Another Hasegawa P-51 question...

[Ironwing]

Greetings all,

 

The project is still going strong(hope my ambition holds out). Laurent, the pics you sent along with the stuff that Craig sent has been invaluable in getting the seat and armour plate done. It took hours to build the armor plate and the associated detail but I think it looks pretty good.

 

Here's another question: Hasegawa did a great job capturing the complex shape of the 51 nose. However, I think they missed the shape of the spinner completely. To me it looks far too rounded or bulbous. To change its cross section, I chucked it into a dremel tool, spun it, and reshaped it with the edge of an exacto # 11 so it follows the line of the upper cowling surface in a continuous line. The kit original doesnt do this.

 

What's your take on this or your opinion on the spinner shape?

 

Hope all are well...

 

Geoff

[CharlesMetz]

Hasegawa did a great job capturing the complex shape of the 51 nose.

Goeff,

 

I agree that Hasagawa did a good job on the shape of their 1/32 Mustang's nose ... except for its cross-section from, say, 1/2" to 3" behind the spinner, which should have very subtle bulges at roughly 11 and 1 o'clock to clear the engine's rocker-arm covers. Those bulges, which cause the top of the real aircraft's nose to be a bit flatter than the kit's aft of the spinner, are generally similar to those on a Merlin Spitfire's nose but less obvious. Unfortunately, this aspect of a Mustang's nose shape is very difficult to document in photographs, which must be taken from almost exactly the optimal angle to show the subtle front "corners" of the bulges, but it is an issue for terminally compulsive folks like me and, perhaps, you. Most Mustang kits get this wrong, by the way.

 

In contrast, the Hasegawa kit's spinner has always looked fine to me, so I have nothing to contribute on that issue.

 

Charles Metz

[Ironwing]

Charles,

 

Thanks for the reply. I agree with you about the nose on the Hasegawa 51. It will be interesting to see if this new Dragon kit is able to capture it. About the spinner: I'll agree it's close but it looks to my eye to be too "fat." Ive looked at as many photos of 51's as possible and admitedly my resources are limited. However, it would seem that the curve of the spinner should be an extension of the upper fuselage curve. In the case of the Hasegawa spinner, this continuation is missing. Its subtle, but never the less, it's something that just doesnt look right to me.

 

Just the same, its always good to see your responses.

 

Thanks,

 

Geoff