"Riding My First Mustang" (Mk IV, Eduard 1/48)
Hey Everyone.
As you may recall, I have been trying to challenge myself more with attempting more plane models and getting myself out of my armored comfort zone. I started with the Wurger, then onto the Corsair and now I've tried riding my first Mustang. Again, I know this is probably the most modeled airplane there is and I did my best to achieve two things; 1. to do my first ever NMF and 2. Attempt to do the Mustang the justice it deserves with an appealing to the eye portrayal of this machine.
Not sure I achieved either in my first attempt, but it's a good starting off place to learn moving forward.
I chose to try Eduard's Mustang Mk IV, stationed in Italy at the end of the war and part of the "Shark Squadron". I've always liked the shark mouth's on WW2 planes and although I was worried about using a decal for it, it turned out to be the best decal of the bunch. (More on this below).
Truth be told, I am not a die hard fan of the Mustang. I think it's beautiful and I understand the significance of it's role in WW2, but as a subject it's not my first pic. I decided to enter into a STGB over on britmodeller.com for the stang and this is it. We'll see how it goes. I think it's important as a modeler to sometimes do models that are not your first pic, and use them as a learning experience and to challenge your skills in a new way. It's so easy to do the same thing over and over again. My Tiger fleet as an example of staying in our comfort zones (pic below).
The Build
Not only was this my first stang and NMF, but also my first time doing an Eduard kit. I'd love to say it went well, but alas, it really didn't. I had some monster fit issues with with the fuselage. I guess there are two guide pins near the cockpit that really need to be removed. I didn't know that (why would I) and had to use some serious muscle strength to get it to go. It created quite the warp around the cockpit which of course caused a chain reaction of problems down the line. I was able to get it to work, but it wasn't pretty.
Everything else in general went together well. I wasn't looking to do anything crazy, at least not on this build. I'm taking it slow as I ooze into planes.
The NMF
I've never done one before, so this was a new experience. You can read more about that process here...
https://imodeler.com/2024/04/first-attempt-at-a-nmf-and-first-p-51-wip/
Then came the DECALS!
Oh my word. These of course are the new Eduard "peel film" decals and at first I was both excited and petrified at the process. I watched several tutorials before attempting. I did everything to the letter BUT ran into problems.
First, I am a microset, microsol dude. I was out of both. I had decided to try something stronger with Mr Mark Setter and Softer. I was excited as I like Mr anything usually. Yah, they both caused monster issues with the paint. This was of course AFTER I sealed my work with MRP clear as well as FUTURE, which I thought would guarantee no issues. Wrong, even after 24 hours of cure time, when I would apply Mr Mr, I would get paint issues. Blotches of residue. No problem, just use some water and wipe away. Yah, no go. I had to sand back, repaint with the decals in place. Only thing that saved me was some good AB skills. Very frustrating. After I got that resolved, I let the decals dry 24 hrs.
OK, so just peel and remove yah? WRONG. Although I could get the film to give way, it of course came with the decals in tow. I had to make a decision, try to finesse my way through or kill the removal and make do with the film on. So, I kept the film on. I knew proceeding forward with all the decals would guarantee ongoing issues. I even had a test subject with a spare decal, large marking. Still had the same issue. So, I had to go back to Mr softer and work the film back on. Again, now causing paint issues, again. UUUUUUGGGGHHHHH.
I did finally get to some middle ground I guess. BUT, I had to forgo using all the stencils. It was just too many opportunities for problems. I used vital ones, and had to leave the rest off. I'm OK with it really. I know some modelers will scoff at the idea, but to me, perfection with a model is not mandatory if you can enjoy the final result regardless of faults. That's just me. This is a hobby.
In any case, this is my Mustang. Mistakes and all. I have fallen in love with trying NMF and am already preparing to do a Tamiya P-47D in NMF next. I have already bought decals for it as I know Tamiya is really not the best.
Hope you enjoy the pics and please feel free to comment, critique, and smash if needed.
Cheers,
Graeme
