Tamiya 1/32 P-51 D/K

[Handiabled]

Looking great Paul, I'll be watching this one come together!

[Thomas_M]

Beautiful work so far, Paul!

[Paul]

Got the wings assembled and installed plus I only displayed one gun bay and ammo belt, I figured that's good enough. All through out this build I have wondered what it is like to have your best and I think with the way this kit is going so far, I may find out in out a couple of weeks.





The wings went on pretty well with only a small gap in the fit but it still does fit like a glove. Really, Dollar signs are flashing past my eyes as I think of other Tamiya kits yet to build.





I even feel cocky enough to attempt another figure but this time with a bit more attention to detail and not rushing to get any thing done. I could use some pointer on this guy. I still have to get the paint stripped off and re applied and filler in.

[Paul]

I did a bit of an experiment with three paints. Alclad polished alum, Vallejo Alum and Vallejo Chrome. Lets see what you think.

Vallejo Chrome

Vallejo alum

Alclad polished alum

The control is the base coat that I applied. Humbrol gloss black acrylic over Vallejo grey poly primer.

[Paul]

Wow. This is looking really great.

I'm partial to Alclad myself, but those others look convincing as well. Personal taste is what matters I think.

When I was painting mine I ran across a combo that I thought was excellent. all Alclad: Airframe Aluminum on the fuselage, Duraluminum on the wings, and dull aluminum for the doped control surfaces (if you're aircraft has the fabric ones). If you're looking for variety this is a good approach. Generally the wings would have a different look due to the putty process. It's all about what you want in the end though. I like the variation because to me it's more visually appealing.

I agree,however, What I am attempting to do is reason the use for alclad, now the high shiny stuff I can see but when it comes down to the nitty gritty I know those planes didnt look like they were chrome plated for long. I hadn't thought about the doped surfaces but in that case I think that some MM silver or titanium would work there. That stuff looks more like doped fabric to me anyway. I haven't tried any floquil and I am afraid to buy it from the only source here in Okla. That stuff could be higher than a cats back there.

Upper surfaces will be O.D. and the under sides will be one of the Vallejo paints. Ill have to do a bit more s'perementin before I use the alclad all the way.

[LyleW]

the Vallejo looks pretty good to me, given what you have said (and it's true) regarding the state of the plane in the field.

By the way, superb work. You are ready to advertise on ebay as professionally built!

[Paul]

True. You don't really need to go Alclad if you don't want something more "shiny." It really all depends on what look you are going for and they didn't stay that way long as you said.

If you want variation between the wings and fuselage then I think some MM Silver would work beautifully like you say. I actually really like the square Testors bottle of Aluminum for that look.

I apologize if I missed it, but have you decided on markings?

I wont use MM there because the particles are too large but it does make for a good doped finish. I am hoping to do Pete Petersen's Hurry Home Honey. I was just thinking also how it would look with a dot filter. Maybe gray, blue and silver hues

[AIRFIXER]

Great build so far.

Maybe I will start mine in fall. Dunno...
I'm still having some qualms about puttying and filling the upper and lower wing surfaces with all those nice details then being lost. Haven't come to a decision yet. Accuracy vs. Modeler's freedom... <sigh>