Iwo Jima VLR Mustang - Tamiya 1:48 kit

[LSP_K2]

Yet another project I'm trying to finish for a show here in September, the Tamiya Mustang, done up as one of my all-time favorite Machines from that theater.

 

[LSP_K2]

Wings coming along nicely. I won't be using rockets, so stub launcher holes have been filled (plastic rods glued, clipped and sanded smooth). Finish will in all likelihood be Alclad and MRP.

 

[LSP_K2]

I was fortunate to recently find a pile of base material "hiding" in the basement, so the Eduard 1:48 PSP will be used for the final display.

 

[LSP_K2]

This will be the scheme; from the Eduard VLR Mustang kit, which I don’t yet have, but soon will.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[LSP_K2]

'Pit will be a mixed bag of Aires, CMK, Quinta and Barracuda. Barracuda set should be here Monday.

 

[LSP_K2]

Thanks to an error on my part, I inadvertently ordered the Quinta set for the Airfix kit. By using my relatively new dial calipers though, I've been able to determine that they're almost a dead-on match for each other, so I'll probably be going with it vs grabbing the correct set.

 

[MikeC]

Interesting subject: I did a little research when I was doing an Iwo Jima bird from the Tamiya 1/32. Good call to omit the rockets, which means you dont need the very large oversize (iirc P-47) tanks. They were only needed when hauling rockets to Tokyo: the extra drag of said rockets caused higher fuel consumption.

 

For this and much other background information I found this book invaluable (note recommendation is only for the book, it may be available elsewhere at a better price) https://www.dhz-books.com/en-gb/very-long-range-p-51-mustang-units-of-the-pacific-war,-aviation-elite-units-21,-osprey

 

Edited March 31 by MikeC

[LSP_K2]

5 hours ago, MikeC said:

Interesting subject: I did a little research when I was doing an Iwo Jima bird from the Tamiya 1/32. Good call to omit the rockets, which means you dont need the very large oversize (iirc P-47) tanks. They were only needed when hauling rockets to Tokyo: the extra drag of said rockets caused higher fuel consumption.

 

For this and much other background information I found this book invaluable (note recommendation is only for the book, it may be available elsewhere at a better price) https://www.dhz-books.com/en-gb/very-long-range-p-51-mustang-units-of-the-pacific-war,-aviation-elite-units-21,-osprey

 

Yep, excellent book, for sure, and one that I already have in the book stash.

[LSP_K2]

As seems to be all too typical for me, I started this same scheme years ago, using the Hasegawa kit. When I moved, this too got lost. I also have decals for the same scheme in 1:32, to eventually be used on the big Tamiya kit.

 

[LSP_K2]

Here's a screen snatch from some video game that depicts the same scheme. While it looks pretty decent, there is at least one error. The five stripes that appear on wing uppers, were not present on the real machine, at least as far as I've been able to determine. The tail radar warning antennas will just be tiny in 1:48, so I may or may not try to add them.

 

[LSP_K2]

And the Barracuda stencils/placards arrived today, as expected. I’m a happy boy. Probably not all of this will be used, as some bits are extraordinarily tiny in 1:48 scale, but I’ll give it my best.

 

[LSP_K2]

The finished IP. Not bad at all, if I do say so myself.

 

[LSP_K2]

Oh boy, a problem, just what I needed. It appears that at some time in the past, I ground away the molded-in-place IP coaming for the Aires unit to fit. It’s been a while since I had last worked on this, so naturally that Aires part is now nowhere to be found. Fortunately, I have a few more Tamiya kits, so I’ll order yet another Aires set and start over again. I’m thrilled.

[LSP_K2]

Ooh, Mustang goodness. Looks like this project is now on again.

 

 

 

[LSP_K2]

Tonight I decided to add the Aires sidewalls. I'll be away from home for a couple of days, but will paint the 'pit when I return. I loves me some airbrushing goodness.