Model Aircraft – August 2019

The process began with construction of
both the engine and cockpit assemblies, which
join together as a single unit for insertion into
the fuselage. Not enough can ever be said
for the quality of detail that these Tamiya kits
provide. Whilst there is room for aftermarket,
there’s really no need. Once again Tamiya uses
a very sensible approach with engineering and
making sure everything its together lawlessly.
The cockpit dials are the typical reverse decal
laid over the clear dials, inserted into the
instrument panel. A great system which allows
detail to come through neatly and authentically.
The harnesses come as etched parts, and once
formed and painted they come across as quite
authentic. One change I decided to make was
to replace the kit’s seat cushion with one I made
up with light-cured dental composite resin
illing material. You can use epoxy, but being a
dentist by trade, I found this easier to access and
more familiar to use! Making my own cushion
resulted in something more realistic. The
engine and cockpit went together perfectly.
All of the surfaces, including the inner fuselage,
were primed with black Stynylrez and painted
using Tamiya Acrylics thinned with Tamiya
X-20A. I used the instruction’s suggested paint
mix for the interior green, the colour of which is

Manufacturer: Tami y a

Scale: 1: 32

K i t Ty p e: Plastic injection moulded

Kit Number: 60323

North American P-51D/K Mustang

THE SUBJECT OF MY BUILD WAS KH677, WHICH WAS PART

OF THE RAAF’S NO.3 SQUADRON STATIONED IN FANO, ITALY

Cockpit, engine and fusealge parts ready for assembly....

...and here you can see the parts in-situ

MODEL AIRCRAFT AUGUST 2019

MUSTANG FROM DOWN UNDER

43