This is a model of the F-51D Mustang
in 1/72 from Italeri. The kit is quite good and needs very little effort
to make it shine. The model represents a Mustang F-51D from the Salvadoran Air
Force (FAS) and was also used in the 1969 war against Honduras that was called
"the soccer war". The model at issue (407) and wears a dark
green camouflage and on clear gray. I began with a base aluminum that was sealed
with Future and the rivets recreated, all the standards are painted. The
model was painted using enamel colors from Humbrol and sealed with Microscale
acrylic matte. For more realism, several details were done from sprue and
added the model to better represent the characteristics of the Mustang from that
time period. Some things that were added in the cockpit include (handles,
oxygen tanks etc) as well as the main fuel tank being eliminated and the pilot's
seat was modified. The flaps, the ailerons and the rudder were separated.
The gunbay in the left wing was opened and the guns and belts of the
ammunition were added. The engine cowling was also opened and a copy was
created with styrene and was constructed. The model does not require putty
and the fit is quite good. This model represents one of last Mustangs that
participated in air combat. On July 17 of 1969 Douglas Captain Varela was
shot down by a Corsair F4U-5N landing of the Honduran side of the border where
he was massacred by the Honduran forces and his remains weren't repatriated to
El Salvador until the year 2005.
Rafael
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