Greetings from
Manila! I saw this little Mustang as a great way to get some modeling done over
the weekend, and to apply some newly-learned techniques. Actually, it took
almost three weekends to get it done, but I am quite pleased with the result. The
Academy kit is just a re-boxing of their WW2 D-model mustang. The real change
over the earlier kit are the three decal options (2 Korean AF, 1 USAF), and the
Jeep that is packed along with the kit. Fit is excellent, and detail is quite
adequate for the scale. I chose to model James Glessner's aircraft, of the 12
FBS, which had 1 kill marking.
At one point, my
research showed that the real aircraft depicted by the kit had rocket rails
under each wing, but as this was a "relaxation build", I opted to
forego scratchbuilding them and painted one of the drop tanks to look like
napalm tanks. At
least I am sure that Korean War Mustangs actually carried those. I
drilled out the gun barrels with a pin vise and replaced them with syringe
needles cut to size with a file. The ADF loop to the rear of the fuselage was a
common feature of Korean War F-51s, and I scratchbuilt one by wrapping stretched
sprue over a length of thin tubing and applying softening heat. The tail wheel
is too short, and had to be extended in order to allow the aircraft to sit
properly in the three-point position. I left out the gear doors as most F-51s
had their
tailwheels locked down to prevent malfunctions.
Basic airframe
colors are Tamiya and Gunze enamels, sealed in with dullcoat. The wingtip and
tail colors are decals, set with lots of Mr. Mark Softer. The decals do not
cover perfectly, so I touched up with enamels and sealed with Future to maintain
the bright, glossy look. The spinner is painted in enamels and sealed with
Future floor wax. Weathering was done with Tamiya acrylics to prevent damaging
the basic colors. I used a lot of reference photos to help me capture the
"forward airstrip" look of these aircraft. Contrary to what I first
thought, some Mustangs were actually very sharp in appearance (at the time the
photos were taken, anyway) and not soot-stained and worn-out.
Thanks and happy
modeling!
Micah
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