Tony's Mustang too FAR.

[TeeELL]

Arrived at the boat this afternoon and finally cleared my working space this evening. The Airfix 1:72 Mustang is the kit I shall be building and, surprise, surprise it will be No 400 of the Cuban Revolutionary Air Force (FAR). The 2 Mustangs were purchased through a surplus dealer and flown to Cuba whilst on their 'test flights', unarmed they would never 'fire in anger' as the Batista government fell, quite literally, the day the 2 Mustangs finally became operational.
Of the pair 401 became a museum piece (although that museum is no longer open) and 400 vanished. Relatively recently the fuselage and wings, out as far as the undercarriage, was seen in the south of the island. Unfortunately it is in the vicinity of Guantanamo and very difficult to reach to confirm any additional form of identification.
I have chosen 400 rather than the better known 401 as there is a single, old photograph showing the markings and, particularly, the sharks mouth. 401 has appeared both with and without the sharks mouth although what few records are available seem to suggest it was not adorned at the time the aircraft was aquired.
As I am without internet access, other than through my mobile phone, I need to be circumspect in the posting of photographs, especially. I have opened the kit and started painting, I purchased the CMK resin cockpit but that is for the older Airfix kit, whilst it does have some more details I'll not bother with it other than, perhaps, the seat belts.

That's all for now, photos will be posted as and when I can.

[iggie]

Looking forward to seeing your narrow boat 'Stang

[TeeELL]

Sat in the marina at Droitwich Spa I find I have 4G so taking advantage of this I shall post the following:

A view of the 'modelling office' taken from the exterior stern (back or blunt end of the boat)



A view of the work space inside



Finally, a view of Mustang '400' at a relatively early stage in it's inauspicious career.



Note the lack of tail wheel doors.

Something I hadn't noticed until now - the radio aerial, I must admit that I has assumed the 'lump' on the spine rendered the wire aerial superfluous - as I have not bought my aerial thread with me, I will have to add that after the conclusion of the GB!!
To date, I have painted the cockpit with Humbrol 78, it hasn't dried so I shall have to do it all over again. I hope this isn't an indicator of things to come!!

[TeeELL]

Progress is proving to be a little slow! Thus far, my evenings have been spent socialising with other boaters! I/we have consumed an inordinate amount of red wine! Hope to break the habit in the next day or 2 and get back to the important things in life!

[TobyC]

Nice choice. I was going to do something similar but couldn't find the kit. A mate of mine has a time share on a narrow boat at Droitwich Marina.

[iggie]

No worries Tony; plenty of time yet

Anyway, red wine ( and Hobgoblin, but NOT at the same time; ask me how I know this....) are the fuel of modelling and narrow boats in my book

[TeeELL]

Iggie, currently at Stratford upon Avon. The memsahib wants to watch the tennis final tomorrow so, once we moor up and I have pointed the satellite dish, I should be able to get some modelling done.

[iggie]

This is what we like to see; a fair division of labour and pastimes

[TeeELL]

Had an evening not socialising a couple of days ago and managed to get something done, not much admittedly but it is progress:



Tomorrow should see progress enough to get some paint on - or not!

[iggie]

Fingers crossed Murry takes it to five sets then!

[TeeELL]

Too much socialising and not enough modelling!! The plan is for me to get on with this 'stang this evening but here are a couple of photos of the progress thus far:





Got a bit of filling to do, then a coat of primer perhaps even some 'aluminium'? We shall see what the evening brings, at least what little sunshine there is is directly into the area I am working.

[iggie]

Nice work, and certainly far more progressed than my entry to this GB; that hasn't even left the box yet!

[TeeELL]

Although an excess of socialising has had a significant impact on my modelling opportunities, the past 2 days have been far too hot. I figured the primer would be dry before it reached the model! However, this evening I have primed minor parts, masked off the fuselage/wings and primed that as well. Photographs will follow but, in order to do that, I have to clear the modelling away so I can fire up the lap top.
Fingers crossed, tomorrow might see the NMF going on to the fuselage or perhaps the HSS on the wimgs. If the weather stays warm then maybe both. Presently on the Grand Union approaching Leicester.

[TeeELL]

The Cuban F-51 is equipped with avionics requiring the 'lump' on the rear fuselage. I thought I had packed plasticard in order to make the aerial. Having searched thoroughly to no avail, I found that a piece of sprue would do the trick. abit of filing and emery and the aerial was ready to fit.
Here then a photo of this evenings progress:

[TeeELL]

I recall mention of the fact that the panel lines on the wings of the F-51 were 'filled in' to ensure the laminar flow design of the wing. I thought about it, not for long mind, but felt that a Canadian surplus F-51 sold under dubious circumstances to Cuba might well be on the wrong side of 'well kept'. Any way 'tis my model!