1/72 Italeri P-51A

[fermis]

I found some resin in a drawer...I think it's Verlinden.
It is for a "D", but the rudder, tail surfaces, and flaps will be handy!
The side walls are being used too. Wrong...but better than the nothing the kit provides.

The wife gave me a little guff about bringing home a couple kits, when I went to get some paint. 
"But it's got your name on it"!!!

The exterior of the kit looks quite nice, but what's provided for the inside is just goofy.
There are parts for a "D", as well as early Mustangs. You have to cut off the rear/fuselage tank/radio gear, and replace the back deck with another piece that just has a basic "box" on it.
I made my own rear deck and "radio gear", and added the "A" framing behind the seat. There is a seat for early versions, but it is rather stupid. I found a decent seat(and framing) in a scrap box, and modified it to match a ref I have.
I only used the pit floor, stick, armor back-plate(modified from "D" part) and the kit IP will be used as well.




Kit flaps (molded in up position) removed.
The kit tail is stupid tall. I did compare the resin rudder to my other Mustang kits (Airfix, Tamiya, Hasegawa) and it is correct.
Most of the tail will be solid, once glued...so there won't be any gaps when I sand it down to the proper size/shape.




Aside from that tail, proportions are "close enough"!

[kyledehart5]

Off to a nice start modifying this into a recognizable mustang. Great work

[jeaton01]

I built this kit a long time ago and always thought it just didn't look right. Now that you show it, it's pretty obvious the vertical tail is just too big. I did go to the trouble of changing the wing root on mine.

(in my best Peanuts Voice) Stupid Italeri!

[406 Silverado]

Wow Jeremy! That tail is crazy tall when compared to the rudder. The modifications that you're putting into this is really bringing this kit to a whole new level starting with that cockpit. Excellent detail in such a tiny space. Is the canopy going to be displayed open are closed on this?

[TJ]

Looks like the tail from a P-51H

[buddho]

Hahaha...I love that, "Its got your name on it!"

Looking forward to seeing my fave plane being built.

Isn't that the Allison engine version?

[fermis]

Thanks dudes!

I did think about doing the wing root too...some things, I can turn a blind eye to, no matter how glaring!
The typical viewing angle...profile...has that tail in the clouds. "That's more like an "H" ", thought did come through!
The canopy is a one piece deal, with barely any noticeable framing, and no center frame on the side piece.
I do plan on doing some smash-mold parts and open it up.

I'm undecided, but will likely steal the main gears and wheels from one of my stashed Airfix Mustangs. The kit provided parts are a bit clunky and crude.

[dukemaddog]

Nice work so far! Thank you for showing all that is wrong with this kit. Since I like simple and quick, I'll wait till a better model comes out.

[deafpanzer]

I always liked the look of that box art! Looking forward to see your magic work on it.

[reserve]

This kit is a dog isn't it. I, however, am confident you have sufficent hammers to beat it together nicely

[406 Silverado]

Mar 28, 2024 7:07:15 GMT -5 fermis said:

Thanks dudes!

I did think about doing the wing root too...some things, I can turn a blind eye to, no matter how glaring!
The typical viewing angle...profile...has that tail in the clouds. "That's more like an "H" ", thought did come through!
The canopy is a one piece deal, with barely any noticeable framing, and no center frame on the side piece.
I do plan on doing some smash-mold parts and open it up.

I'm undecided, but will likely steal the main gears and wheels from one of my stashed Airfix Mustangs. The kit provided parts are a bit clunky and crude.

  Jeez man!! I tip my hat to you for taking a kit like this on with all of the issues that it's got but it sounds like you've got your plan together to fix them. 

[fermis]

Apr 12, 2024 8:27:29 GMT -5 reserve said:

This kit is a dog isn't it. I, however, am confident you have sufficent hammers to beat it together nicely

 I don't know that I'd call it a "dog"...some things are a little off, and a little lacking in the pit...easy stuff! I am ignoring the wing-root and lack off a landing light.
Everything fit very nice and the surface detail is nice.

[fermis]

Did a smash-mold on the canopy.
Forgot I had the stuff from Squadron (I usually use plastic from blister packs).




Cut out the parts on the canopy, as well as the the new parts...




Gonna hafta adjust those masks before I take it to the booth.

[jeaton01]

You are certainly gilding this tarnished lily!

[fermis]

She's ready for some color!

[fermis]

Painted, glossed and ready for decals!

[kyledehart5]

That looks awesome!!

[stuart]

Excellent Work Fermis, I do like these early Mustangs.

[deafpanzer]

SWEET!!!

[fermis]

Apr 23, 2024 6:37:42 GMT -5 stuart said:

Excellent Work Fermis, I do like these early Mustangs.

You and me both!!!
They certainly aren't as sexy as the D...and they kinda look like a P-40's little brother...but I do dig em!

[fermis]

The end...





Tried out an AK weathering pencil, for some streaks.....ehh






I would have rather had bombs under the wings, but the kits bombs were not good...and I was mostly lazy and didn't go digging through the spares boxes(plus, I hate painting bombs)






And, she's got her spot in the stable...

[brandonk]

Man, great work. That little Italeri kit is looking much better.

[stikpusher]

Great finish! You can never go wrong with a shark mouth on a fighter

[stuart]

Apr 26, 2024 9:03:04 GMT -5 fermis said:

Apr 23, 2024 6:37:42 GMT -5 stuart said:

Excellent Work Fermis, I do like these early Mustangs.

You and me both!!!
They certainly aren't as sexy as the D...and they kinda look like a P-40's little brother...but I do dig em!

Oh I don't know, there's something really nice about these high-backed Mustangs (much like the Razorback Jugs) that make them look really sleak and fast - especailly with the flaps and gear doors pulled up - much more so than the Bubbletops.

P-40's are just awesome!

Superb work on this little beast - that came out really well (and love your collection). What did you think of the weathering pencils?

[deafpanzer]

Way too cool! You really do love P-51s!!! I really like how you display your built fighters. Are they placed based on when you built them?

[406 Silverado]

I totally missed the tail end of this build Jeremy. I hear you on the dislike of painting bombs. I don't really enjoy doing those OR drop tanks......BUT......I'll go ahead and do 'em if it helps the build out any. Some good work bro......really good.

[TJ]

May 25, 2024 7:29:23 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

I totally missed the tail end of this build Jeremy. I hear you on the dislike of painting bombs. I don't really enjoy doing those OR drop tanks......BUT......I'll go ahead and do 'em if it helps the build out any. Some good work bro......really good.

Ditto. I missed the end of this too. Great finish.  Looks goid with the other Ponies

[buddho]

Great looking Mustang.  All the extra work really adds to the overall finish. What a beautiful collection of planes!

[Steve Zuleski]

That'll work just fine and that line-up is incredible!

[fermis]

Much appreciated, everybody!