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Tom Bebout
142 articles

Accurate Miniatures 1/48 P-51C

February 15, 2017 · in Aviation · · 27 · 3.2K

When you get some time off, build some models is what I say. Seem to be on a kick right now and here's my latest off the work bench. Had some trouble closing up the fuselage but believe it was operator head space and not the fault of the kit. Add several more boo boos and it's a great 3 foot model. Did add an ultracast seat but the rest is OOB. paints were used and the antenna is nylon threat, the exhaust stains are from artist chalks..

This P-51C depicts the one flown by Lt. Lester Arasmith from the 528th Fighter Squadron, 311th Fighter Group, 14th Air Force..He would end the war with 6 air kills and 5 destroyed on the ground. He would further serve and have a distinguished career in the Air Force. Fighter operation with 14th AF ranged from bomber escort to ground attack under operational conditions that ranged from bad to worse than terrible. Additionally they seem to be always short of personnel and supplies.

Reader reactions:
9  Awesome

12 additional images. Click to enlarge.


27 responses

  1. That's a lovely Mustang Tom! Don't see may C's built.

  2. Tom, thanks! It looks really good! At least as on a par with Tamiya, and it's got the strake, too. Good addition to the P-51 family of models. Can't have too many Mustangs!
    Operator head space! I haven't thought of that in years! Made my day!
    Drive on!

  3. Tom, this is really nice, of course I'm a bit of a P-51 fan (actually a big fan), so when its a Mustang, I take notice, but when its done this well, I really admire it. Well done !, I'll be visiting this again.

  4. Nicely done Tom, very good natural metal finish and an excellent choice of markings.

  5. Quick tip on avoiding the most common P-51 mistake - proper alignment of the landing gear.

    The only P-51 kit that is fool-proof about alignment is the 1/32 Tamiya Mustang. All the rest are traps waiting to be sprung on the unwary.

    If you attach the landing gear, then hold the model so you are looking down on it directly,at 90 degrees, everything is correct when the axle of the main gear is exactly beneath the leading edge of the wing.

    I hear the new Meng kit is designed so this is not a problem.

  6. Fantastic job. A real pretty Penny.

  7. I really like it Tom, looks great. The metal finish really caught my eye...Two thumbs up buddy.

  8. Nice job ,Tom. Love the NMF, and the weathering. Excellent work

  9. Beautiful looking build, Tom...maybe adjust the lighting somewhat next time. Could be just me, but they look a tad dark. Jus' sayin'... 🙂

  10. Love the AM kits, miss them as they were fun to build, love their approach in packaging, the instructions, kit layout, challenging but fulfilling, I have this one in the stash. Nice work on a NMF Mustang, well done. Thanks for sharing.

  11. I must admit it was the finish that first caught my eye, it looks great especially with the contrasting yellow on the tail. Very neat work on the canopy framing as well.

  12. Lovely job on a lovely kit. Fantastic.

  13. Great job. Don't see many models from the 14thAF

  14. Great color combination, great build!

  15. LOVE those P-51s! I'm a s****r for "big nosed aircraft" (spinners) & yellow highlights. Great model, Tom.

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