1/48 Mustang 1, AG470, RU*M flown by F/O Hollis Hills, 414 Squadron, RCAF – first Mustang kill.
Here's some photo's of one of my latest, an Accurate Miniatures 1/48 Mustang 1a converted into a Mustang Mk 1 at the time of the Dieppe raid. It's AG470, RU*M as flown by F/O Hollis Hills (an American) flying with 414 Sqdn, RCAF when he scored the first Mustang victory over an FW-190.
Note - at the time of Dieppe, Hills's aircraft was not yet fitted with the oblique camera, the cut out quarter window was part of the camera fit, so the unaltered window was used.
I used the Ultracast resin conversion set, an Ultracast seat and fishtail exhaust, a spare set of prop blades from an Eduard P-39 kit (they are the correct blades), a set of decals produced by IPMS Canada and kit decals, and some scratch building interior details and the missing stepped armor plate behind the seat , and vacuforming side canopy windows.
It's painted with Tamiya acrylics, and weathered with oils and pastels.
Hope you like,
Colin
-
- 1. I wanted to have the canopy open, but the kit parts were to thick, so I vacuformed replacements over some pieces of tin ...
-
- 1. Framework from plastic strip, and some details and handles, and you are done
-
- 1. Not Hills's aircraft, but only a few serial numbers off
What a mess...an American, in a Canadian unit, in a British ordered aeroplane, shot down a German over French territory.
Looking really good. Nice to see an early Mustang and not another of the NMFs of late war.
That’s one beautiful looking model, including the cockpit. Gorgeous. Your models never cease to impress me.Thanks for sharing the story of the pilot and it’s plane Colin
Sharp, Colin. Great work on the canopy. That’s the weakest part of that kit.
Beautifully built & finished, Colin! Like Stellan Schroeder Englund mentioned, it's an interesting international combination of countries represented in one model from back then.
Outstanding!
Finally, a Accurate kit with a accurate prop. The Mustang wouldn't be a Mustang with out the British Purchasing Commission. Add a Allison engine and the design and its performance managed to over come the inept thinking of a few souls who didn't know better . . .
Another treat Colin in bring out the best in a kit.
Two thumbs up.
What a beautiful and detailed build, Colin.
Like it a lot.
An excellent Mustang, Colin!
A joy to watch!
Superb finish and outstanding attention to detail, Colin. I especially love the extra work you did on the open canopy. As with all of your posted builds, this one has fine paintwork and just the right amount of weathering for my taste. BTW, I have this scheme in mind for my 1/32 RAF Mustang Mk.1a (Hobby Craft). I understand the HC kit is just a scaled up version of the Accurate Miniatures model, so I hope I can get it to look half as good as yours. No conversion kits at this scale so work would be entailed to do a Mk 1 like yours. Incidentally, I have never seen a model of an early Mustang photographed so well. The angles and lighting you've used really bring out the beauty of the airframe.
Beautiful paint work, canopy, added detail, and overall superb attention to the finer details (such as the staggered nose MGs). Great work with this old kit, and thanks for sharing your hard work!
I really like this. Your result is really excellent. I "like" it a lot.
With "Inaccurate Miniatures," the people who bought the old Accurate Miniatures, putting the wrong nose part in their "RAF Mustang" kit (the part is accurate for the cannon-armed Mustang IA, not the Mustang II, which had a wider carb intake), doing a Mustang I is a "natural". I've been collecting the various extra parts needed to do this "old school."
Hollis Hills went back to the US in November 1942 and joined the US Navy. He went to the Pacific with VF-32 aboard USS Langley (the squadron was commanded by Robert Winston, author of "Dive Bomber," the best pre-war account of US naval aviation, and later "Fighter Squadron," an account of VF-32 that is one of the best first-hand accounts of the Central Pacific campaign). Hills took part in the Truk Raid in February 1944, shooting down two Zekes, and later the Marianas Turkey Shoot where he became an ace shooting down two more Zekes. he's one of three Navy WW2 aces who had non-Japanese credits.
Amazing detail work!
Flowless! It's beautiful!
The first: You know modelin. Second: You know photography. Third: Perfect! 😀
This is one of the best builds of this kit I have seen. I have been a fan of Accurate Miniatures from the start because despite being fiddly they build into great replicas like yours.
Well done Colin, that's a good looking pony. As you mentioned the weak part of the AM Mustangs were the thick canopies, plus the wrong props. You've certainly conquered those flaws.
Looks like you've done a great job with this kit, definitely liked.
Wow! Great job on this pony. Liked.
This is a real beauty! I really have to do a Pony in Brit colors/markings - it is such a pleasing combination. This one is fantastic.