1/24 Airfix RCAF Mustang IV…finally done

[R Palimaka]

I spent this evening adding stringers and strapping to the roof of the gear well, and started to detail the spar. I'll take the ribs from the Tamiya kit gear well, photocopy them, and then enlarge that to 1/24 scale for a template to cut ones from card. I'm hoping they'll be close enough for a start, and I can sand and shape them to fit. I'm just aiming for the gear wells to look busy, not duplicate every pipe and wire bundle. I'll post photos once I have something to show. Next job is to finish the gear legs. 

Edited December 12, 2016 by R Palimaka

[mozart]

Excellent work Richard, I'm so pleased that you've had a go and achieved success! Cutting plastic can be daunting but I always remind myself that it is only plastic and if something goes wrong, and it will, it's not the end of the world!! It's very satisfying when it all works out though.

Max

[Hubert Boillot]

He, He, for a "simple" build, this one is getting more involved every day ...

 

Great job throughout. It's good to see an old model being improved without a fortune in AM stuff, and shows how basic modelling skills well applied can achieve wonders.

 

I personally liked the green thunderbold scheme better, but have to say this spinner is really impressive. For sealing printed decals, I use Microscale's own decal film. It dries tough and gloss and is great. My assumption is also that this one at least has to be compatible with Micro Sol and Micro Set. On my Nieuport (Between the wars GB), I finished it off with a coat Tamiya Clear (I always struggle to remember if it is X-22 or X-21 ) to achieve sheen consistency with the rest of the airframe.

 

Keep it coming :popconr:

 

Hubert

Edited December 12, 2016 by MostlyRacers

[R Palimaka]

Thank you gentlemen, it means so much coming from you two.

 

Max - Like you said, it's only plastic. It's intimidating at first but once you manage each step it encourages you to try the next improvement or correction, and it's been fun.  Plastic card and glue doesn't cost much...

 

Hubert - Haha, no, I didn't intend to get this involved, but once you start making the effort it's hard to stop...and it feels great when it works out. There's not much aftermarket for this kit, so you're forced to improvise. I've made notes and drawings, so the next one will be easier. Unless Airfix decides that their next 1/24 "superkit" will be a completely new Mustang.

 

Suddenly that vacform Wyvern I've been looking at doesn't sound so crazy.

 

Richard

[Shaka HI]

..now this is getting interesting...

[R Palimaka]

..now this is getting interesting...

I'll second that, I'm in deeper than I planned...but more than ok with it. 

 

I placed an order with Airscale today for a couple of their full-meal deal 1/24 P-51 instrument panels. They look absolutely beautiful, and I don't think after all this work that I can live with the kit part which is closer to a P-51B panel. I ordered two because...I think I will do this again.

Edited December 13, 2016 by R Palimaka

[mgbooyv8]

Hi Richard,

 

Good progress!

Once you start detailing it it is hard to avoid doing too much and making it a candiidate of the SOD.

 

Cheers,

 

Peter

[R Palimaka]

Thanks Peter! I'm determined that this one is not going to beat me.

[Guyman1]

Gee mate your doing a great job getting this old Bird together keep going the spinner looks awesome

[R Palimaka]

Thank you Guyman! For a 45-year old kit it still captures the look of the Mustang very well. Just needs a fair bit of detailing to bring it up to date. Trumpeter badly missed a chance to improve on it.

[Guyman1]

Yeh mate I found the dihedral a bit out on this old bird be interesting to see how you go I have a half built kit myself Trumpy has a nicer body but the old Airfix kit has more accurate exhaust Stubbs , spinner and cockpit floor.

 

Anyway she looks great keep going mate.

[R Palimaka]

Thanks again! Fixing the dihedral on the Airfix kit is one major thing that will really improve the look of the finished model, externally at least. The spar I made from the template in the book seems to have set the wings at the correct angle now. I just hope it all works when I offer it up to the fuselage, and there won't be too much carving to do at the wing roots to make it all fit. I'm struggling right now with the landing gear wells, lots of back and forth cutting and dry-fitting ribs trying to make them fit properly. I am winning though.

 

I have the Trumpeter kit, and was going to use it for parts, but there is nothing really worth using. The more I looked at it, the more wrong it was. It's got really lovely and fine detail, but unfortunately it's mostly inaccurate.

[Guyman1]

Yeh mate the Trumpy Cowl is pure Trumpeter fiction I have sanded mine down and rescribed it put the Airfix kit cockpit floor used the Airfix spinner exhausts and sanded the rivets off the wings. I will give it one thing it does fit very nice.

Airscale now have a Airfix P51 Full P.E instrument face have you thought of putting that in the pit ? It looks great.

 

Anyway mate keep going

 

Guy

[LSP_Ron]

Wow, I missed the last update.  Looking great!

[R Palimaka]

Airscale now have a Airfix P51 Full P.E instrument face have you thought of putting that in the pit ? It looks great.

 

 

 

I actually ordered two of sets from Airscale on Tuesday. They look brilliant! Hopefully they'll arrive here in the next couple of weeks. I've got lots to do before I get to the cockpit, and I'll be out of town again, so not much progress for a week or so.