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stephen leslie
16 articles

Tamiya Mustang IV..

July 22, 2017 · in Aviation · · 16 · 2.1K

This is my P51K done as a IV of 3 Squadron RAAF in Italy 1945.

There are no decals on this model whatsoever as I wanted to try HGW's wet transfer stencils and I can say that they are a great product.

All the national and personal insignia were painted using Montex Masks except for the southern cross on the tail. For some reason Montex reversed the port side and both sides were out of shape, so I had to cut my own for these.

I used HGW stencils for the cockpit as well as their brilliant seat belts. I also bought a lot of resin and a Yahu instrument panel for the cockpit but I ended up just using the Barracuda seat and pimped up the kit dashboard.

I had recently built a 1/32 and super detailed the engine so I'd had enough of that and just painted this one black and closed it up.

The NMF on the model was painted using various shades of Alclad over Tamiya semi-gloss black and Future.

Also, I've seen a lot of debate over the rudder and code colour but saw an article on the 3 Squadron site which claims that the correct colour was the same as the RAAF ensign, made sense to me so that's what I went with. Look's fine to me.

The pilot figure is from Wings Cockpit and whilst he looks nothing like Murray Nash I couldn't resist using him as he just looks so "fighter pilot".

Reader reactions:
13  Awesome

19 additional images. Click to enlarge.


16 responses

  1. Beautifully done, it is such a great kit, nice to see one in a different livery than we usually see!

  2. Sweet job on an equally sweet kit. Nice work.

  3. Well done Steve. I like the pilot figure too. It's Tamiya not much to nit pick and complain about when it comes to perfection.

    Two thumbs up.

  4. Stephan, really nice piece of modeling, I particularly like your finish, not too shinny yet not too dull, a nice realistic look. Good work here !

  5. Nice weathering !

  6. Nicely done Stephen beautifully judged weathering!

  7. Outstanding! Well done, Sir!

  8. Really impressive. Very well done! I have learned a lot just by looking at the pictures! Thank you.

  9. Beautiful work! Epsecially like the weathering.

  10. You've made the most of this kit, just beautiful to look at.

  11. Excellent! I like the weathering and staining you achieved, especially on NMF.

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    P.k said on July 24, 2017

    Great nice build i LIKE!

  13. Superb. Simple as that.

    Ian.

  14. What a wonderful Mustang ! I echo the sentiments stated above... Simply amazing !

    Two thumbs up Sir... I really like it.

  15. Thank you, gentlemen, for your kind words.
    For those interested most of the weathering was done with oils after the model was coated with an extremely light coat of Tamiya semi-gloss clear tinged with a drop,
    (only) of dark earth.

  16. Beautiful job. great presentation.

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