Cadillac of the Skies

Slavo Hazucha
I saw a nice build of the Revell P-51 here recently, now I´ve got to do a testimonial to one of the key milestones that got me into planes & this hobby 🙂

Should be in-flight with gear up & on a stick, probably will only add the new (cheaters!) dashboard from eduard:

North American P-51D-5 Löök (Eduard 634001, 1:32)

I could use some help on how/where to get a decent looking 1:32 US-dude for the cockpit... The hand will have to be scratch/mod, but at least a good sitting one with goggles up would be a great start - hints/tips/words of wisdom welcome! Thanks in advance!!

Nigel
Hi Slavo. I was considering this one for my build. I have the ZM P-51 anyway, but it should work with any kit:
P-51D Mustang Pilot Figure (Zoukei-Mura SWS04-F08, 1:32)

Note: I haven't used it, it's only at the vague idea stage.

Nigel
Or this could be just the ticket:
U.S. Army Air Force Fighter Pilot (Master Details 32011, 1:32)

Slavo Hazucha
Thanks a lot Nigel, you have found exactly the man I need! 👍 Must have been using wrong keywords in searches, I only found some standing/posing crews but no "pilot at work" pose...

Mathieu
Following ... with great interest mate !
Btw after the Tony, this is a second p-51 on the bench !
Cheers.
PS: If you want to model a late P-51. have a look at aerocraft models tail and elevators. they are a drop fit for the Revell Model.
You can also take the Eduard look late dashboard for the Tamiya, it will fit with minimum cutting.

Slavo Hazucha
Great to have you on board Mathieau & thanks for all the advice in things P-51 here and before! You saved me some cash by leading me on the Revell kit trail vs the Tamiya Stang, which I can now spend on some aftermarket jewelry... The kit is due to arrive this week, I'll take a look, then decide on what exactly to order next. The build won't start for a couple of weeks, hope you'll still be around😉

Tim Heimer
Slavo are you feeling alright? This isn't a jet! LOL Would love to see what you do with this.

Nathan Dempsey
Interesting... a propeller. I will have a seat here!

Slavo Hazucha
This is not taking off anytime soon unfortunately - I just really love the movie - I´want to capture the 1:31+ moment of the video below... Currently stuck on the decals topic - the one set that existed seems unavailable, the scheme is a little bit too much for masking so I´ll probably need to order or print a custom made set, with which I have zero experience so far... But it´s nice to be looking forward to something! 🙂

Youtube Video

Hanno Kleinecke
I definitely will watch this one taking shape - one of my favourite movies. The Mustang scene is really quite something !

scalemates
👍

Tim Heimer
This will be a great project!

Mathieu
I can design masks for that scheme. Drop me a line in private if you have interest. Cheers

Maciej Bellos
That's a big kit and it will be awesome from Mr SuperbMetal 🙂

Slavo Hazucha
Mathieu thanks & already done! 👍

Hanno, Tim & Maciej - this will be an exercise in self-restrain... the movie plane barely displays any wear at all, being clearly looked-after for by a loving crew... 😄

Very far from the Russian service- and weather-beaten gear...

Tim Heimer
From the what it's worth dept. Most of the guys with a specialty paint job, and some without, would wipe down their plane with airplane fuel to keep them looking good. That started in WW2.

wilky
The R.A.A.F. discovered that polishing the Spitfire could increse air speed by five miles.
It doesn't sound much but every bit counts.
The paint oxidation was very rapid in the tropics.
Clive Caldwell even went as far as having one of his Mk. Y Spitfires stripped to bare metal being the C.O.
It was soon returned to camoflauge with the directive from higher up.
I'm sure Clive wouldn't have minded the extra attention being our top ace

Daniel Klink
Slavo goes to real planes...count me in👍