P-51D Mustang "Gay Crusader"

The original Gay Crusader, not a lot of information online, but still amazing to see after almost 80 years 

Lt. Homer G. Powell, scaled down about 72 times 

Life size 

My least enjoyable part of any project: closing the fuselage halves. The cockpit fitted even worse than I thought.
Up to the filling and sanding... 

Wings attached 

Gaps filled and ready for painting 

First results of using a spray can. Three months after building and masking I finally applied the metallic silver spray.

I was worried to put on too much paint, so some areas might have too little I'm afraid...
 

The detail really stands out 

Every panel line is visible. Not sure about how acurate the riveting is... 

Slow progress on the Mustang, seems to have lost my mojo here...
I hope to finish the canopy soon and put the wheels and tanks on. 

Windshield in place and anti-glare panel painted.
The canopy is not glued as it will be displayed in the opened position. 

Note to self; don't forget to paint and weather the exhausts 

first decal in place 

formation lights painted (great investment Humbrol #208...) 

Milestone !! propeller added  

old pic of diorama testing 

Victory markings on the canopy; very small but important piece of history 

Testfitting the opened canopy 

Spray box for the gloss varnish 

Decals to the portside 

I like the red letters of the name, but I'm not sure about the engine stains 

Decals on starboard side  

Diorama testing part 2 

Completed !! 

Diorama testing part 3