Pete's Academy 1/72 Mustang

[stillp]

My Warrior is just about finished, so while some touch-ups are drying I thought I'd start my thread for the Anti-Aircraft Gearbox Animal Antics Group Build. I've had enough of Operation Herrick for now, so will enter with this Mustang.

As you can see, it wasn't expensive.

Only 28 parts, so even I can't get much wrong (famous last words).
Some nicely engraved detail, and nice interior.
Hospital appointment later - like many others on here, I'm falling apart - so hope to get this started this evening.
Thanks for looking,
Pete

 

[Steve Jones]

Glad your able to join the party old chap. Good luck with the wingy thing. Great to have you along for the ride

 

[Si Benson]

Hi Pete,
looks like a straight forward build. Are you going for a boxart metallic finish?

 

[stillp]

Hi Pete,
looks like a straight forward build. Are you going for a boxart metallic finish?

Yes, I think I will. Not sure if it'll be that shiny though.
Pete

 

[Deleted member 7237]

Hi Peter great choice, will tag along .



Pete.

 

[stillp]

Thanks Pete. I didn't know the Mustang was big, heavy, and didn't corner very well!
Pete

 

[JR]

I shall sit at the back, is there any tea ?

 

[stillp]

Certainly sir, English breakfast, Tetley's, or organic Japanese green tea? Still a few of the wife's sausage rolls left too.

Catering dealt with, I've put the cockpit tub together. There was a bit of flash on the seat:

Easily removed with a pointy scalpel.


As for the moulded seat belts... well, they tried. Here's a better view:

Here's the tub so far, along with a better view of the detail on the sides:

There are a couple of stupidly small pieces to add to the pit sides, but I'll get the Interior Greeen (chromate?) on first.
Fuselage halves fit together well, although the seam will need some sanding. The air intake will need a bit of work though:

There's a big step top and bottom. Oh well, it wouldn't be modelling if there wasn't some work to do.
Thanks for watching
Pete

 

[JR]

Full English please , and some of the good ladies sausage rolls.


Will you add am seat belts Peter, it's a shame those seats weren't moulded well.

 

[Jim R]

Hi Peter
Definitely a bargain. Straightforward to build but time will be needed to sort the annoying fit issues. Box art looks rather toy like although the bare metal finish is nice. Is that the only option the kit gives?
Jim

 

[stillp]

Will you add am seat belts Peter, it's a shame those seats weren't moulded well.

No, it'll be OOB John. At least they tried to show the seat belts, when painted they should be OK. It's 1/72 after all.

Box art looks rather toy like although the bare metal finish is nice. Is that the only option the kit gives?

Yes Jim, it is a bit toy like, and that is the only scheme offered. Should be a fairly quick build - it says 14 years and up on the box, but I'm hoping to finish it quicker than that.
Pete

 

[Mini Me]

Toy like?? my middle name, nothing like the gratification of turning a sow's ear into a silk purse. Speaking of pigs, I'm in for the sausage rolls and the Tetley's if you please. Taking my seat next to 453. Cheers, Rick H.

 

[Jim R]

it says 14 years and up on the box, but I'm hoping to finish it quicker than that.

..... thanks for that. I needed a laugh this morning
Jim

 

[stillp]

A little progress on the cockpit:

The Mustang had an unpainted plywood floor, but I think I need to dirty it a bit.
I usually use the IP decals, but I think this one must be intended for a different kit!

OK, I'll paint that. How could they get that so wrong?
Pete

 

[stillp]

I fitted those little cockpit details you can see just above the port fuselage half in the first photo just above. Lucky I used PVA as the throttle quadrant moved as the glue dried, and that pipe thing (pilot's oxygen?) stopped the seat tub from fitting into place. A drop of water softened the PVA enough that I could solve both those issues. The IP has had a coat of matt black and a few spots from a silver paint pen, also a spot of red to make a change! (I found an image showing some switches in red).
That done the fuselage can go together:

Fit was pretty good, but the seam will need some serious sanding. Best get the win and canopy on before that though.
Thanks for watching
Pete

 

[BattleshipBob]

Tad late Pete, sorry

 

[stillp]

Plenty of room Bob, but you missed the sausage rolls.
Pete

 

[JR]

That photo with the paint bottles just shows how small it is Peter, I can why you aren't changing the belts .

 

[colin m]

Looking nice Peter. I've built a few 1:72 Academy kits and have liked them all, no real nasties to deal with.

 

[papa 695]

Just seen this one Peter, a very nice start.