Colin M’s Airfix 1:48 Mustang Mk IV

[colin m]

And we’re off.

This wasn’t my first choice of kit, but I have to say, what is in the box is very nice. Some spruce shots.

Some nice detail.


Time for a bit of work. This little lot should be the start of a nice cockpit.


And so it does, nice stuff Mr Airfix.


Airfix provided a decal for the instruments but I chose to dry brush instead as the IP had nice raised details.

 

[Tim Marlow]

Great start.

 

[Ian M]

It does build very well dont it.

 

[Mickc1440]

Looks great

 

[colin m]

A touch more of the build,

This has to be the strangest “thing” I will insert into a fuselage. The cockpit, air intake and tail wheel assembly.
Airfix have you attach the tail yourself, which is great for Airfix, allowing them to provide a different type of tail. However, to get them to fit in a way that avoids having to fill some awkward joints does take a bit of time.
Whilst test fitting etc, I began to think something was wrong, but no. The tail of the Mustang is slightly offset and Airfix have included this detail.



The fuselage is taped together just to show the offset tail.

 

[adt70hk]

Great start Colin! Agree interesting about the tailplane being offset.

ATB.

Andrew

 

[Ian M]

I think it was to combat torque. Made me think at first.
Looks like the plan was to enable the mk. without the tail fillet to be made as well...
I thought the joint was quite cleaver as it follows panel lines.

 

[papa 695]

Cracking start Colin.

 

[Tim Marlow]

I think it was to combat torque. Made me think at first.
Looks like the plan was to enable the mk. without the tail fillet to be made as well...
I thought the joint was quite cleaver as it follows panel lines.

I think the Fairey Battle had an offset tail as well. I’m sure there are others…..

 

[Tim Marlow]

Great progress Colin. Looks a really good kit.

 

[Jim R]

That is a nice looking kit Colin. Mind you a lot of these Airfix planes are. Nice looking cockpit. That tail looks odd but probably Ian's explanation is right.

 

[colin m]

I think it was to combat torque

I'm sure you're correct. The F4U Corsair has the same thing, but that has a huge propeller on the front.

Mind you a lot of these Airfix planes are

With new Airfix, I've often said, the price per detail ratio is quite a good one.

 

[colin m]

I’m not sure when I last managed three nights in a row, but here we are.
Just about ready to close the fuselage up.


And then, all buttoned up.

The fuselage was a really tight fit. Therefore I closed up up bit by bit, clamping bit by bit. I had this happen before with new tool Airfix kits.
As a little bonus, I got the wings done as well. Look at that detail, remembering this is Airfix !

 

[Lee Drennen]

Nice start Colin and I like the weathering on the cockpit

 

[Jim R]

Cockpit looks really nice. Fuselage halves may be a tight fit but far better than having to use a load of filler.

 

[Ian M]

Getting to the real fun part soon I see.
My cockpit fit was snug. A quick swipe with a sanding stick took care of any tight spots. I was very impressed by the fit all round in this kit.
Wait until you fit the wing. I thing this is the first time I have had a perfect fit on a wing. both top and bottom fitted tight to the fuselage.

 

[adt70hk]

Colin

That really has come in very nicely indeed and looks the business.

I've only made three Airfix planes since coming back to the hobby and whilst these have been at 1/72, they've all been new toolings and so in terms of 'bang for your buck' they've been very nice indeed.

Keep up the great work.

ATB.

Andrew

 

[papa 695]

Looking very nice Colin.

 

[colin m]

Wait until you fit the wing

Fitted last night, and no gap to deal with. They way that wing slides in backwards, then sort of clicks into place, well, it's certainly a very clever bit of design by Airfix.

Fuselage halves may be a tight fit but far better than having to use a load of filler

So true Jim, but Airfix have been quite clever in their design. There isn't actually much fuselage seam to deal with. The engine cover is a separate part, there's a similar part underneath, so ne seams there to deal with.

I like the weathering on the cockpit

This time, I did stop myself going further.

'bang for your buck' they've been very nice indeed.

I totally agree Andrew. Although their New tool Vulcan wasn't as good as this Mustang.

Looking very nice Colin

Cheers old boy.

 

[colin m]

Well, I’ve done a bit more, but seem to have forgot to update this thread.
Here’s my Mustang, all assembled with no drama, and as Ian pointed out, wing root fit was brilliant.

Then a bit of gloss black ready for Alclad.
I did make a bit of a mistake here, I used cellulose thinners instead of normal standard thinners. Ok, the paint was nice and smooth, but it took days to harden off.

Al nice and dry, time for the wizardry of Alclad.