1/48 ICM P-51D Mustang

Gallery Article by Lucio P. on June 20 2011

 

Hi from Italy, this is my first submission to ARC.

Here my last build, the P-51D 44-14561 "Miss Velma" Birticiel's aircraft, 343rd FS of the mighty 55th Fighter Group (Eighth Air Force).  The aircraft was a bit worn in late 1944 and it was a special horse because on February 25 Capt. Frank E. Birtciel shared a Me.262 kill! 

I have improved the ICM kit (a discrete Tamiya clone) with True Details cockpit and wheels, Ultracast exhausts, Squadron canopy (the ICM canopy was too thick) and Cutting Edge decals, also some details where scratchbuilt (like the frame of the distinctive multiple mirrors).  For the scene, I made the PSP with resin materials (for recreating some irregularities).

Click on images below to see larger images

  

  

  

A friend of mine share some photos with me and also after reading with more attention the volume "The Warlords" (Barry & Ann Money) I think I've committed a mistake to paint the wings OD (as reported in Cutting Edge decals instructions).  It seems only the fuselage invasion stripes where overpainted, but the wings remained in NM.. sorry for my fault .. too late!

I'm pleased to have tested some weathering techniques shared in this community.
A special thank you to "Gioca" for some good advice about building the interiors, Lucio Z. for scene tips and last but not the least Zio Livio & Zio Flavio for having indroduced myself in the modelling world about twenty year ago, I promise next will be a Monogram! :D

Lucio P.

Photos and text © by Lucio P.