1/48 Pro Modeller P-51B/C

[brandonk]

I began work on this in late 2022 and stalled in Feb 2023. Finally, I am able to get back to the bench and complete is one. This kit fought me all the way. I built one of these PM P-51B/C kits once before and it was splendid. This one was NOT. From closing up the fuselage to paint it all went south at least once. I had to make myself work on it just so I could complete it. But, here she is, DONE. I originally was gonna do the Boise Bee, but with all the mishaps along the way it changed over to Ill Wind, the kit decals. They fell apart, both sets I had. So I had to order an AM set to finish it. All the markings are painted except the nose are, kill markings and ID number plate. I stenciled the rest. I also wanted it in flight, but my error early on prevented that.

Since I lost interest and hope the kit would turn out good I used it as a weathering test mule. Played around with oils to dirty it up, just now wished I had used dark brown instead of raw umber. Oh well, test rig anyway. Learned a lot on this one, just glad to have it done. I painted it with Vallejo and Tamiya. It didn't beat me but it did bloody me up a bit. Anyway, here she is in all her non-glory. Moving on...

[kyledehart5]

Wouldn’t have been able to convince me you had any issues with this one. It looks awesome!! And I really like the weathering. Pretty darn good for the issues and for being a test rig.

[stikpusher]

Very sharp crisp work Brandon! Sorry to hear about the kit decals falling apart on you. You really captured the look of the early P-51Bs that helped turn the tide of the air war for the 8th Air Force.

[reserve]

Know all about decal trouble, me

In all honesty this looks quite good. Troubles that you had were covered up very well

[406 Silverado]

Mister, it may have fought you alright but you'd never know it by the good way it all came out. VERY well painted and weathered up and it's hard to believe it came out of a Revell box.

[tcoat]

[jeaton01]

Not bad at all, Brandon.  You'll like it better in the morning!  Do I see some masking still on the top of the windscreen?

[Tojo72]

Finished up real nice,I like the handling of the panel lines

[dupes]

I don't recall the lineage of the PM kit - is it a Hasegawa rebox? This looks awfully sharp to me! Love the paint.

[Medicman71]

You say you had all these problems but it looks awesome! Very well done!

[stikpusher]

Jan 13, 2024 20:16:21 GMT -5 dupes said:

I don't recall the lineage of the PM kit - is it a Hasegawa rebox? This looks awfully sharp to me! Love the paint.

The ProModeler kit is a revamp of the original Monogram molds. They redid the panel lines to recessed, improved the cockpit, added separate exhaust stacks, plus a few other upgrades here and there. 

[handiabled]

For fighting you tooth and nail you built this up excellent! Way to persevere

[garybrantley]

I'll echo what 'erebody else says; that bird looks good, man!  We all are our own severest critics and tend to find and amplify any build problems, even if other viewers don't.   I know that I do that.  But, I would love having that one in a display!    Well done indeed, Brandon! 👍

[mrt51]

Looks great!

[lyle]

Jan 25, 2024 8:55:55 GMT -5 garybrantley said:

I'll echo what 'erebody else says; that bird looks good, man!  We all are our own severest critics and tend to find and amplify any build problems, even if other viewers don't.   I know that I do that.  But, I would love having that one in a display!    Well done indeed, Brandon! 👍

What Gary said. Looks great to me.

[brandonk]

Jan 13, 2024 18:54:24 GMT -5 jeaton01 said:

Not bad at all, Brandon.  You'll like it better in the morning!  Do I see some masking still on the top of the windscreen?

Yup, sure enough. I was just ready to put this one away. I'll get that shade removed so the pilot can see better. Thanks for the kind words.

[brandonk]

Thanks everyone, the kind words mean alot.

[keavdog]

Great job Brandon! Looks like you won the battle.

[Green KreationZ]

Great looking P51B! I love the paint work.

[cbaltrin]

Looks good to me Brandon. It can sit on my shelf any day...

[jmarc]

LLLLLLLLLLLLLLook great and well done also , way to go SIR and thank you for sharing it with us, it's quite appreciated !