Peterpools Posted June 2, 2023 Share Posted June 2, 2023 MORE PONIES IN THE CORRAL P-51D-NA -5 Maj. Ralph Watson, 5th FS 52nd FG, 15th AF Madna, Italy Dec 1944 Time to get a few more Mustangs into the corral as the itch has been getting uncontrollable. I’m planning on a total of four 32nd scale Mustangs over the next twelve months; two Tamiya and two Revell, early and late for each, just not consecutively. It’s been years since I built a Tamiya Mustang and literally, I needed to get back in the saddle. The kit was first released in 2011 and it's Merlin dates back to the Tamiya’s Spitfire releases starting in 2009. I’m an OOB builder and my POA is pretty much build what’s in the box, only adding a Quinta cockpit set, Eduard decals and that’s about it. I’ve started on build #1: Tamiya P-51D-NA-5. What hasn’t seemed to change over the years, the discussion of the interior and exterior colors and of course – to rivet or not to rivet the wings. I was never a fan of the toy like movable control surfaces and along with all their other 32nd scale aircraft I have built, non die cut masks; scissors are a must. I’ve been working on the Mustang for a few weeks and decided I would wait to start the build thread after a good portion of the interior was completed and I’ve reached that point. I have some additional work to do inside the fuselage and front office and am quite pleased with how things are looking. Just love those Qunita 3D detail decals – they do look good and add a lot to the front office. On some of my other Mustangs, I used the Barracuda resin detail sets and on one, I think I used some Eduard PE. But the biggest bang for the buck, has to go to Quinta. Say what you want: parts fit - superb, nearly zero flash after all these years, the instructions are clear and precise and all the parts have color callouts. Just what the doctor ordered. 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
denders Posted June 2, 2023 Share Posted June 2, 2023 It looks very nice, Peter. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnB Posted June 2, 2023 Share Posted June 2, 2023 LOL "Very nice" doesn't come close Peter. More like OUTSTANDING! Well done. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinM Posted June 2, 2023 Share Posted June 2, 2023 It's the ticket Peter looks awfully good but one little complaint..........I want bigger pics..more resolution's ya hear....BIG Awww is what I am looking for. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Landlubber Mike Posted June 2, 2023 Share Posted June 2, 2023 Excellent Peter! Great start. Looking forward to your stampede! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peterpools Posted June 2, 2023 Author Share Posted June 2, 2023 Thanks Dave Just a pleasure to work on a Tamiya kit, as there just aren't any issues. Work carefully and follow the instructions and you're home free. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peterpools Posted June 2, 2023 Author Share Posted June 2, 2023 John, very much appreciated. So far, just a wonderful, stress free build - totally enjoyable and satisfying. Have to admit, the Quinta details so easily brings the interior up to a whole new level, especially the IP. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peterpools Posted June 2, 2023 Author Share Posted June 2, 2023 Thanks Kev I'll work on the pics and up the resolution.📷 😉 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peterpools Posted June 2, 2023 Author Share Posted June 2, 2023 Much appreciated Mike. I'll be looking for all the old time western TV and movie stars to help handle the stampede. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnB Posted June 2, 2023 Share Posted June 2, 2023 20 minutes ago, Peterpools said: John, very much appreciated. So far, just a wonderful, stress free build - totally enjoyable and satisfying. Have to admit, the Quinta details so easily brings the interior up to a who new level, especially the IP. Agreed!!! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
denders Posted June 2, 2023 Share Posted June 2, 2023 3 hours ago, JohnB said: LOL "Very nice" doesn't come close Peter. More like OUTSTANDING! Well done. Sorry John, I guess I'm reserved. 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnB Posted June 2, 2023 Share Posted June 2, 2023 1 hour ago, denders said: Sorry John, I guess I'm reserved. LOL Dave! Not a problem! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GazzaS Posted June 2, 2023 Share Posted June 2, 2023 It looks great, Peter. Four mustangs in one year... pretty lofty goal. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlrwestSiR Posted June 2, 2023 Share Posted June 2, 2023 Great work there Peter. I've yet to build a Tamiya Mustang even though I've owned several since they came out. In fact, I've only done one 1/32 Mustang and that was the Dragon one which I did as a fictional CHP one. I do have a Tamiya kit out at the moment but it's a donor for the Cavalier Mustang. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnB Posted June 2, 2023 Share Posted June 2, 2023 21 minutes ago, BlrwestSiR said: Great work there Peter. I've yet to build a Tamiya Mustang even though I've owned several since they came out. In fact, I've only done one 1/32 Mustang and that was the Dragon one which I did as a fictional CHP one. I do have a Tamiya kit out at the moment but it's a donor for the Cavalier Mustang. I have one set aside for the Halberd Cavalier conversion Carl. My USPO tracking says it should show up in the next few days. Now we need to get Peter to do one too! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlrwestSiR Posted June 2, 2023 Share Posted June 2, 2023 57 minutes ago, JohnB said: I have one set aside for the Halberd Cavalier conversion Carl. My USPO tracking says it should show up in the next few days. Now we need to get Peter to do one too! The Halberd conversion is more or less like subbing in different parts for the kit ones. Sorry for the distraction Peter. Back to your regularly scheduled build. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martinnfb Posted June 2, 2023 Share Posted June 2, 2023 Cavalier group build? LOL Amazing work Peter, as always stunning detail and ultra clean work, your skill set blows my silly mind to the orbit. Just pleasure to follow. Cheers Martin 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlrwestSiR Posted June 2, 2023 Share Posted June 2, 2023 6 minutes ago, Martinnfb said: Cavalier group build? LOL Amazing work Peter, as always stunning detail and ultra clean work, your skill set blows my silly mind to the orbit. Just pleasure to follow. Cheers Martin I'd be up for that. Let me get through the Tomcat first. 2 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinM Posted June 3, 2023 Share Posted June 3, 2023 1 hour ago, BlrwestSiR said: The Halberd conversion is more or less like subbing in different parts for the kit ones. Sorry for the distraction Peter. Back to your regularly scheduled build. So what's with the crater on the side of the Fuse Carl? 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martinnfb Posted June 3, 2023 Share Posted June 3, 2023 That's where the magic happens Edit: Just realized that we're totally drifting from Peter's build. Sorry. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peterpools Posted June 3, 2023 Author Share Posted June 3, 2023 Thanks Gaz Really enjoying the build and most likely you're right that working into my 'build schedule) a total of four 32nd scale Mustangs is a lot and it most likely will spill over into 2024. If it was John build lists, no worries at all. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peterpools Posted June 3, 2023 Author Share Posted June 3, 2023 Thanks Carl Maybe someday you will get the bug to build a few classic Mustangs, who knows. Just the fact the one you have is the donor kit for the Cavalier Mustang, is awesome and it's still a Mustang - just a different version and a bit more work involved then my OOB build. Looking forward to following. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peterpools Posted June 3, 2023 Author Share Posted June 3, 2023 Martin, thank you and so very much appreciated. I just like to follow the instructions, have a few Kalinsky Reed Sable paint brushes to handle the painting and enjoy the journey. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peterpools Posted June 3, 2023 Author Share Posted June 3, 2023 Guys It's OK about showing the work done on the Cavalier Mustang conversion but I agree with Martin, a better place would be a mini GB or Buddy Build so things don't get too confusing. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peterpools Posted June 7, 2023 Author Share Posted June 7, 2023 CLOSING UP THE FUSELAGE With the Mustang being manufactured on our side of the pond, she was fitted with the Packard built Merlin. There are a number of differences between the Rolls Royce and Packard Merlin’s and the parts for each are included in all the Tamiya Spitfire and Mustang kits, so follow the instructions. The Merlin went together without a hitch, as I’ve had lots of practice building Tamiya Merlin’s over the years. Air brushed with Tamiya LP-5 Semi Gloss Black Lacquer, a few parts brush painted Tamiya Flat Aluminum Lacquer LP-38, the larger NBW were picked out with gloss aluminum (just for effect) and then a light dry brushing to bring out the details. Done, finished and unfortunately, much of the details will not be seen. The Merlin is attached to the firewall with a nice size screw for a solid fit as compared to how I struggled with the DB engine in the ZM 109G. Tamiya’s method was simple, secure and full proof. ZM’s chosen method was anything but. The Merlin and firewall were solidly glued to the forward fuel tank and let dry for a few hours. The last of the internal fuselage parts were now added and then it was time to glue up the two fuselage halves. Time was devoted to removing paint from all of the gluing surfaces to help with the fit. Of course, things didn’t go perfectly, a lot of tweaking and tinkering were required, as there are so many assemblies coming together. A good number of the cowl framing and forward engine parts have been built but left off until all the air brush work and decaling has been completed, as what I have on now, is just being test fitted. All the screw attachment holes have been drilled out and adds quite a bit to the overall look. Going back to Tamiya’s Spitfires and Mustangs, I never liked the toy like features of movable control surfaces, vent doors and even a sliding canopy. Suffering through them but next time around, they all will be left off. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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