P-51D Mustang – Tamiya 1/32
All in all this was one of the most challenging builds I have taken on in 1/32, next to my Trumpeter P-38. There are many parts and the system of magnets and screws that allows you to remove panels for the engine and gun bays and have the gear up for flight is too complicated from my tastes. I will upload separate pics of the engine and completed gun bays later on. I don't much like displaying models with everything opened up but I did the work and it is worth sharing separately when I am in the mood to take it all apart.
The full build of the model is available here in the Work in Progress - Aircraft Group Build:
https://imodeler.com/groups/work-in-progress-aircraft/forum/topic/p-51d-mustang-tamiya-1-32-38/
To quickly summarize the finish, I used Vallejo Acrylic Metal Color Semi Matte Aluminum overall for the model, then sprayed on Gunze Olive Drab #1 for the camo and Tamiya Flat Black and Flat White for the D-Day stripes and ID stripes. The black underside ID bands that intersect the white at the leading edge were actually done with kit decals. It is very time-consuming and nerve-wracking to mask off the metal color to spray on the other colors, so I wasn't going to risk it for the black ID bands on bare metal. I used a completely new method for me of masking the wavy demarcation line of the fuselage OD - using frisket film. This very low tack clear plastic worked very well and did not pull up any metal coat. Anyone who followed the build in the GB knows that I also used a lot of paper and Silly Putty to mask of metal areas in the painting process. Tedious to do but good results. In general, the acrylic metal coat for the exterior is very nice to use but quite fragile. I was super careful with matte coating around the metal areas and have left them a bit shiny near decals. I may dull them down a bit yet when my Vallejo Semi-Matte coat arrives by mail. For now, I have used Gunze Flat coat on all OD areas and to blend in decals (another first for me - seemed to work well). Weathering for the OD surfaces, is pre-shade and post shade, with an oil wash to both painted and metalized surfaces.
I created fuel lines from the wings to the drop tanks.
Overall, I enjoyed the build but I am glad it is done and I can move on to other projects. It is great to have a big Mustang in my stable and I really enjoy the lines of the aircraft. BTW, the last seven images are with my SLR and the rest are the iPad. Hope you like it.
That's one nice looking Mustang, Colin. Nice job on the scheme. I've always liked the NMF and OD schemes. Well done all around!
Thanks, Gary. I find Olive Drab and unpainted aluminum schemes offer more weathering options than all bare metal. Roughly field-painted versions with the wavy demarcation are especially interesting, IMO. Brown's aircraft is my favorite example and not built that often.The next half-OD P-51D I do will be Richard "Pete" Peterson's "Hurry Home Honey" - much easier with the straight line demarcation. I think I'll have to go with the Revell kit next time, though, as it is much less work than the Tamiya!
Truly wonderful job!
Thanks, Robert. Kind of you to comment. I'm glad you like the build.
You've done a typical excellent @coling job here Colin, with what is a "challenging kit" because it's more "toy" than "model." Very nice result.
I built one of these kits, and that was plenty. I have thoroughly disliked Tamiya going for the "over-detailed toy" end of the market with their recent kits. I'm at the point I don't even pay attention to what they're doing any more and haven't done any new ones since I reviewed the F4U-1 and F4U-1A. Their Spitfire I was so outclassed by Eduard's, not to mention Eduard allows you to do all the sub-types. I think of Eduard now the way I used to think of Tamiya 20 years ago. (YMMV 🙂 )
Thanks, Tom. I think Tamiya plays it's cards carefully and no doubt makes good money by having kits with both mass appeal and justification for a higher price tag with all their "features".. They have been in the game for a long time and I think really support the hobby well. One thing I noticed about the Tamiya P-51d besides its gimmicky features, is its accuracy and mostly very precise fit. I wouldn't personally call it a toy in the same vein as some of Trumpeter's offerings, but to each his own. In the end, I do generally have a more enjoyable building experience with Hasegawa and Special Hobby kits than I do with 32nd scale Tamiya, in that I don't care very much about engine detail or open gunbays. Even so, I will build another Tamiya Mustang as I have 2 more in my stash and have things figured out now so I can speed up the build. My next Tamiya P-51D will be Pierce McKennon's Ridge Runner - no need for invasion stripes, just the red nose, red and white trim and easy to apply decals. I also have several of their Spitfire IXs and 2 Corsairs. I think I have too many models, ha ha.
I'm the opposite. For me the engine is half the story of these birds! But I agree with Tom that Tamiya try to be all things. Eduard's kits come "clean" but often have aftermarket engines if you want. The other thing with Tamiya 1/32 is they are WAAY too expensive especially for a buttoned up Mustang. See Revell's offerings in the same scale. Wonderful Mustang. Love the fuel pipes (which Tamiya don't provide, oddly!)
Super clean build. I’m currently building a 1:48 NMF/Drab P-51 so I know how time consuming and complicated the masking and finishing can be. You nailed this one. Nice show piece and thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Matt. I look forward to the results of your current build. It is interesting to see how other modelers problem-solve when working with NMF and combined colors. I am partial to a lot of the 357th FG's schemes. I love the looks of the red and yellow checkered noses with the RAF Green finish, often with NMF elements.
And yes, friskit film helps. One just needs super sharp x-acto to make the precise cuts. I used on my current build to replace so decals that got ruined and for a shark mouth on a previous P-40 build.
Your P-51 came to a spectacular finish, Colin (@coling). The detail is very good, as well as the paint and markings. It was a pleasure following along on this one. I am saving your build as instructions for the one I have in my stash. Well done.
Thanks, George. I am happy to hear that my build log was useful to you. It was certainly useful for me and the next Tamiya P-51D I do will be much less of a headache to figure out. I do like the large canvas of a 32nd scale kit and Tamiya never disappoints with the quality of their details and general design.
Really nice Mustang Collin- looks like this one must have kept you quite busy for a long time. Way to go the extra mile with the gas lines and extra detail- it really stands out! The OD/NMF finish is my personal favorite for Mustangs and you really nailed the look of this one. Excellent result as usual!
Thanks, David. The P-51 started out as a COVID project - one of many - and I got most of the interior and engine done almost two years ago. Then, the complexity of how to paint it kind of put me off and I set it aside to work on other things. I picked it up again 8 months ago and worked on it pretty steadily after that to finally finish it. Next time it will be a lot easier and faster, even if I only have weekends and a few evenings for hobby stuff. Every kit helps you develop your bag of tricks for next time.
A superb result, Colin! As is the case with all of your builds, your attention to detail is supreme, every aspect of the model shines.
Your build thread was, again as usual, a joy to follow, concise and detailed.
Congratulations!
Thanks, Spiros. I am glad the build thread was useful and informative. I am not always sure my insights are worth following or my narrative sufficiently clear, but I try.
Great build, Colin! Very sharp looking Mustang build, great job on ths finish.
Thanks, Bob. Glad you like it!
All your excellent modelling skills are present in this Mustang, Colin @coling
So much detailing and amazing paintwork.
It was wonderful to see the progress on this build in your thread, thanks for sharing all used techniques and approaches.
Thanks, John. Your participation in the build process was a real motivator.
Great build on the Mustang Colin. Nice to see P-51's from the 354th as they were based at my local WW2 airfield, Boxted near Colchester in Essex UK. Nice museum there and until recently when age prevented had several veterans come over and relive their time while in the UK. Very emotional reunions 👍
Thanks, Guy. It is good to know there are still people who remember the history and honor those who served by taking the time to talk to them. I haven't seen many builds of Henry Brown's P-51D, although it is well-known from images and historical accounts. The designation of Fighter Groups vs Fighter Squadrons is very confusing sometimes. I am sure if I don't mention this, Tom Cleaver will jump in (as our esteemed recently published scholar of the USAAF). Brown's 354th Fighter Squadron was actually part of the 355th FG, which flew out of Steeple Morden in Hertfordshire. Apparently it reverted to farmland after the war and little remains of it. Boxted was another base of great importance as the home of the Pioneer Mustang Group the 354th FG. You are lucky to be near such an historic place with an equally significant museum, especially for the story of the P-51. I plan to visit the UK sometime soon and hope to see the various aircraft museums, connected with former airbases like Boxted, Cosford and Duxford. So much to see and remember.
Cool Mustang, Colin, your great research and attention to detail have made the most of Tamiya’s already excellent kit.
Thank you, George. Getting the details right is a pleasure in itself, even if it can be quite a lot of work. Thanks for looking.
Cool Mustang! Very nice paiting!
Thank you, Bernard. Very kind of you to take the time to comment.
Beautifully finished and photographed. The drop tank plumbing is especially eye catching!
Thanks, Colin. I take that as a great compliment, given your own contributions to the website. Your builds and articles give me something to aim for.
Looks great. I've always had a hankering to do one of these NMF-olive painted jobs, but that might be a bridge too far for me. I'm on the fence about the 1/32 Tamiya kits - I do like the detail but I also like to have my models parked with an open canopy but everything else buttoned-up. That's why I never finished the gun bays in my Tamiya P-51. The Tamiya 1/32 scale kits are eye-watering expensive, but sometimes you can find a deal on the Tamiya USA web site. For example, right now they're selling the 1/32 Spitfire Mk VIII for $99. I took a similar deal when I bought my P-51K kit from them a couple of years back.
Thanks, Greg. Tamiya kits are definitely expensive and a challenge to build completely. They set the standard in 1/32nd with their A6M5 a few years back and have followed the pattern ever since - more so lately with many sudden new releases like the Mosquito and Corsair. I think they are worth the price but I am intimidated by the possibly of messing them up irreversibly by not planning well enough in the build process. I also find the finish at risk when you are supposed to take them apart to display engines, gun bays etc. That's partly because I use acrylics, which can be quite vulnerable to scratching and scuffing. Anyway, I did enjoy this build and will do more - its just hard to imagine I will ever have enough time (or space!) to complete every subject that interests me. Good luck finding what you like on sale. I have found some pretty good deals on eBay.
Terrific looking Mustang Colin. When you go to the UK try to coordinate so you can attend the legendary Legends airshow at Duxford. Best airshow I’ve ever been to. And the museums there are also a must see. Just take the train from London. EZ.
Thanks, Eric. I can only get away in July, so I will just miss the airshow. Even so, I hope to get out to Duxford and Cosford. Good to know the bus ride is easy. I will be traveling with my daughter, who is not so enthused about airplanes as I am but willing to humor me. I haven't been to London since the 1980s as a 20 something backpacker. Lots to do, maybe connect with long lost family as well as experience the history.
That's a great-looking Mustang! I also like the NMF schemes when they've got some additional paintwork - more character to them.
Thanks, Greg. Glad you like it. NMF is a steep learning curve but i think I am getting the hang of it. Using the acrylic metal coat has allowed me to back up and fix mistakes without redoing the entire finish. I can't recommend the Vallejo Metal Coat paints enough.
Great build and finish.
Thanks, Chas. I love the work you did on your A5Ms, both the metal and camo versions.
Nicely finished model, bare metal looks good.
Thanks, Mark. I am glad you like it and good of you to take the time to comment.
I'm really impressed with your Mustang! One of the things I'm trying to improve on is builds with bare medal.