For your viewing
pleasure, here is my 1/48 scale Tamiya P-51D with Staff Car. The model in the
photos depicts the "Millie P" flown by Maj. Edward B Giller, 343rd
Fighter Squadron, 55th Fighter Group.
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images below to see larger images
CONSTRUCTION
Like most
Tamiya kits, this was a straight forward hassle free kit to build. Parts fit
beautifully, requiring very little filling and sanding. It was an out of the box
build all the way.
PAINTING
I airbrushed the
cockpit, rudder, prop blades, rear fuselage and upper cowling with Model Master
Enamels. The NMF portions of the model were airbrushed with Alclad II Aluminum,
after a primer coat of Model Master Gloss Black. This was my first experience
with Alclad II paint and it was a good one. Alclad II Aluminum covers well,
dries quickly, and as hard as a rock. No worries about paint peeling off. The
spinner was painted with Tamiya Racing Green (T-43). Tamiya provided painting
masks which came in very handy.
DECALS
With painting
complete, I airbrushed the model with a coat of Future in preparation for
decals. These went on well with a touch of Micro Sol. After decaling, I wiped
the model with a damp cloth to remove any glue residue, then airbrushed the
model with another coat of Future. For the final finish I airbrushed the model
with Model Master Semi-Gloss Clear Lacquer Finnish.
THE FIGURES
Tamiya included
three figures with the kit; the original seated pilot, a new seated pilot, and a
standing officer. The new seated pilot is turned to the left looking out the
cockpit with an elbow resting on the sill. The officer has his hands in his
pockets. I painted the figures per Tamiya's painting instructions, then applied
a thin wash to enhance the figures.
THE STAFF CAR
Construction and
painting of the staff car was quite simple. The interior parts were painted
while still on the sprues. The main body was airbrushed with Model Master Olive
Drab, followed by a coat of Future in preparation for decals. I applied a pin
wash to enhance the car panel lines and finished it off with a coat of Model
Master Semi-Gloss Clear Lacquer finish.
CONCLUSION
This was a very
enjoyable lit to put together and the figures and staff car added to the
package. Tamiya certainly knows how to keep us happy.
Burt Gustafson
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images below to see larger images
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