The Mustang: NA-73X to the Enforcer

Looking at the painting instructions, it’s a 1950 F-51 so I would guess that one came directly from USAF inventory with little or no refurbing (outside of the important stuff like engine, guns etc anyway). So no repaint black. Once all the boxes and controls are picked out in black or dark grey it’ll look suitably dark enough in the pilots office I think.
Once my Wildcats progressed a little further I’ll crack on. I don’t envision any problems with the new Airfix kit.

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Sounds like a good plan to me.

For @Gary_Kato and others still thinking about wartime interior colors, it’s worth looking at what Pacific Fighters and AirCorps Aviation are doing on the modern restorations. Those two shops put a tremendous amount of effort into getting the details right, including colors.

Check out what Pacific Fighters did on their D-model Mustang.

http://pacificfighters.net/aircraft-for-sale/jane-vi/

EDIT: It fits with the rule of thumb I’m seeing, which is interior green (darker than green zinc chromate) for the cockpit, yellow and green zinc chromate for other primed areas. B-model and A-model Mustangs are still a mystery to me, though. My current thinking is that they were a slightly different shade from Interior Green (ANA 611) but probably not enough to make a difference for what we do. And early Mustangs from Inglewood may have been more like a dark pine green.

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Had a few minutes to start today.

Interior parts tidied up and first coat of paint on. In my rush I forgot to brush a primer coat on first so it’ll need a second coat. I used Vallejo’s US Interior Green.

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Looks good. Reminds me how much I enjoy those little Airfix kits.

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So far the chipping test is going well. Only issue is I need to chip around the engine covers etc and didn’t lay down silver first. So will get to try brush painting that. Ugh. :weary:

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I have decided on the kit and the scheme. No plastic has been cut yet, but it will in a week or two.

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Played around with using a toothpick for weathering the prop. Pretty happy with it.

Probably a bit overdone, even for a desert aircraft, but lesson learned for next time.

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Prop looks good for a desert aircraft. Can imagine sand grains and dust would quickly make a mess of them in the field.

Got the interior finished up this afternoon.

Need to replace the gunsight. Not sure how obvious it is in the photo, but this side is missing a chunk as the plastic hasn’t run fully into the mould. I’ve seen Quickboost do some nice resin sights. Cheap and you get half a dozen in a set.

Would I be right in saying the D had a K14 gyro sight?

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Looking good!

It’s my understanding that several versions were used.

Some context…

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Thank, interesting stuff.

I might see if I can make something up from plastic stock and rod. Shouldn’t be difficult.

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I admire your dedication. At this scale I’d just stick that lump of clear plastic onto the panel and call it “good enough.” :joy:

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Can’t hurt to nip it off and try and make something from it. I’ll probably do the canopy closed anyway to keep the dust demon out.

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Vents over the radio compartment on an Allison powered Mustang. These are photos from the Oshkosh airshow 2024 of the EAA warbird. Still sorting through a bunch of detail close ups, but just a preview.

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Jealous you got to see that in person! That’s the Pacific Fighters rebuilt P-51A they did for Dusty Dowd a few years back. I think he’s since sold it. Beautiful airplane and much better than the mixed-up plane it was before….an A model fuselage with D model radiator and wings flying as “Polar Bear.”

Easily the prettiest Mustang flying now. Thanks for sharing.

Your mention of the EAA XP-51, though, reminded me of these pictures, which also show the vents.

https://www.eaa.org/eaa-museum/museum-collection/aircraft-collection-folder/1941-north-american-xp-51-mustang—nx51na

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Yes! It was a fun trip. Thank you for sharing the EAA link! That cockpit virtual look around is awesome. That is the panel detail I have been searching for.

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Hi mates, now the summer is really heating up here in Germany and my mojo has gone on holiday, too…
But I visited RIAT 2024 at RAF Fairford (UK) and this was really good this year with reasonably good weather and a heap of F-16s from Europe, Africa and the Middle East. No wonder, because this year’s theme was “50 years Fighting Falcon”.
I hope I will start with building soon again…
For the time being I admire the impressive builds here underway :+1: :nerd_face:
Good luck mates! See you
Peter :raising_hand_man:

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I had to put my model building on hold for the last 8 weeks because my wife had to cover the elections in Europe and France and I had to take care of my 2 young children.

As of next week I’ll be back at my workbench and I’m confident I’ll be able to finalize the model by early September.

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Sounds like an exciting summer! Looking forward to seeing your build.

The humidity finally dipped low enough to get a flat coat down. The Xtradecal markings look painted on…very impressed. A few small bubbles but that’s my fault.

Removed canopy masks…the best part of aircraft modeling.

Now on to weathering.




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This looks so good! Your work really inspires and appreciate you sharing. Please send more photos as the weathering begins!

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