The Choice

When I built this model in mid-1995 the only out-of-the-box choice for building a P-51B/C in 1/48 scale was Monogram’s kit. This was a nice model, but betrayed its 1970’s origins by oversimplified detail and raised panel lines.

I decided to use Aeromaster’s P-51B conversion (Item #608) on the Accurate Miniatures P-51A Mustang (Kit No. 3402). This was one of the first batch of Accurate Miniatures releases. It featured fine detail including an excellent cockpit and superb engraved panel lines. Options in the kit were limited to the choice of either round or flattened tyres (the first mainstream manufacturer to offer this option), drop tanks and a clear-vision Malcolm Hood as an alternative to the framed canopy. All of these options were equally relevant to the later Mustang III.

The Aeromaster conversion supplies a new resin nose, radiator scoop (including a chunk of lower fuselage), spinner, exhaust stacks and 4 x white metal Hamilton-Standard propeller blades. Aeromaster’s instructions describe the conversion as being "so easy that only three cuts need to be made". Unfortunately this is not the case. There are considerably more than three cuts. There is also some scratch-building plus extensive re-scribing required; and the fit of the major components is challenging to say the least. The conversion also fails to address the subtle plan-form differences in the shape of the forward wing-root on the later aircraft. Nevertheless, the quality of the resin castings is first rate, and the surface detail is every bit as crisp as the excellent AM donor kit.

Construction

The first task required is to trim some plastic from the nose of the AM kit, while leaving in place a thin strip of wing root under the engine cowling. A section of fuselage must also be removed. I made sure to cut away less plastic than I thought necessary, then continually dry-fitted to minimise filling later.

The kit cockpit was assembled and painted according to AM's kit instructions. The supplied detail was so good that the only detail I added was a "Reheat" Sutton Harness. The rear fuselage halves were joined and the wings completed.

The resin nose and radiator-scoop insert were then dry-fitted to the plastic fuselage. There were some gaps at the fuselage join of the radiator insert, and big steps between all resin parts and the plastic donor parts. The resin parts were glued in place and Milliput was used to correct the gaps and fill the steps. I also filled the panel lines on the rear fuselage with Milliput. These would later be re-scribed to represent the correct lines of the Mustang III.

The completed wing assembly was then dry-fitted. Although the instructions did not mention it, a section of the mid-rear of the kit lower wing had to be removed to allow the larger radiator to fit. Following this surgery the wing was glued in place. Milliput was required to fill the resulting gaps. When these components were thoroughly set, the Milliput was sanded prior to a final application of Gunze "Mr Surfacer". I often use this Gunze product to ensure that no gaps or seams are visible. When the "Mr Surfacer" was dry, it was sanded with a fine sanding stick and polished. Following this treatment, the correct panel lines were scribed with my Tamiya Scribing Tool, using Dymo tape as a guide.

At this stage I fabricated a fin fillet and two radiator doors from polystyrene sheet. These were added to the model at the same time as the exhaust stacks. The new props and spinner were assembled and set aside for painting later.

The rest of the kit was completed according to the kit instructions with a only few additional details. The open kit canopy was detailed with brass and styrene, a rear vision mirror was added, bombs were rescued from a Hasegawa Mustang kit and fixed to the AM mounts and antenna wire was glued in place.

Painting and Decals

3 Squadron (RAAF) Mustangs in the winter of 1944/45 were more colourful than most of their rather predictable RAF contemporaries.

Spinners were painted in Flight colours of either red or blue, the wings and horizontal stabilisers featured width-wise white ID stripes and the rudders were painted a medium blue colour and adorned with the five stars of the Southern Cross. Combined with the standard theatre markings of yellow wing leading edge stripes and sky fuselage bands, these aircraft were almost garish.

This model represents a Mustang III on charge with 3 Squadron RAAF when based at Fano, Italy late in 1944.

I first sprayed a base coat of Tamiya Flat Black along panel lines before spraying White and Sky over the approximate areas to be covered by the ID lines and the fuselage band. I then masked off these features and sprayed the Medium Grey colour on the lower surfaces. The fuselage camouflage lower demarcation line was masked with Tamiya tape, and the upper colours (Ocean Grey and Dark Green) were sprayed in a freehand pattern. Tamiya Acrylics were used for all colours.

The spinner was first painted Tamiya Chrome Silver enamel then, when dry, sprayed with a medium blue mix. This mix was also applied to the rudder. Paint was chipped off the spinner to duplicate the heavy weathering seen on a photograph of the subject aircraft.

Decals were sourced from "Aussie Decals" sheet number A48003. This interesting sheet provides markings for four 3 Squadron Mustangs, including a Mk. IV in natural metal. These decals were very thin and transparent, but tended to curl-up on themselves - particularly the stars of the Southern Cross. However, with a generous application of wetting solution they sucked down onto the model nicely!

A thin mix of murky black-brown was sprayed along both fuselage sides to represent light exhaust staining. Further chipping and scuffing was added by applying Tamiya Chrome Silver with a fine brush before a final coat of Gunze Flat Clear acrylic.