Airframes
Benevolens Magister
I agree with Wojtek H. Another reason for leaving off the prop / spinner, on any model you can, is to prevent it getting damaged. Same as any other 'sticky out bit' which can get in the way, such as landing gear, antenna etc.
Leaving off these items, even if it means modifying the fitting in some way, prevents damage,and makes handling, and especially painting, a lot easier. I think the quote about the spinner meant that, if it was already painted before assembly, it would need re-painting afterwards, in order to blend the joints with the paint.
To answer your question about the gear doors on the P51 D, the entire inside of the wheel bays and the doors were clear-lacquered aluminium, with the exception of the rear wall of the wheel bay, which was actually the front face of the main spar for the wing. This was zinc chromate. Some colour pics of preserved Mustangs might show this area in Interior Green, or Zinc chromate, but, during WW2, it was as just described, and there is plenty of photo evididence to support this, as well as documentation.
So, basically, paint the area a matt, or semi-matt silver colour.
Leaving off these items, even if it means modifying the fitting in some way, prevents damage,and makes handling, and especially painting, a lot easier. I think the quote about the spinner meant that, if it was already painted before assembly, it would need re-painting afterwards, in order to blend the joints with the paint.
To answer your question about the gear doors on the P51 D, the entire inside of the wheel bays and the doors were clear-lacquered aluminium, with the exception of the rear wall of the wheel bay, which was actually the front face of the main spar for the wing. This was zinc chromate. Some colour pics of preserved Mustangs might show this area in Interior Green, or Zinc chromate, but, during WW2, it was as just described, and there is plenty of photo evididence to support this, as well as documentation.
So, basically, paint the area a matt, or semi-matt silver colour.