
- Joined: April 6th, 2011, 3:08 pm
- Location: Flagstaff, AZ
Re: Paul's Pony Pair
Cheers, Ig! I agree about the Yaku IP -they are very impressive, and quite inexpensive. A cheap and easy way to upgrade a 'pit.
Paul
За демократію і незалежний Україну
"For Democracy and a Free Ukraine"
За демократію і незалежний Україну
"For Democracy and a Free Ukraine"
- PaulBradley
- Staring out the window
- Posts: 21200
- Joined: April 6th, 2011, 3:08 pm
- Location: Flagstaff, AZ
Re: Paul's Pony Pair
I've been concentrating on my ship build recently, so although I'd made a quick start to these builds, I've not done an awful lot to them since. However, I have a couple of days off and the weekend to get them completed, which I think is very doable. I've done some work on the B - the basic airframe is now complete and I've added the mount for the acrylic rod that forms part of the stand.
First step was to ream a hole in the underside of the fuselage to the correct diameter to insert a tube - I have some 5mm inside diameter soft steel tubing, which will be padded as necessary. I cut this tubing to the depth of the fuselage using a tube cutter, then glued it into place at both ends with superglue.
The end of the tube was slightly proud, but this was sanded back and a little filler added to blend the edges of the slightly ragged hole I'd cut. As the model is very lightweight, I think this will be sufficiently strong for the purpose.
Next up is to prime the models with a light grey, then add the camouflage colours - Dark Green and Ocean Grey for the B and overall aluminium for the Swiss D. That will start later today.
First step was to ream a hole in the underside of the fuselage to the correct diameter to insert a tube - I have some 5mm inside diameter soft steel tubing, which will be padded as necessary. I cut this tubing to the depth of the fuselage using a tube cutter, then glued it into place at both ends with superglue.
The end of the tube was slightly proud, but this was sanded back and a little filler added to blend the edges of the slightly ragged hole I'd cut. As the model is very lightweight, I think this will be sufficiently strong for the purpose.
Next up is to prime the models with a light grey, then add the camouflage colours - Dark Green and Ocean Grey for the B and overall aluminium for the Swiss D. That will start later today.
Paul
За демократію і незалежний Україну
"For Democracy and a Free Ukraine"
За демократію і незалежний Україну
"For Democracy and a Free Ukraine"
- iggie
- Modelling Gent and Scholar
- Posts: 23417
- Joined: July 31st, 2013, 11:04 am
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Re: Paul's Pony Pair
I was getting worried there for a while, but as ever, normal service has been resumed!
Nice work on the socket for the acrylic rod; that should be good and solid
Nice work on the socket for the acrylic rod; that should be good and solid
Best wishes
Jim
If you can walk away from a landing, it's a good landing. If you use the airplane the next day, it's an outstanding landing
"Never put off till tomorrow, what you can do the day after tomorrow"
Jim
If you can walk away from a landing, it's a good landing. If you use the airplane the next day, it's an outstanding landing
"Never put off till tomorrow, what you can do the day after tomorrow"
- PaulBradley
- Staring out the window
- Posts: 21200
- Joined: April 6th, 2011, 3:08 pm
- Location: Flagstaff, AZ
Re: Paul's Pony Pair
Me, too, Ig! I've had a major mojo breakdown, and the ship was all-consuming for a time, plus vacation and extended summer work hours......
Still, I've got the best part of 4 days to get these done. Easy peasy.....
Still, I've got the best part of 4 days to get these done. Easy peasy.....
Paul
За демократію і незалежний Україну
"For Democracy and a Free Ukraine"
За демократію і незалежний Україну
"For Democracy and a Free Ukraine"
- PaulBradley
- Staring out the window
- Posts: 21200
- Joined: April 6th, 2011, 3:08 pm
- Location: Flagstaff, AZ
Re: Paul's Pony Pair
Here's the propeller for the B. This is going to be part of the Coastal Command SIG display at Telford, where it will be mounted on a pole 'in flight' so I am using one of James' patented 'spinning prop blurs.' I am also making the prop removable to aid Transatlantic transportation - I'll be doing the same with my Beaufighter build (see the CC SIG SMW 2016 display sub-forum):
There are four components - the spinner, prop blur and spinner backplate, all mounted to a length of plastic rod. I've also reamed out a larger hole in the front plate of the model (where the spinner would normally be glued to) to accept a length of plastic tubing - this gives greater stability when the prop is slid into place - who wants to see a floppy prop?
Now to the D. Yesterday, I sprayed acrylic Guards Red around the forward rear fuselage, just behind the cockpit, and at the very front of the nose. This has hardened overnight, so I was able to mask it off appropriately with Tamiya Tape (see the decal instruction sheet earlier in the thread for where the red areas are meant to be). I used my trusty ModelMaster Metalizer Aluminium to spray overall, and unmasking the red leaves some nice red bands:
I do like Metalizer - it is quick and easy to use, has pretty fine grain, is pretty hard wearing when set and gives good coverage at the first attempt. Generally - I see I need to go over the port wing again....
Next up is to start the camo on the B, and finish assembly on the D, with the aim of getting decals on that one tomorrow. I should be able to complete the D before the deadline, but the B is dependent on how well the camo painting goes today.
There are four components - the spinner, prop blur and spinner backplate, all mounted to a length of plastic rod. I've also reamed out a larger hole in the front plate of the model (where the spinner would normally be glued to) to accept a length of plastic tubing - this gives greater stability when the prop is slid into place - who wants to see a floppy prop?
Now to the D. Yesterday, I sprayed acrylic Guards Red around the forward rear fuselage, just behind the cockpit, and at the very front of the nose. This has hardened overnight, so I was able to mask it off appropriately with Tamiya Tape (see the decal instruction sheet earlier in the thread for where the red areas are meant to be). I used my trusty ModelMaster Metalizer Aluminium to spray overall, and unmasking the red leaves some nice red bands:
I do like Metalizer - it is quick and easy to use, has pretty fine grain, is pretty hard wearing when set and gives good coverage at the first attempt. Generally - I see I need to go over the port wing again....
Next up is to start the camo on the B, and finish assembly on the D, with the aim of getting decals on that one tomorrow. I should be able to complete the D before the deadline, but the B is dependent on how well the camo painting goes today.
Paul
За демократію і незалежний Україну
"For Democracy and a Free Ukraine"
За демократію і незалежний Україну
"For Democracy and a Free Ukraine"
- iggie
- Modelling Gent and Scholar
- Posts: 23417
- Joined: July 31st, 2013, 11:04 am
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Re: Paul's Pony Pair
And who doesn't love a nice red stripe now and again.....
The stripe looks very sharp indeed Paul, and the prop blur is going to be ace!
The stripe looks very sharp indeed Paul, and the prop blur is going to be ace!
Best wishes
Jim
If you can walk away from a landing, it's a good landing. If you use the airplane the next day, it's an outstanding landing
"Never put off till tomorrow, what you can do the day after tomorrow"
Jim
If you can walk away from a landing, it's a good landing. If you use the airplane the next day, it's an outstanding landing
"Never put off till tomorrow, what you can do the day after tomorrow"
- PaulBradley
- Staring out the window
- Posts: 21200
- Joined: April 6th, 2011, 3:08 pm
- Location: Flagstaff, AZ
Re: Paul's Pony Pair
Cheers, Ig!
More progress on the D - she's almost done:
The B has a first coat of light grey underneath and an area of sky for the rear fuselage band.
More progress on the D - she's almost done:
The B has a first coat of light grey underneath and an area of sky for the rear fuselage band.
Paul
За демократію і незалежний Україну
"For Democracy and a Free Ukraine"
За демократію і незалежний Україну
"For Democracy and a Free Ukraine"
- fredk
- Modelling Gent and Scholar
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Re: Paul's Pony Pair
They're both looking well
Al speling misteaks aer all mi own werk..
Its not just how good your painting is, its how good the touch-ups are too.
Its not just how good your painting is, its how good the touch-ups are too.
- PaulBradley
- Staring out the window
- Posts: 21200
- Joined: April 6th, 2011, 3:08 pm
- Location: Flagstaff, AZ
Re: Paul's Pony Pair
Cheers, Fred - they have been taking their medicine....
A coat of Ocean Grey over the topsides, swiftly followed by a slightly darkened mix for post-shading:
I doubt I'll get this one completed today, but I may be able to finish it tomorrow.
The D has had it's canopy added - I do not like Airfix's method of splitting the clear part from the framing at all - a rotten little join line where it shouldn't be and it would be extremely awkward to clean that up properly. Still, she's almost done; just some touching up and light weathering. Should be done this evening.
A coat of Ocean Grey over the topsides, swiftly followed by a slightly darkened mix for post-shading:
I doubt I'll get this one completed today, but I may be able to finish it tomorrow.
The D has had it's canopy added - I do not like Airfix's method of splitting the clear part from the framing at all - a rotten little join line where it shouldn't be and it would be extremely awkward to clean that up properly. Still, she's almost done; just some touching up and light weathering. Should be done this evening.
Paul
За демократію і незалежний Україну
"For Democracy and a Free Ukraine"
За демократію і незалежний Україну
"For Democracy and a Free Ukraine"