Trumpy's P-51B times two - Dominic Gentile and Ralph Hofer

[Juggernut]

Dominic Salvatore Gentile actually http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominic_Salvatore_Gentile but very often referred as Don

 

I'll se about the tank, it already glued in, so the back side could be difficult to paint...

 

Well isn't that something. Ya learn something new almost every day.

[Lee White]

And, if you want to make the Mustang a bit more colorful, you can replace the red spinner (front half only) with a white one, which can be seen in pics online.

[Thomas Lund]

And, if you want to make the Mustang a bit more colorful, you can replace the red spinner (front half only) with a white one, which can be seen in pics online.

 

Yes I know Lee, but I want to replikate the plane in the picture I included. It was also full red the day he smashed it up. Another little thing is that the division between the red and white was so awfully painted, and that is hard to recreate without it looking like bad craftmanship.

[Ironwing]

Tom,

 

I've never seen this kit built up. Please continue to post.

 

Best,

 

Geoff

[Hogzilla]

Thanks for sharing. I will continue to study your build with great interest! WAY TO GO !!!

[Matt Walker]

In regards the spinner, the 4th Fighter Group Mustangs had white spinner and forward fuselage bands, as delivered from the factory. The 4th was allocated red as the Group color, and this was painted over the factory applied white. So, in the instance of Gentile's Mustang, the white/red spinner may well have resulted from the red paint peeling or being worn off. So in fact it "should" look ragged! Check close up photos and you will see. The spinner had obviously been re-painted before the last flight and subsequent crash.

 

Keep up the great work.

M

[Thomas Lund]

Thanks Guys

 

Matt, it might very well be chipping down to the original white paint. I'm thinking of this picture. Still wanna do the all-red spinner as in the first post here

 

[Matt Walker]

Thomas,

 

If it is "chipped" paint, it was pretty severe!!! There must have been something else going on for it to get to the stage it's at in that photo.

 

But I agree, "when" I build my version of Shangri-la", it will have the all red spinner. Pulling off the red/white spinner would be a trick....

 

M

[Matt Walker]

PS, I don't recall seeing any other 4th Fighter Group Mustangs with the same two-tone, or worn spinner. It appears as though Gentile's plane was the only one. But then, it's been a few years since I've looked at my reference books.....

[shepard]

following this with interest my friend... trying to learn something from you guys.. always!

 

cheers

 

Shep

[fastzx]

Tom,

Pictures I have seen also show red painted main wheel hubs if mo one else has mentioned it yet.

 

I am in the middle of same plane but using Revell and Monogram mix.

 

Jon

[Thomas Lund]

Tom,

Pictures I have seen also show red painted main wheel hubs if mo one else has mentioned it yet.

 

I am in the middle of same plane but using Revell and Monogram mix.

 

Jon

 

Yes Jon that's true, it did, although it hasn't been mentioned here (yet)

 

Do you have any pictures of yours ?

 

These days I'm focused on getting the Zero done, so progress on this one is slow

[Pete G.]

I will try and dig up references to confirm the source. I think it was "Escort to Berlin" by Jeff Ethell, but not completely sure. Matt is correct. Shangrila did have the red spinner wear down to the original white as pictured during the course of missions. It was repainted during one of the scheduled maintenance inspections, not too long before Gentile pranged it. Timed sequencing of photos taken over the career of the aircraft also seem to confirm this.

 

Pete

[Thomas Lund]

Just posted pics of my completed zero so I though I might as well take a picture of where the Mustang is today.

 

Going into the slightly boring phase with fuselage and wing close up and mating. A bit of filler/Mr Surface needed here and there, especially around the top part of the cowl.

 

Filled the front part of the wing to get rid of the rivets there. A bit difficult to see, but I think they are gone there now.

 

After my success with painting on marking on the zero, I've ordered some paint masks for the national insignia for this bird too. The codes I can do masks for myself and I plan to paint the checquerboard under the exhausts. The personal markings will have to be decals - far to difficult to paint...

 

[Nic C.D.]

Looking good ! Good luck with the checkers. It's quite a bit of work, but once it's done, it'll look fantastic ! Hope to see more soon!

 

Nic