RAF Mustang Mk IV
- 11 February 2012 17:10152877This is my latest - its been a long 6 week build.
The kit is a 1:32 scale Tamiya P51D Mustang. It came with markings for 3 USAAF aircraft but I decided to do some research and depict an RAF machine.
I found that 112 Sdn were equipped with Mustang IV's and IVa's when they were serving in Italy in 1945 and seeing I have done one of their P40's from when they were part of the desert air force, I decided on another 'sharktooth' 112 bird.
Sources were really contradictory about these aircraft as to what was a Mk IV and what was Mk IVa - this was important for the build because these two marks had very different propellers. In the end I found a photo of the aircraft I built showing it with a Hamilton cuffed propeller (a Mk IV) though some sources claimed this aircraft was a Mk IVa.
The photo was unclear about the paint scheme though and again sources were contradictory. In the end, on the weight of evidence, I used what was called the 'Firewall Scheme' rather than the standard RAF camo.
I was disappointed in having problems with the screw that fixed the engine in place, the thread was stripped. One thing led to another and I ended up having to glue the cowl pieces in place for strength so I could not display that engine which is a true masterpiece.
Here are the pics.
- 11 February 2012 17:15152881that explains why you have been a bit quiet on here lately barry.
- 11 February 2012 17:18152883Great pics. there Barry - lots of patience and skills.
Looks a lovely plane - well done.
Roger - 11 February 2012 20:39152929Well done again. Shame about the engine. What's the next one then.
- 11 February 2012 22:12152943Next Colin...
Its a 1:32 US Navy Skyraider, a ground attack aircraft from the Vietnam era - the kit is only the third from a new Japanese company called Zoukei-Mura.
It is a big one, 19 inch wingspan. Its also the most expensive I have bought, in total including the separate box of underwing stores it was around £180....
Here is the box
Here is the stores.....
- 12 February 2012 09:04152992Looks like that caused some damage when used live.
Good luck with it Barry.
Roger - 14 February 2012 15:20153465Wow! thats a massive payload, I wouldn't like to have been on the receiving end of that lot, enjoy the build.
- 14 February 2012 16:38153478They did carry a big payload, its a big aircraft for a single pilot, single engine plane. Those weapons pictured represent a range of load options though, it could not carry all of that at once! You see pics of these just dripping with bombs and rockets. They operated in the ground support role in 'Nam.
- 14 February 2012 17:02153481Yes Barry I realised that, it wouldn't have been able get off the ground with that armament, it must have had quite an advanced weapons system for its time.
- 14 February 2012 17:27153488Blinding!!!!!!!!!! Used to live off of doing models when I was younger. From Hercules ( which my dad used to jump out of) to Spitfires, armored vehicles with them scenes with them, figurines.A Bengal Lancer on horse back was one of my best I had ever done. I think that doing vechiles especially planes is getting as many of the parts to move even if its a case of re-designing some of the pieces. I used to love all the little tricks that you would pick up on how to make things look a certain way.
I remember having thousands of paints brushes, little knives. I remember getting told off by my mum for using her best nail file to rub down the peices. LOL!
I then got into mast ships like the Cutty Sark which was to much for me so that was short lived. I done a few of the birds of prey as well and there it was all in the paint work. Happy days that was for sure. I don't think that a day went past that there wasn't a model on the go on the kitchen table.
I don't know whether you have been in the Works book shop down town as over the Christmas period there was a book in there all about Airfix with loads of pictures that certainly bought back memories.
Anyway fair play to you for having the patience still and stick on some more pictures as it would be great to see them
