Subject:  
P-51D
MUSTANG
Kit Used: Tamiya 1/72

Model & Story by:
Travis Blevins
Age 14
Pictures: R. Forys





This is the 1/72 scale P-51D Mustang by Tamiya. This is the 1/72 scale P-51D Mustang by Tamiya. This is the 1/72 scale P-51D Mustang by Tamiya. This is the 1/72 scale P-51D Mustang by Tamiya. This is the 1/72 scale P-51D Mustang by Tamiya.
This is the 1/72 scale P-51D Mustang by Tamiya. This is the 1/72 scale P-51D Mustang by Tamiya. This is the 1/72 scale P-51D Mustang by Tamiya. This is the 1/72 scale P-51D Mustang by Tamiya. This is the 1/72 scale P-51D Mustang by Tamiya.




The Kit:   This is the 1/72 scale P-51D Mustang by Tamiya.   It was a well fitting kit, with no major problems.   This is a highly detailed model for 1/72 scale.   It has engraved panel lines, and also the cockpit is very nice.   There are many other companies that make this kit, but Tamiya has the highest quality to me.





[I chose Big Beautiful Doll because I wanted to face the challenge of applying the checkerboard decals to the cowling.]



The kit decal sheet gave several options.   You could choose from different aircraft such as Big Beautiful Doll, Old Crow, and a few more.   I chose Big Beautiful Doll because I wanted to face the challenge of applying the checkerboard decals to the cowling.   The Big Beautiful Doll was also my favorite too.




[It was a well fitting kit with no major problems, and was a highly detailed model for 1/72 scale.]



The History:   The P-51 Mustang was designed and built in just 117 days.   Over 16,000 of them were made.   Over half of those were P-51D Mustangs.   The P-51 Mustang was made in many different versions.   There was the "A", "B", "C", "D", "H", "L", and "M" models.   I did the "D" model Mustang.   The differences between most of them are the canopy, which was either the bubbletop or the hatch type.   The earlier "A", "B", or "C" versions had the hatch type, and the "D" models and later had the bubbletop.   The P-51D could go up to 437 mph.   The P-51 usually came out victorious in its battles because it could outrun and over power most of its enemies.




[The bare metal finish is a result of 2 coats of Alclad Polished Aluminum over a semi-gloss black base.] [Over 16,000 Mustangs were made.]



Painting:   The painting of the model was my favorite part.   The cockpit was green chromate with some details here and there.   Now we get to the fun part.   Since I was going to weather the plane after it was painted, I decided to use the Alclad Chrome.   After I painted the model and let it dry, I wasn't happy with the way it looked.   It wasn't chrome - it came out to be a dark metal color.   So then I repainted it semi-gloss black, let that dry, and tried painting it with Alclad Polished Aluminum.   It still came out a little dark, so I gave it another coat, and it was perfect.




[ A very fine point paint pen was used for the engraved panel lines. ]



Finishing:   After the paint was dry, then I had to weather it.   I used a very fine point paint pen for the engraved panel lines.   On the real plane there was exhaust soot from the engine, and smoke lines from the machine guns on the wings.   I applied pastels for this using a small brush.   For the base, I used the Verlinden cardboard tarmac that can be cut to fit any shape you might need.   All together it was a very nice kit.




[I used the Verlinden cardboard tarmac that can be cut to fit any shape you might need.]