Airfix 1:72 F-51D Mustang

[aviationcafe]

Hi,

After being bought this for Christmas along with a Spitfire F22 I decided to set aside some time for the building of this over the weekend/new year, I've primed this with a generic primer from the local pound shop which seems to do quite well.
I've also ventured into Airbrushing for the first time with a "Expo AB652 Starter Airbrush kit" which was bought for me by the extended family which uses the can's of propellant which I can get a 750ml for £8, and did a small test with a scrap Spitfire mk1a I had in the drawer so have enclosed some photo's of my first attempt!

First off the Unboxing:








First use of the Airbrush:


Will get some more shots of the interior up as soon as I can!

Thanks for looking

John!

[steve149c]

Looks a very nice kit John!

[tc2324]

The airbrush work looks good to me.

I would imagine the real test will be when you do a camo scheme of some sort.

[aviationcafe]

The airbrush work looks good to me.

I would imagine the real test will be when you do a camo scheme of some sort.

The good thing about using the parts from the scrap spitfire (paint knackered up originally), is that I can try the camo out on the wing/fuselage before I go and try it on the Revell Lancaster or the Italeri 2000C, also have the connector for a compressor which was included in the kit for the future too!

Bit of a small update:

Test fitted the cockpit in the fuselage after giving the interior a small coat of "Cockpit Green" and adding some interior detail with "Brass" and "Plastikote Matt Black", also fitted the Instrument Panel/Seat & Stick in place:

[Typhoon2]

Watching this with interest as I have one in the stash!

[paddyboy]

That is looking good to me

Keep us all informed

Best regards

Patrick

[steve149c]

Very nice! What air brush and compressor you got?

[aviationcafe]

Very nice! What air brush and compressor you got?

Hi Steve,

I've got the basic "Expo Lightweight Airbrush Set" or AB652 which comes with the Airbrush, 5ft Air Hose, Propellant Can Regulator, 1/4" Compressor connector. I've been looking for a while at getting a airbrush & compressor but at the time couldn't afford it so the extended family bought me this to see how I got on with this.
It takes the canisters or compressed air like this one here Clicky although I am currently looking at a basic compressor & a different airbrush (gravity fed) and keeping this one as a back up.

I've sprayed the Fuselage/Wings/Tail/Flaps today and its turned out better than I've expected, but its currently in the airing cupboard drying over night so unfortunately haven't got any more photo's to show!

[aviationcafe]

Unfortunately there's been a slight hitch with the build of this, yesterday I mixed humbrol 191 up to the same mix as the Humbrol 11 previously, and this caused another reaction similar to the one that happened with the Previous Mustang....

I've used the thinners to remove the paint and attempt to bring it back to the primed stage which some success, I'm going to leave it to dry off properly (as its been washed etc) and then re-attempt to spray again!

Cracking problem...


After the use of Thinners & a sponge:

[aviationcafe]

Small update:

After the way the paint reacted above I wasn't sure how it would turn out once I'd given it enough time to settle before spraying it today, there's still a few little bits underneath which when finished you won't be able to see, but so far its turned out well:

Awaiting the Tail & Rudder to be added (1):

Awaiting the Tail & Rudder to be added (2):

Tail & Rudder added complete with Flaps in the Down position (1):

Tail & Rudder added complete with Flaps in the Down position (2):

Underside:


Hopefully will have the Landing gear added & the rockets either tonight or tomorrow, and then start on the troublesome "Yellow" paint which is required

[steve149c]

That has come out well indeed. For future reference, IPA will strip paint nice without damaging the plastic, but nice to see the build back on track

[paddyboy]

Looks like you have managed to achieve a great rescue there

Cheers

Patrick

[aviationcafe]

Thanks for the comments everyone,

I've decided to finish this up this weekend, after attempting to get the U/C fitted one of the legs snapped and after numerous attempts at fixing/re-building it, I've decided to have it with its Flap's down and U/C up depicting a slow flypast.

I've also added the Rockets today & will be adding the Drop Tank later on before giving it one final touch-up & adding the Decals.

[tc2324]

It`s a good save on that. Like you say, unless you pick it up to look for it, no-one will notice the problem if at all.

[steve149c]

Looking forward to the final reveal !!!