Broken P-51 Mustang

[tcoat]

This is a long one!



Don Gentile was a leading Ace in WW2.



On April 13, 1944 he was stunting for the press over an airfield in Briton when he crashed and totally destroyed his P-51 Mustang. He walked away but the almost brand new 'Stang did not fare so well.



This is my journey to model that aircraft. So buckle up and join the ride.



Before:




After:





A quick search told me a detailed Merlin engine was going to cost me more than I wanted to pay for the project so I was very happy when I found somebody had thrown a tarp over it.



This allowed me to plan things out:









Not surprisingly a kit with the appropriate markings was available



So time to take a very nice kit and plan to cut it up!



So everything that needed to be mangled or missing is cut off. Pretty much doubled the parts count of the kit!



Then put it back together. Sort of.







Since the aircraft was only in service a few weeks before he crashed it the cockpit was done up looking new(ish)









All closed up and interior painted. Brace in place to throw tarp over missing engine. Torn skin not on until ready for exterior paint.



Since the cowl will be off I need someplace to put the nose art. Sooooo



Base coat on. Bubble canopy is for masking purposes only.

[tcoat]

Torn and buckled aluminum is made from ... well ... torn and buckled aluminum. It is the heavy aluminum tape used for duct wok. Base coat is covered with tinted Future (Pledge) to start weathering and give a good foundation for decals











Decals on and more weathering added.

















All tarped up and prop in place.







And with canopy. Most of a canopy. Half of a canopy?









Tail after dullcoat











And salvage pile of removed parts on a dirty tarp








And done!



Or so I thought.








So here I was all proud of myself when I stumbled across a picture I had not seen in all my research.





There in all their glory are the oxygen bottles. I thought they were further forward or had been removed since you can't see them in the other shots so had not included them. That would never do so...







Some day I will get the base done!

[mustang1989]

WOW!! WOW WOW and some MORE wow!!! The detailing and accuracy are just at a TOTAL plus on this build. I can't get over all the realism I'm seeing. True greatness in modeling right there!!!

[tcoat]

If I ever get the base done this model is destined to an old WW2 airfield in England that has been preserved as a museum. 

[creading]

Excellent portrayal of the aftermath.
Kudos

Cheers,
C.

[martslay]

Very cool!

[jeaton01]

Love the bent aluminum, very convincing!

[chromdome35]

@#*$(@#*&$@#($*&@(&!!!!! That is awesome work. This is my favorite so far of the builds you posted. Well researched and well executed. A+++

[tcoat]

Mar 8, 2023 13:15:09 GMT -5 jeaton01 said:

Love the bent aluminum, very convincing!

It's funny because if you look at the real pictures the aluminum broke off in relatively straight lines at the panel seams. That was how I originally built it I didn't like the effect on the model because it didn't look damaged enough so I wrinkled it up more!

[Whiterook]

Holy cow! What a wonder job you’ve done! And another new tip… ‘Torn and buckled aluminum is made from ... well ... torn and buckled aluminum. It is the heavy aluminum tape’ …that’s brilliant! I’ve got to try and get my hands on some of that stuff. Fantastic!

[Tobi]

Mar 8, 2023 14:57:13 GMT -5 tcoat said:

Mar 8, 2023 13:15:09 GMT -5 jeaton01 said:

Love the bent aluminum, very convincing!

It's funny because if you look at the real pictures the aluminum broke off in relatively straight lines at the panel seams. That was how I originally built it I didn't like the effect on the model because it didn't look damaged enough so I wrinkled it up more!

This is when the artistic license must step in.

I have pictures of mud and dirt on truck wheels, but if you would paint it like that on a model everybody would say it's a beginner's work and unrealistic looking.


Comin' back to your model, all I can say is YES! Marvelous, and the original so well captured.

[Leon]

WOW...That is some awesome realistic looking detailing!

[Joe Rix]

That is absolutely incredible Tony. A real testament to your skills and talent. Not only is this a unique subject but, you have brought it to life with incredible attention to detail and realism. This is simply some topnotch modeling and something to be very proud of. I also appreciate the detail you provide in your posts. Thank you for presenting this to us.

[buddho]

Fantabulous,this is such a remarkable and original setting. Really knocking it out of the park with this one.

[plasticjunkie]

Amazing attention to detail! The metallic tape looks very realistic depicting the wrinkled torn skin. 👍

[garydavis-Rest In Peace]

GREAT JOB! Your modeling skills are second to none. Fantastic detail and fab work. The weathering is spot on...

[Steve Zuleski]

Dang, you nailed the colors just right, awesome build!

[tcoat]

This model sat on the shelf with no base for a year because I could not decide what to do with it. Was just a constant "Do I just do grass? A write up? Diorama it? Nothing at all?". Then on Saturday I decided I had to do something with it for the show on Sunday. Figured something that explain it without text or being to elaborate was the way to go. Threw together some pictures, laminated them a put a simple border around it. I really like the result. 

Now opinions please. This model and base will be going to England to be displayed at a museum located at an old WW2 airbase. It will be alongside a model of the intact aircraft. Do you guys think it looks fine the way it is and I should leave it alone or should I add some groundwork and static grass to the area behind the pictures? I am torn and need your help!

[jeaton01]

I think for a museum display it is better as is, without ground work. People will focus more on the model.

[mustang1989]

I meant to respond to this yesterday and got busy and forgot to come back to it. I think John's onto something with a diorama taking away from the storyline and the build itself. A diorama would add more depth to the model but the way you have it now tells the story and focuses on the aircraft.

[tcoat]

Mar 30, 2023 22:50:02 GMT -5 jeaton01 said:

I think for a museum display it is better as is, without ground work. People will focus more on the model.

I agree but also agree with a comment on another forum that the base looks like it was plopped down on a kitchen table. Maybe not ground work that is needed just something more era appropriate than nice oak wood. Even painting the top a nice grey may help. 

[mustang1989]

Mar 31, 2023 7:05:41 GMT -5 tcoat said:

Mar 30, 2023 22:50:02 GMT -5 jeaton01 said:

I think for a museum display it is better as is, without ground work. People will focus more on the model.

I agree but also agree with a comment on another forum that the base looks like it was plopped down on a kitchen table. Maybe not ground work that is needed just something more era appropriate than nice oak wood. Even painting the top a nice grey may help. 

 That sounds a little harsh to me but honestly it's whatever you want to do with it Tony. What about getting the museums opinion on the matter? They may have a feel for what'll work out best for the display.

[tcoat]

Mar 31, 2023 7:31:18 GMT -5 mustang1989 said:

Mar 31, 2023 7:05:41 GMT -5 tcoat said:

I agree but also agree with a comment on another forum that the base looks like it was plopped down on a kitchen table. Maybe not ground work that is needed just something more era appropriate than nice oak wood. Even painting the top a nice grey may help. 

 That sounds a little harsh to me but honestly it's whatever you want to do with it Tony. What about getting the museums opinion on the matter? They may have a feel for what'll work out best for the display.

Oh it wasn't harsh at all it was just descriptive and as soon as he said it I could see what he meant. And I did ask for opinions. I have asked the museum and got a "whatever you want". I know it is whatever I wish the problem is I don't know what I wish that is why I am looking for ideas from the greater hive mind. Ask enough people and somebody will offer up something that clicks!

[TJ]

I saw this over at the other place. Way too cool. Definitely brought the pic to life

[Medicman71]

It's incredible work and I'd leave it as is.

[deafpanzer]

WOW! I really love your work and I really appreciate you sharing images how to create the damages because I always want to do the same for my future builds. Thanks for taking your time to post!

[tcoat]

May 30, 2023 12:51:58 GMT -5 deafpanzer said:

WOW! I really love your work and I really appreciate you sharing images how to create the damages because I always want to do the same for my future builds. Thanks for taking your time to post!

Thanks!

Here is some ore battle damage modelerssocialclub.proboards.com/thread/13918/48-revell-17-memphis-belle 

[Leon]

I think either way you go will be fine and still tell the story!

[tcoat]

May 30, 2023 15:26:48 GMT -5 Leon said:

I think either way you go will be fine and still tell the story!

I decided to spilt the difference and do an oblong section with some static grass over plaster but leave much of the wood around it. 

[tcoat]

OK so static grass applicator and different shades of "grass" are now on hand.
Couple of queries I have though.

Anybody know how green the grass is in southern England in March? May sound like a silly question but I want to get it close.
Any tips on using a static grass applicator? Going to practice per YouTube instructions but this is new to me.