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'Mrs. Bonnie' P-51K


IJ001

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Hello folks

Been a long time since I asked for folks ideas here, but because I'm planning-on building the Tamiya 1:32 Mustang (and the implied ‘cost' of this kit), I thought it may be a good idea to get some thoughts before I start hacking away at it. 

 

I'm going to build Bill Dunhams'  ‘Mrs. Bonnie' as it was right at the end of the war in summer 1945. The aircraft is a P-51K-10 it's quite well known as it was featured in some publicity photos in August or September. 

 

Bonnie%203%20small_zpsftquadqm.jpg

 

Mrs.%20Bonnie%20on%20Ie%20Shima%20Sept%2

 

Bonnie%205_zpshgj1qpwz.jpg

 

 

As you can see, despite it being a Dallas-built ‘K' it has the cuffed Hamilton props and spinner – the blade profile and decals give-it-away – also the whole of the spinner is painted red/yellow/blue & black (front to rear). This is fine as the kit I'm using is the initial Tamiya release, 60322 (which also has the ‘Dallas' canopy in the box too). 

 

Now here's the part where I need your insight & thoughts – Tamiya in their paint & decal instructions show ‘Mrs Bonnie' with the ‘correct' Aeroproducts spinner & blades but also would have you paint the spinner back-plate NMF, the colours being the same but compressed. Has anyone got a photo that confirms the Tamiya instructions – just being curious, I'm one of those folks who likes to have as much info as possible… 

 

Tamiya%20Bonnie_zpsws673vwl.jpg

 

Bonnie%201%20small_zpsnqrinxua.jpg

 

 

Thanks in advance folks, over to you. 

 

Ian.

 

ps

Special thanks to Ben (PCBEN80) for supplying the decals all the way from the USA to 'Middle Earth', really appreciate it, matey !!

Edited by IJ001
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welcome back :)

 

looks like a great choice and subject - I have to say if it were me I would go by the spinner layout in the photo's - it is incontrivertable proof it was like that...

 

if it was as the instructions show it at any time then all is well and good, but without pics it may never have been that way and is just a creative mistake..

 

just my thoughts :)

 

Peter

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Very cool choice of scheme ! I love the old fashion striped rudder.

 

 

That spinner in the middle picture looks different to the others?

 

The different types of B&W films used at this time have different renders of colors. I think it's actually the same.

Edited by Zero77
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In addition to the spinner and the prop differences, I notice also that the Tamiya markings show "Mrs. Bonnie" with 15 kill markings while the posted photos show an additional kill marking for 16 total. If I had to guess, Tamiya was working from an earlier photo(s) which likely showed an Aeroproducts prop and a different spinner. For some reason, both spinner and prop were later replaced and the 16th kill marking was added. Of course, until someone comes up with that earlier photo(s), this is all speculation on my part.

Bill M.

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Thanks folks, appreciate the feedback.

 

Got the kids at-home for another week (Spring break), so this will hit the bench on the second week in October, so a nice'n easy spring/summer project !!.   :whistle:

 

AFN

 

Ian.

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  • 2 weeks later...

...and so it begins:

 

engine%201_zpspl0cz2a2.jpg

 

engine%202_zps2iqsc6db.jpg

 

Mixed-up a cocktail of Tamiya acrylic XF-56 & XF-1 for the main engine block. I'll hand-paint some of the details on Monday before attaching the supercharger assembly. Using a little 'artistic license' here and there just to keep it 'interesting'.

 

AFN

 

Ian.

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Thanks chaps.

 

Sticking strictly to the instruction sequence (for the moment anyway), I built-up and sprayed the firewall and oil tank this morning, then was able to give it a pin-wash and light dry-brushing this afternoon. Very warm this spring afternoon here, so that helps drying times !!

 

As I'm waiting for some Barracuda bits to arrive from Hannants, I think that tomorrow I'll start on the wings & stabs.

 

Ian.

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A little more progress on the 'front end':

 

engine%206_zpsporog0qd.jpg

 

 

engine%207_zpsi5xjehgl.jpg

 

 

firewall_zpsg5oodbfh.jpg

 

 

Also sprayed the front fuselage halves - Tamiya NATO Black and Humbrol MetalCote. Cannot do too much on the insides until the aforementioned wee parcel from Hannants arrives.

 

basic%201_zpspatnwfb2.jpg

 

More tomorrow.

 

Ian.

Edited by IJ001
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Nice start Ian. I started on this same kit quite a while ago and it seriously stalled on me. I was also doing Mrs. Bonnie. One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet in your build thread is the mistake Tamiya made in their colour instructions. The anti-glare paint on Mrs. Bonnie's nose was black, not olive drab as Tamiya show it. The exhaust shrouds were also painted red but appear to have discoloured to a slightly pinkish hue due to exhaust heat. One other detail that gets missed is the thin line of overspray along the outsides of each of the wing stripes. If you look at the photos it looks as if the wing stripes have a thin border line past the black. That's the overspray past the wing stripe masking. The fuselage stripes appear to be much cleaner with no overspray.

 

Looking forward to seeing more of your work on Mrs. Bonnie.

 

Cheers,

Wolf

Edited by Wolf Buddee
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Thanks both:

Wolf - Yep knew the glare panel was black, a few years back I was bought the Schiffer 'Kearby's Thunderbolts' volume on the 348th FG, some fantastic high quality photos in that... and of course I checked-out other folks models (in all scales), of this machine !!

 

Martin - One of the items on the way from the 'old country' is the Barracuda wheels/tyres, but wasn't aware they were different on each side - didn't think to check in the pics.

 

More soon.

 

Ian.

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