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More on Mustangs!

Just a quick update on 1/32nd scale P-51 Mustang build and decals. The Tamiya kit  build is basically on hold while I work on the RAAF Mustang decals commission. This is taking much longer than expected but it should be worth the effort in the end with some never seen before RAAF Mustangs.

Unfortunately this has meant a reschedule on the release of the other P-51 Mustang decal release,  'Fool's Paradise' . I'll work towards getting this done by Christmas, 2011 that is!

Oh yes, nearly forgot, I've been asked a few times about the decal 'Galland' in 1/32nd scale and in particular why the kill bars on the rudder are all black. Well, that's what I thought they were at the time of building the kit but the AI decal gives you both a black and red version of the 60 kill bars. You can use either or combine bits from each.  This gives you the freedom to mix the colours to whatever you think is correct! My  advice is to look at the primary reference photos right here on this blog and put little weight on the other photos floating around the internet.

Slow progress on the Eduard Bf 109

Now that I'm well into building this kit I can see it is inferior to the Cyber-hobby kit I built recently. Again we have proof that 'in box' reviews are an absolute waste of time. The kit parts on the sprues look ok even though they do have some flash and when you cut the main parts off and  'dry fit' them together all seems to be ok.

However, this is no substitute for actually gluing the parts together. In building the kit it is apparent that basic construction like the fuselage half join requires putty and the crucial fuselage to wing joint leaves much to be desired. It reminded me of how kits used to be 20 years ago but this kit was released in 2009!

Upshot is if you want a quality 109e-4 kit that is a pleasure to build buy the Cyber-hobby and leave the Eduard one on the shelf.

I may have to put this kit aside for a rainy day. Anyway I'm expecting the superb Tamiya P-51 to land on my doorstep this week. Now this is what scale modelling is all about.

I've taken on a commission to do some decals for the Mustang kit that will hold up my build of the Eduard 109. More on this later.

Not another Bf-109

Yes, I'm building another 109, this time by Eduard in 1/32nd scale while I wait for the arrival of Tamiya's P-51 Mustang. With the Spitfire releases I used my contact in Japan to get me one of the first kits off the production line (no it wasn't nicked from the factory!). I had to pay a premium together with postage to get it to me but it was worth the cost. I'm not really a fan of the Mustang so I didn't worry about getting the kit asap.

I've already started on the Bf-109 kit from Eduard and it's immediately obvious it's not 'Tamiya Spitfire' quality. Keep in mind this standard is as high as you can get and will soon be superseded by the Mustang. So is the kit 'bad'? No, it's a good kit basically if we assume that Tamiya kits don't exist.

It's only a model!

Recently I've seen some comments about 'fondling' and 'caressing' the Tamiya Mustang kit and 'plastic lust' upon opening the box lid. I find it difficult to relate to someone who makes these comments even if jest. It's just way too geeky, nerdish, socially disfunctional and simply odd.
It's only a model! (which Monty Python film was it?) little bits of plastic that you glue together and paint.

Double or nothing?

Just when I thought it was done and dusted when it comes to what markings I'll use of the Tamiya P-51D kit I see a post on hyperscale that provides another possibility, 'Down for Double'.

The post on Hyperscale included a link to a website Critical Past with a short film clip of 'Down for Double' in flight.

The P-51D is 44-15255 with the 354 FS, 355 FG, coded WR-F flown by 'ace', Lt.Col. Gordon M Graham. Note the 16 kill markings although only 7 were gained in aerial combat the balance on the ground.

Which one to do? perhaps I'll prepare the decals for both.

New AI decal for Tamiya P-51 Mustang

For many of us, the first P-51 Mustang model we built was Airfix's 1/72nd kit with markings for 'Fool's Paradise'. Although Airfix didn't get the markings right or give any detail on the aircraft, it has become something of a quintessential representation of the P-51. 

As many of you already know, Aero Imageworks will  soon release a decal in the 'Mini' series with markings for 'Fool's Paradise' in 1/32nd scale specifically designed for use on Tamiya's new kit. If you are interested in this decal please email me as the more interest, the more likely it is that I'll be able to reduce the price.