Revell P-51D is next

[JohnB]

I've been doing some work on this one off and on for a couple of weeks. Something to stay busy with when the B-25D was paused for glue/paint to dry etc. My intention is to convert the Revell early "D" without the fin strake to a later version that had the strake (my kit is for the early strakeless version). I'll use some left over Tamiya tail assemblies that have the strake for the "conversion". This will be a 20th FG nmf build inspired by the attached photo. 🙂

[JohnB]

Tamiya tail attached. Fit well! Not perfect but acceptable. 🙂

[CANicoll]

John,  Beautiful job grafting the Tamiya tail onto the Revell kit!  I've built both and actually prefer the Revell kit especially for the cockpit detail.  Merry Christmas!

Chris

[belugawhaleman]

Nice work John😀 I would never even thought of trying something like that!!

[JohnB]

4 hours ago, CANicoll said:

John,  Beautiful job grafting the Tamiya tail onto the Revell kit!  I've built both and actually prefer the Revell kit especially for the cockpit detail.  Merry Christmas!

Chris

Thanks Chris. The Tamiya kits have better fit than the Revell kits in my opinion but they are both good kits. Merry Christmas to you too! 

[Martinnfb]

Transition looks perfect.
Merry Christmas John

 

Martin

 

[JohnB]

2 hours ago, belugawhaleman said:

Nice work John😀 I would never even thought of trying something like that!!

LOL Paul. I had the Revell kit of the early "D" but wanted to build a later version. I had the parts and decided to give it a try. Luckily the Tamiya tail fit rather well! 🙂

[JohnB]

Just now, Martinnfb said:

Transition looks perfect.
Merry Christmas John

 

Martin

 

Thanks Martin! Merry Christmas to you too! 🙂

[JohnB]

I mentioned earlier that, in my opinion, the Tamiya kits have much better fit. I thought I'd post a few photos of some of the "problem" areas on the Revell kits that are not present on the Tamiya kits. I've built SEVERAL of each so I think I know whereof I speak LOL. I like both the Revell and Tamiya kits but I'll have to admit the Tamiya kits are my favorites due to the lack of fit problems. Not to say the Tamiya kits don't have a "bug" or two. The "worst" I think is the rivet detail on the wings. Nice details for sure but the P-51's had puttied wings which resulted in smooth surfaces. 🙂

[JohnB]

Wing assembly attached. Took a bit of trimming and some CA adhesive but its in place now. 🙂

[JohnB]

Rudder, horizontal stabilizers and elevators installed. The elevators are Tamiya and are of the metal type. 🙂

[JohnB]

Good progress. Paint soon!🙂

[CANicoll]

John,  I am very surprised at the fit problems you are having with the Revell kit.  Like you, I've built several of each - Tamiya and Revell - and never ran into the fit problems you are having.  Yes, Tamiya fits perfectly, but what you are seeing with the wing root gap is a huge surprise to me.

But agree that the Revell wing is a better representation of the actual Mustang puttied wing.  Not sure why Tamiya didn't pick up on that.  I remember trying to fill in the wing with Mr. Surfacer and went mad with all of the coats needed to fill in the wing.

I do seem to remember that neither Revell or Tamiya captured the oil canning of the flaps.  I used AMUR's resin flaps - beautiful things!

Your grafting of the Tamiya tail looks perfect.  Nice work John!