JohnB

I had a reply from him that the P-51B conversion will be done, just no timeline, etc.

I agree Peter. Those areas are a PITA on both Revell and Tamiya kits. I hope I have it smoothed out fairly well now after plenty of filler and sanding. I'll spray some primer over that area today which should show up any needed additional putty/sanding needed (and cussing).

I just found some Revell corresponding parts so I'll test fit those to see if it's mo betta. Fingers crossed. Removed the Tamiya parts and tried the Revell replacements. Works a lot better. Not perfect but well enough that it will be easier to putty and sand as a lot of the gaps, etc are a result of me trying to get the Tamiya parts to fit. 🤪

Thanks Carl! I'll check from time to time to see what's new, etc. I'll also send him a message about his planned P-51B conversion. Thanks again.

The Revell upper wing halves fit okay but the Tamiya leading edge pieces do not as you can see. The only thing to do is glue 'em in place as best I can then putty and sand the crap out of 'em. Those particular pieces have always been a PITA anyway but particularly so here. 🤪

This looks like it will be a really nice build. Following along. Do you have a link for Laminar Designs? Thanks.

I'll surely be in for the P-51B conversion! Something that is badly needed.

Thank you and welcome to LSM.

Thanks Gaz!

Some progress.

Good deal! I too have his book but it isn't signed. 🙄

Great looking Sea Fury! Very well done indeed. I like it!!!

Thanks Chris. Fingers crossed on this one! LOL

That sounds like they were in good shape and a pleasure to fly. Pretty good deal to have significant time on those birds.

It looks like it will work out fine. Fingers crossed.

A few years ago I replaced the whole Tamiya wing with a Revell set on a Tamiya P-51. It worked okay but took a lot more work. I think this way it will be easier and get about the same results.

With a little "adjusting" things should fit fairly well.

I plan to replace the Tamiya upper wings with some modified Revell upper wings. It will give me a P-51 model that doesn't have all the little rivets showing. Takes a bit of surgery, etc but, I think, a workable solution to the wing "problem".

I had at first intended to build it as another "Bardahl Special" racer with slightly different markings but, since I have the decals for Go Buggy, I decided to go on and do that instead. I'll probably do the racer at a later date since I really like that overall white finish. And I have the decals for that one too.

Don't feel left out Kevin. I frequently have to re-do something I fouled up and it can be very aggravating to say the least! Hang in there and beat that sucker! I look forward to seeing your finished model.

For sure Chris! LOL

Progress for today so far.

Agreed Carl. The only decals I know of for this a/c are the one's from Draw Decals. They are okay for one that you might see at air shows but aren't accurate for the WW II a/c. They provide a "I" for the squadron markings and the WW II bird was "O". Also, the WW II a/c was a earlier "D" without the tail fillet. So those two things are inaccurate on the Draw sheet. They are however great decals and do have good personal markings for the name, mission markings and the first two letters of the squadron ID ( "MC"). To do a accurate WW II bird the Tamiya, and Revell, kits are good since they come with both tails. Clear as mud Carl? LOL CHANGE OF PLANS: After doing some "research" I find that MC-O was lost and Ilfrey evaded capture and returned to England in 6 days! He was allowed to go back on ops and his NEW P-51 was "I" which was a P-51D-5 w/no dorsal fillet. It also had invasion stripes so the Draw Decals are correct except for the dorsal fillet. So now I plan to do "I".

Should make a nice looking model. Change of plans: "I" is now the one I'll do.

Sounds like some marginal airplanes Ernie. How was their mechanical condition? Let me know how the Valom kit stacks up as I don't want to waste any $$$ on one if it's as crappy as the old William's Bros. kit.