dashotgun

Thank you for the kind words. I checked pictures of the squadron and they did have the antenna Tamiya is sending another so I will drill out the residual and replace it. I was able to pry the windscreen off it is not glued yet still does not sit perfectly. My only complaint with the model is that with the choices of engine compartment open and wheels up or down some of the panels do not fit as perfectly as the ones that do not move, it may be also my skills in fitting them. Here are some more pictures before I glue down the engine compartment panels I will build another with them off and probably a third these are nice models and I love mustangs.

almost done. I should not have added the antenna it broke off I may just see if Tamiya will send a new one or just glue the snaped off one back. Left to do the pitot tube and landing light and the rear view mirror plus the antenna are all that is left for building. I did not like the way the front canopy sits may have to pry off and redo. I want to take some photos of the engine compartment. The top cover is warped( I think this is very common and leaves a gap on the ac port side right where the front decal will go this is unacceptable so I will take some pictures then seal it up and put the decals on and it is done.

big update I have been building but not posting or taking picture. Some notes before the pictures I used the seat belts from HGH which i got on ebay. I was somewhat skeptical as I do not do small parts well but if you thread the belts while the buckles are on the sprue it is easier. I think they look better then resin belts and better then the metal ones from eduard or tamiya. I would recomend them to those who do not mind a bit of a challange. The model is going together well it will need only some sling filler on the bottom near the air scope at least on mine as that did not fit as tightly as else where on the model. I am not sure I am going to do panels open on the engine although the alinement is great and the engine looks super the panels still gap slightly and the decals have to gap the panel lines. I might try some hot water as the curvature is to great causing the gapping. Go slowly and follow the directions and the model just about builds itself it is by far the best model I have built the engineering is superb. I did launch the throttle into the carpet monster twice but a new one is easy to build from stock and I will glue it in later. I did decide to use the warning radar antenna I hope I do not bend them as I handle it tires are Jerry Rutmans btw. I went to Ikea and picked up their detolf shelf and built that I will save a space for the mustang when finished

might be anewbi here but not to building nice model my only criticism is you need more light to take photos

I kinda dove right in on this and did not see the second bag of poly caps in the bag with the tires Tamiya is sending me another cap

Some progress I built the gun site and painted it. I left off the housing that protects from shadows I can not find any period photos that shows it in use. The pit is finished except for the seat belts I am using the HGW belts and they are a bit finicky but really look the part. once that is done I can fold the sides together. Another warning there are 2 similar looking black poly caps and the larger one does not fit well into the tail for the aft airelons it has to be sanded( that is because it is the larger one meant for the prop erggggh) I also cahnged the battery wires to something a bit smaller I put on a level semi satin coat over the decals looks much better:

here are some quick pictures of the progress so far like a lot of us I build in subsections and try to do mass painting of one color. BTW Roys cockpit placards are superb. I have to spray some satin coat to even the colors and pick out some more fine detail. The engine is a model in itself. The wheel wells were sprayed in metallic black then rubbed in snj powder.

here is the scheme

I am in I have started it about 2- 3 weeks ago I am going to do Sweet Arlene a 366 bird I have the cutting edge decals the pyn up ones I bought when they came out( swmbo) is of course named Arlene and If was a WW2 stang driver that is what I would have named the plane. I have gotten Jerry rutmans wheels the rubber tires are not very nice and Sutherlands interior decals for the switches and so on and HGW replacement for the seat belts the rest of the plane will be OOB. For those that have not started it yet you almost do not need glue. It will be alclad painted with some snj polishing powder. I put the spitfire aside I am up to paint on that one. This is better designed as the engine mounts are integral to the sides so there will be not miss mounting issues I think. I will take picture this weekend to post up.

I put aside my stalled spitfire and have started the mustang I will try to make it official with some picture this weekend

agree but there are some times some egregious things that are easy to correct of leave out as the case maybe. No harm in sharing the information it just depends on how obsessive compulsive you are some people like to build full interiors on their bombers for instance knowing the detail is not going to be seen. I think using the hive mind to point out pitfalls of fact or some building hints is worth while. I do not think leaving off the part on the back of the armor plate is nitpicking it is visible and is not on any reference photos of WW 2 ac. I am sure if you build it right out to the box it will make a fine model btw

lets keep it generic for a particular airframe some one can start their own thread. I did some researcha nd found the warning radar( APS-13 antennas on the tail section) was on airframes after 44-72127 and subsequent as well as earlier blocks retrofitted with the APS-13. at least repeating what I had read on ARC. http://s362974870.onlinehome.us/forums/air/index.php?showtopic=234998. Similarly he stated that part D53 should not be used as it was part of the IFF not used in WW2 mustangs that at least I have picture evidence that area is blank on the pictures I have of the area any way

lets get this started. I just started the model and already I am confused. I am doing sweet arlene and there are pictures of the nose art but none of the whole aircraft. Same group as Blondie in the box probably late 40 ac. I have read that the wheel wells are probably natural metal with the wing spar interior green on ac once they have been in the field. Your milage may vary on using interior green on the cockpit. The floor is painted black over ply wood. One question I have is for the warning radar antenna on this plane I have picture of others in the group but can not make out if they have the antenna on the tail. I know on most European theater mustangs the radio wire was not present. Any else want to chime in?

I used to love the original snj but have not done a nmf in a while. I am going to do sweet arlene ( I have the cutting edge decals I bought a while back) I would guess since it is a working ac duralum color would be the best. I find mr surfacer fussy as a primer I always end up with the cotton candy. I do like the tamiya primer perhaps I will try that. The stnag is next up I am up to finishing the camo on my spit. I moved last year got busy with moving and settling in and have not done much with it I HATE not finishing things so I will have to finish that first then move on. I forgot( smacks head) I did recently do a nmf I used snj on it:

Got the new stang today. I have not done a metal finish in quite a while I have various shades of alclad and was curious what people are using for a primer.

anybody have some pictures of sweet Arlene? Ihave the cutting edge decal sheet ( swmbo ) name is Arlene and that is what I am going to do but I can't find any on line picture of the ac

Beautifully constructed and painted a masterwork! with the right photography would look 1:1.

Thanks for the kind words I appreciate everyones comments it is nice to have a virtual modeling club. David

Beautiful. I built the same bird and used the yellowhammer as well I really did not care for them as decals. No one will notice the upside down insignia.

I always enjoy see your models Great stuff!

This ac was started early last year. Life sometimes gets in the way.... After 15 years with in VA I ended up moving to NC. Moving sucks and moving my modeling room sucks worse. I am still finding and fixing little things that broke off or searching for that tool that I need. I recently settled in enough to finish this project ( Still working on the tamiya spit to) I had posted this in works in progress but finally here it is. Except for the heart there are no decals every other marking is painted. I used hobby transfers for the markings

major update insignia came out pretty good I think the exhaust area is my own stencil I painted the white stripe as well needs a small amount of touch up. It is late and better pictures to follow