Louis @lgardner, not sure it deserves a "Best" stamp on it, but I'll take it. The one thing that has been bugging me is the wheels. The UC-64 had a heavy diamond pattern and the kit wheels are slick. Haven't been able to source some replacements. I have one back-up set that I could possibly Frankenstein. Just haven't pulled the plug on that idea.

Michael @mrieth, LOL 🙂 I see would you did there funny guy! Thanks for following on this journey.

Louis @lgardner, appreciate the offer but it's not quite that simple. The assembly of the wheels is not like your typical model.

Here is an image of what appears to be standard issue for the time.

Here is an image of the two mains, outside on the left and inside on the right.

The wheels integral rim mounts directly to the assembly. Not your typical connection. They skimped on a lot of areas with this kit.

I've got a few days before I go back to work, so I'm seriously thinking about getting the Dremel tool after the other set of wheels. What's the worse that could happen? I've still got the original ones to use.

The Mustangs used a tire with a diameter of 27 inches. I found the picture of the Mustang tire I had but unfortunately it doesn’t show the tire size numbers that are on the sidewall in this particular photo.

The difference between the 30 inch diameter tire and one in a 27 inch diameter at 1/48 scale is going to be .062 thousandths of an inch, (if I did my math calculations correctly). It might not be too terribly noticeable, especially when you consider the trade off you get with a more accurate tire tread pattern.
Hope this helps.

James Ultracast makes the pattern I believe you're looking for that go on a P-51.

https://www.ultracast.ca/1-48-P-51-Mustang-s/114.htm

You may want to have a look.

Tom

Update 12/31/19

This kit wheels were really bugging me. They were flat and very square faced as you can see in the previous images.

Digging through my stash of spares and resin replacement parts, I found my P-51 wheels from Barracuda Cast and an extra set of wheels from a Hasegawa P-47.

Here’s a comparison photo with the painted original kit wheels in the middle. The P-51 wheels looked a little small while the P-47 wheels were a tad bigger. Using either set would require some modification on the rims. Nice thing about the P-47 set, they had multiple options for the rims, including flat caps that matched the UC-64 wheels.

I received a set of punches for Christmas and decided to try them out. BIG MISTAKE! The first victim split into several pieces. The punch has a slight flare and this forced the wheel to split.

Next option was to use an electric drill, starting with a pilot hole and then a 3/8” bit. I clamped the first wheel with a C-clamp to keep my fingers safe. Using a wood bit on the first wheel, it left a pretty rough finish. Since the interior of the rim would not be visible, I was not that concerned. On the second wheel, I switched to a normal 3/8” bit and it worked much better. Here is an image of the original wheels and the replacements ready to be installed.

Wheels installed on the plane.

Up next will be the installation of the engine and prop. Then a final dull coat over the decals and a minor bit of weathering.

MTC………James B

Tom @tcinla, so true. This project started as a simple idea but has blossomed into much more. I still have a few other things to add to it before I will be calling it done. 🙂

Happy New Year to you and yours as well!

Thanks Greg @gkittinger. It has been a fun adventure for sure.