P-51D Mustang by Lt. Biggles - FINISHED - Eduard - 1/48 - PLASTIC

Lt. Biggles · October 24

On 10/23/2024 at 12:40 PM, Javlin said:

Like the toned down version mucha better!

Thanks, so do I! I just wish I’d not added so much white to the silver paint on the wings. But with washes have been able to blend them closer!

Lt. Biggles · October 24

I’ve now added the exhausts and light exhaust stains by just a light brushing of soot pigments. It’s only visible from some angles and it’s very fine so it’s a nice effect.

I played abit more with light grubbing up the inboards of the wings and around a few panels. It’s very interesting to weather a NMF paint job. From one angle it’s in your face visible and move your head slightly and it vanishes! So I’ve gone very light with the oils.

I think this is all the weathering I’ll do now. Reduced some of the effects like the fuel stains and where foot wear would be just added another light layer. Tomorrow I’ll start on the matte varnish layers and if I get that right should give a slight chalky effect which will tone it down and also add a tinge of oxidised effect… or ruin everything!.. one way to find out!

Egilman · October 24

6 hours ago, Lt. Biggles said:

its been a fun but big learning curve working with NMF and looking used but not dirty can be a very fine line

Yes it can, but never forget that accurate scale appearance is just as important as size...

Absolutely stunning my friend, absolutely beautiful representation of a forward stationed P-51...

DocRob · October 24

Like Egilman said, an absolute stunner, the NMF is beautifully and believable rendered and I like the subtle weathering a lot.

Cheers Rob

CDW · October 24

Your model displays a lot of character. It's not a run of the mill model. Excellent.

Danstream · October 25

It looks so nice!

In my opinion, I would avoid a total dead matt finish (I have seen that sort of finish on wrecked planes only) and keep a bit of shine in the finish. But that's my opinion and this is your model.

Best regards,

Dan

Lt. Biggles · October 25

And FINISHED!!

Thanks all for the tips, feed back and encouraging words through out, I really appreciate it and makes the build a lot more enjoyable.

I’m about to start quite a few months of training to fly another aircraft type for work which also involves moving, so I’ll not be able to begin another project until at least the 2nd quarter of next year! But already thinking of a project. Perhaps try a diorama of a plane at the bottom of the English Channel in resin. Something different but early days in the ideas area. Anyway back to this build!

After taking the pics I realised I hadn’t added the Nav lights or taken off the masks from the 3 underwing identification lights, so I’ve since done those.

The matte varnish works well I think, didn’t dull it down much.

Really hard to photograph a NMF plane as a slight change in angle makes it look so different.
I learnt a lot and in the end I’m happy with how it looks.

Thanks again for joining me. I hope you like it too