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.)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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…
Not much to add here—summer has been very busy at work so only a few sessions at the workbench. Decided to take one Mustang at a time and press forward with the Eduard first. It was too slow keeping both together.
Shop lights play havoc with the photo saturation, but the real thing is darker than I’d like. Not sure how to change that at this point. Might drybrush some lighter colors.
Stick and floor are not finished yet. I know it’s modeling heresy, but I’m leaving the cockpit floor natural wood instead of adding the black anti slip coating. Wood will lighten the cockpit and the black doesn’t look as nice. Plus I’m pretty sure I’ve heard of uncoated floors before, at least in the early production D models.
Made a bit more progress over the last few weeks. The Eduard bird is buttoned up and ready for filling and sanding. This kit is interesting…a lot of great detail but then small, inconsequential parts will fit very poorly and end up as a huge headache.
Had a surprising amount of trouble with the cowl vents, which will need filling and touch up. Overall happy with it though.
Same here! My usual output is 7-8 models per year. This year I have finished 4 and No. 5 won’t be finished by the end of this month. On the other hand we still keep on buying new kits as if we don’t have enough already. I know your problem …
Have built both already.
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