This kit was built
straight out of the box for my local modelling club's annual competition which
includes a category called the Kittyhawk Cup, named for a group build we did for
the Australian War Memorial in 2002 of Academy's 1/72 scale P-40E in the
markings of Squadron Leader Dick Creswell CO 77SQN RAAF. Since then we
have picked a simple easy to build 1/72 scale kit that is also easy to find in
the local shops for the kittyhawk Cup. In 2005 it was expanded to include
all boxings of the Academy 1/72 scale P-47, instead of one particular kit,
i.e.. for 2006 it's any boxing of the Academy P-51, but they have to be built
O-O-B and they have to be built in the year since the last Annual Comp.
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This kit went
together like a gem, the only problems I had were with the wing to fuselage join
left a very hard to clean up line in the wheel well due to it's design and the
decals for the nose checks were a bugger to get to fit , I know of at
least two guys who gave up and either didn't complete the model (and has given
it to me for finishing in the alternative scheme), or hand painted the
checks and disqualified themselves from the competition.
I painted it in
Aeromaster US Green 42 for the upper colour, Aeromaster Interior Yellow for the
wheel wells and other primed bits you see in the photos, Gunze Neutral Grey for
the underside, Gunze Tyre Black for the tyres, Humbrol 56 Aluminium for the
undercarriage struts and engine cylinders, Gunze Interior Green for the cockpit,
Tamiya black for the prop, engine pushrod covers and pre-shading on the
fuselage and wings, Humbrol Trainer Yellow for the prop tips. The
weathering around the gun bays was done with a HB pencil. I also gave it a light
wash of thinned light grey gauche.
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Whilst it didn't win any prizes I was happy with the result
except for a few decaling errors and overall it is a kit that I would recommend
except for them damn nose checks.
Now onto next years entry, the P-51B of Fred Glover, 336th
FS/4thFG, England, April 1944, from kit No 1667.
Phil
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