1/48 Tamiya F-51D

[Fearsome-13]

Morning all,

Have a look at a quick build I did using the Tam P-51D. Built as a 2 Sqn SAAF F-51D in Korea.

I used an Aires cockpit set, and it was going to be my first attempt at using Alclads.


After quite alot of research on the P-51 cockpit color conundrum, I decided to go for a well used look. Laying down a base of Interior green, and then a mix of German Grey and Black (tam acrylics), then weathered the black mix away to show the IG underneath.

Having read alot about the surface prep required for Aclads, I spent far more time than I should have preparing the kit for paint. This included filling in the wing panel lines, as was done on the P-51. I couldnt find any definitive answers, so I worked on a best guess average from research done online.

Then it was time for alclads... the bird was primed and painted with tam X-1, then gloss coated...

On her own legs for the first time

I subsequently made a boo boo with the weather process, so she isnt yet finished. I havent got the heart to strip off the paint and start again, so I'm strongly considering finishing her with the boo boo and moving on.

 

[Wurger]

 

[Wildcat]

Nice!

 

[Wayne Little]

Nicely done!

 

[N4521U]

I like the colors in the cockpit.........
now I just have to remember the process you used.

 

[Crimea_River]

Looks good. I'm no expert but am a bit surprise that the Alclad over Tamiya paints worked out. Alclad is lacquer based and Tamiya acrylic so putting the Alclad over Tamiya would have been something I would have avoided. Glad it worked out though.

 

[Lucky13]

Very nice...!

 

[ade]

Looking good, considering this kit for my next build

 

[Geedee]

Looking good !...but then it is a '51 anyway

 

[Airframes]

Nice one.

 

[N4521U]

Well now.............. I found a way to remember!

Copy the photo to your computer...
Open photo in an editing program...
Swipe text in the post window, copy text... (Control/C)
In the photo editor select the text button, place the cursor on the photo...
Paste the copied text at the cursor... (Control/V)

Bob's your loody uncle!

 

[Fearsome-13]

Nicely done.

If you haven't tried it yet, I used the 'hairspray' method for the weathering.

Essentially between then the IG and black paint layers, is a layer of hairspray. Any of your off the shelf in the supermarket type variety hairspray will do.

To expand on the steps above:

Lay down the IG. let it dry.

Lay down a layer of hairspray (Get odd looks from the better half!). let it dry

Lay down the layer of cockpit black.... and as before, let it dry.

Then using a stiff brush (I've used a tooth brush for example), and a little bit of water... start to scrub over the cockpit black.

The water will break up the hairspray layer, as you scrub.. leaving the IG showing thru.

Finally, seal it off with a matt coat of your choice and do the rest of the detail painting.

 

[Gnomey]

Looks good so far!