Advice on a P51 Mustang model

[DoubleD]

I've been toying with the idea of getting into modeling. My only experience is from when I was a kid so I'm no pro by any means.

I am a P51 admirer so I'd like to give a go at building one of these. There's an old thread where one was built, but I thought I'd ask if there any manufacturers I should check out, or avoid for that matter as that thread is a little older (but it's a great build).

Any advice would be appreciated. FYI-I'll have to buy any tools/paint, but don't mind spending money so that's not a factor.

Thanks!

 

[modelcitizen]

i built one of these maybe about ten years ago. i don't remember who made the 1/48 scale kit but it was a good quality one. monogram made one but the one i bought was a japanese company or italian maybe.

as for materials the sky is the limit but i would start with an exacto-knife.
testors plastic cement or a super glue of your choice.

sheesh this is a heavy question. books upon books have been written on the subject since ever.

i say jump in and make a bunch of mistakes
or did you mean what kit to buy? (i guess i should read the title, sorry)

 

[Robiwon]

Lots of great info here on model kits, tips, etc. They also have a great selection of P 51's in the gallery section.

http://www.modelaces.com/sitemap.php

What scales are you interested in. There are a lot of Mustangs in the 1/48 and 1/72 scale. A few large ones in 1/32 as well. Tamiya, Fujimi, Aoshima and Hasegawa make great kits in various scales.

 

[DoubleD]

Thanks for the tips. I think I'd like to go with a larger model, so a 1/32 would probably be ideal, but I would also like to have one on my work desk too, so I guess I'll probably do something like a 1/48 scale as well.

Is there a rule of thumb regarding which size is more forgiving for beginners or does it matter?

Thanks again.

 

[Robiwon]

Both 1/48 and 1/72 can be extremely detailed. And 1/72 can have just as many or more parts than a larger 1/48. In other words, size does not equal detail.

 

[Mr. Nagata]

I'm planning on accurizing one of those 1/18 scale "Ultimate Soldier" toys. They're pretty decent representations and they're really big.

 

[Scott Graham]

I'd go with Tamiya for 1/48th and Hasegawa for 1/32nd. I haven't built either but these are the best manufacturers for each scale. I'd go with 1/48th for a good median size. I hope that helps.

 

[BDK]

Since you haven't modeled since you were a child, I'd reconmend the Revell P-51 kit, its 1/48 scale and you can find it at Michaels as well as hobby shops if your areas scarce for good shops, the Tamiya and Hasegawa kits are in the same scale are nicely detailed but have higher price tags, better to dip the toes back in with a cheaper kit that if it gets screwed up your not out that much.

As far as tools? You can get by with some sanding films, testor packs are very nice for modeling, plastic backed so ideal for wet sanding. Paints, Testors and Tamiya both have both bottled and spray paints in their line ups, I use both no issues, so thats a taste question, you shouldn't really mix and match but you can expierment a little use the tamiya on the interior and the testors for the exterior colors or vice versa, see which one you prefer the best. Get a good exacto knife and some blades, some glazing/filler putty, as far as glues, Get the black bottled Testors Model Master liquid glue with the needle applicator and a bottle of clear parts cement. You'll need both and the Liquid glue holds better and lasts longer than the old tube glue that turned stringy after so many uses. I'm stingy when I glue and have had a bottle of the liquid for going on 2 years now and it still performs up to snuff.

 

[Gigatron]

Tamiya's 1/48th scale is probably the best fitting and easy to assemble kit with great amounts of detail.

Here's mine from a while back

-Fred