P-51D-20 Mustang "Delta Queen", Iwo Jima 1945
Guys, I think this is a bit surprise for my friends here as they were following my Hellcat build in WIP section.
I needed break. I just got to the point when I eager to build something without waiting for 3D model...
Therefore I pull out Mustang from my stash - I knew it is easy and really nice kit, I picked up the best camouflage scheme and started the build, where I did not know anything about the subject.
I would skip any historic background, I assume you all can find everything on the internet today.
The build took me around 2 months where I had breaks because of illness and Christmas, so it was quite quick.
My goal was to deliver some weathering, because I realized I did not built much airplanes with some medium or heavy weathering yet.
This one was not supposed to be heavy, I hope it can still be called medium or normal 🙂 .
Really relaxing kit, although I had to fix some minor issues.
I made several improvements:
3D printed langind light (there was a manufacturing error on the one from the box, but I did not want to ask for replacement)
All stripes on propeller spin and tail are airbrushed, not decals.
Pipes from fuel tanks are added according to some pictures I found.
Antennas are made from wires, I did not use photoetched ones.
Main landing gear bays are improved with wires and profiles.
Weathering is very easy - First, I airbrushed a thinned medium grey color into some cornes or along the panel lines. Some places on wings are lighten with semi-matt aluminium. After placing decals, I made all weathering by using only 3 oil shades - black, grey and braun, all of them Abteilungs.
There is final dust pigment applied on tyres.
Looking at the result I totally understand people admiring this machine, because she is real beauty. However, there will be Corsair and Hellcat in my heart forever at the first place.
Edit note: There are few mistakes in Eduard guide for this machine:
Year should be 1945 - Iwo Jima was taken in 1945. (I will fix on photos).
The name "Delta Queen" should be all red.
Under the cockpit, there is different numbers of missions and name of the pilot is not written in one line. There are teo pictures proving that.
With that all said, I am going back to finishing 3D improvements for my Hellcat and also the kit. I really hope it will go much faster (yes, I learned stuff).
Wow, that’s some really amazing work! Beautiful Mustang!
Please say how you masked and painted the spinner. Amazing results.
It was very challenging and I did not believe it is even possible, really. Phase one: I used tamiya flexi tape and cut it to get one long straight stripe used as middle mask and also the leading line. Then I masked sides very carefuly trying to get straight line with the same width. I stopped at some point from top of the spin. The top of the spin was done as second phase with masking tape cut as arch, becasue the curve there has very small diameter. Also not easy, my hands were shaking when I was trying to make right curve.
1 attached image. Click to enlarge.
This is truly impressive, Martin @naviatik
The painting, especially that spinner, the weathering, all looks perfect on this Mustang.
Hard to believe this is an easy build, looks quite complex to me to get it to look like this.
Very impressive build! I like the approach you took with the weathering the NMF, I will have to give your technique of spraying the thinned medium gray over the aluminum in the corners and some panel lines
Stunningly georgous build, Martin. I cannnot speak to the scale of your weathering, except to say that it looks exceedingly believable. Very realistic to my eyes, only heavy in all the right places, and perfectly complementary to the worn NMF look you have achieved. Well done!
Edit: Wonderful photos and write-up, as usual.
Amazing build!
My compliments on this excellent piece of work, really next level.
Beautiful build Martin! We don’t see enough Pacific VLR Mustangs built in my humble opinion.
Very good results Martin, and I second Jim opinion- there is never too many Mustangs posted, especially from the PTO.
What really impressed me was the skilled masking for those thin spinner stripes, wow
A well-worn Pacific Mustang! Looks fantastic.
Incredible detail!
painting and weathering are fantastic!
Superb work, Martin. You nailed it!
This is an Outstanding build! Thanks for sharing.
Rod
Stunning build. Show quality work all the way around.
Wonderful job, Martin!
Congratulations!
Very nice looking VLR Mustang!
Fantastic work. Excellent job on the natural metal look and finish.
Congratulations, superb weathering...
Holy smokes, that's a beauty! Amazing painting of the spinner and tail stripes, and the weathering is just fantastic - looks perfect, not over-done! Not to mention the NMF...
Beautiful NMF...what paints did you use?
Cheers
Collin
Fuselage is Alclad polished aluminium. Wings are Mr. Paint Super silver (i would not use that again, honestly, it looks too shiny). Rudder is Alclad semi-matt aluminium and around exhaust is Alclad stainless steel.
All is sealed with Tamiya X-22 varnish. I found with my friend that it is safe to use water based varnishes, but lacquer ones can ruin the metallic effect.
Great quick simple build, Martin, very brave to choose an Eduard kit for such a project.
absolutely stunning...everything looks just right!
Thank you all guys. I am really happy you like it, because I am definitely not expert on Mustangs.
Stunning build and impressive weathering - very realistic!
G’day Martin (@naviatik),
This is a lovely Mustang.
You have done a great job with the NMF.
Liked!
Well done, Martin (@naviatik). NMF is very nicely done.
Thanks George, although it was pleasure and I was extremey happy with finish, I am eager to return to Hellcat now, however. 🙂
I am currently making also the pad for Mustang, my friend convinced me to do it. So I will post it here in few more days, probably next week.