P-51C "Lucky Thirteen"
Something different from the Bebout Curtiss P-40 Factory, Jackie Cochran's Lucky Thirteen P-51C. If you're not familiar with Jackie Cochran one can summarize her as an aviator, test pilot, spokesperson as well as a successful businesswoman. If interested you can learn about her history and her numerous aviation records she set over the years by clicking on the below link. She was needless to say quite a woman and aviator.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacqueline_Cochran
I used the old Accurate Miniatures 1/48 scale P-51C which has now been re-boxed by Academy. Decent little kit, no real fit issues, only disappointment were the thick canopies used with their P-51 line. In this case I cut the canopy open to better reveal the interior. Mostly build OOB, and per usual I added an Ultracast seat with molded belts. Tamiya TS-35 Park Green was used for the exterior, Model Master Interior Green for the cockpit. The aux fuel tanks are from an Academy P-38 and were in fact used on this machine as depicted in a photo taken in California in 1947. I did add come additional radio/navigation gear to the cockpit and used nylon thread for the antenna wire.
Fun little build for me, not a show winner but she's pleasing to look at.
Two thumbs up!
Very Nice ! I like it Tom. @tom-bebout
A while back I picked up a set of decals for another Post War race Mustang. They were for the plane owned by Jimmy Stewart and it's a nice dark blue metallic color.
I will definitely check the "like" button. Two thumbs up buddy.
You got the wheels turning again and the urge to start a new group build for Air Racing. 😉
https://www.aircorpsaviation.com/project/p-51c-thunderbird/
Aircorps aviation is doing a restoration of Jimmy Stewarts plane. Which was built from left over parts and did not have a registration plate. They're using a D model wing. Both of these birds are neat subjects that don't often get modeled.
Checked out that site. Excellent information
A real nice one Tom!
Well done, Tom!
A winner! A not often seen scheme!
Exceptional scheme and beautiful build, Tom @tom-bebout
Well done.
Great build, Tom! Always good to see common subjects in uncommon paint schemes!
Looks fast sittin' still. Very good looking job.
Oh, that is cool. ? Fantastic tribute to Ms. Cochran, a great trail-blazer in her time! Thanks for building, and posting that one! ?
Nicely done and unusual, what's not to like?
Like it, And those tanks looks a bit provocative.
Nice to see something different - well done!
Really nice, Tom. I like the post-war racers, and you have really done this nicely.
Nice to see something different. That green looks very cool. And that Accurate kit was very good in it's day.
Come to think of it, those tanks do look very provocative the more I stare at them.
Nice work, Tom. I have one of those kits stalled out on the SoD because of the canopy. I’ve built three prior, but for some reason the last one was a lot worse.