A couple members expressed interest in my ongoing Mustang project, so let’s give this a try. It’ll be a rolling build log of each plane, a bit like Torsten’s ongoing thread. Unlike Torsten, however, I work very slow, so consider yourself warned. Expect occasional updates and 5-6 months per plane and you won’t be disappointed.
The goal is to build at least one model of every major variant, from the NA-73X prototype to the post-war H-model and possibly the Cavalier turboprops. Most will be pretty straightforward builds since this is obviously a well-covered subject, but particular variants such as the NA-73X prototype and the XP-51s (which are often confused) will require a fair bit of scratch building and modification and will be left for later on.
So far I’ve recently finished Tamiya’s P-51B and prior to that, the Accurate Miniatures Mustang Mk. Ia in RAF Africa colors. (Both these variants will be built again.)
At some point I’ll have somebody who knows what they’re doing help with photos. For now, this will have to do.
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Next up is a pair of D-models: Tamiya and Eduard.
The Tamiya will be built OOB (but with Quickboost exhausts) in the colors of Major Urban Drew’s aircraft. There’s some tricky freehand camo modification of the factory NMF and anti-glare areas that we’ll get into later. But a beautiful scheme I’ve loved since I was a kid.
(Credit to the original artist on both these profiles—no idea where they came from I’ve had them so long)
Eduard kit is an “overtrees” boxing with an assortment of decals to do Don Blakeslee’s aircraft (commander of the 4th FG—most successful FG of the War). He’s a fascinating guy and very capable leader who never decorated his plane like most aces. Therefore, there are no current kits (as far as I know) which represent his mount.
(Profile art is incorrect - Blakeslee’s plane was a -5 without the later dorsal fin)
Just got started. More to come.
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Nice pair of ponies there, Spitfire! Have fun with your next pair! Eduard is bit more complex, but Tamiya is an easy add glue and shake … 
Have built both already.
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Thanks for chiming in, Torsten. I see exactly what you mean.
Forget what I said about building the Tamiya OOB. That’s just not possible when seeing it side by side with the Eduard. So, taking the chance to do some scratchbuilt detail for the first time.
Oddly enough….I’m torn on which kit I prefer.
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Looking good so far.
Be interesting to watch both come along. Wonder how the new Airfix compares with them? I like their 1/72 new tool but haven’t seen the 1/48 myself.
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I’m happy to jump in and follow along I do like a Mustang. Nice to be in at the start i usually tap like and realise the thread is over a year long.
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Welcome, Joe. I do that frequently as well.
Stephen, you’re in luck. The Model Guy did a multi-part comparison of these three. As I remember, the Airfix did not stack up favorably, but I don’t recall the exact issues.
Like you, I do enjoy their 1/72 version though.
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Thanks. Will have to watch that a little later today, we’re on the road at moment.
If it’s anything like most of the new kits, it looks ok in the box but when you get to building you find soft detail, fit issues and silly mistakes.
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Finally got some bench time. Nothing notable….everyone’s seen these kits built a million times.
Added some very minor details to the Tamiya kit.
And trying the riveting tool for the first time. Maybe by the time I finish the whole plane I’ll be able to keep a straight line!
The Eduard kit is pretty much ready for painting. That a nice kit. Impressive detail, but I remain unsure which kit I prefer. Can’t say I enjoyed cleaning up all those tiny parts…
Hopefully another update soon.
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