Model Airplane International - June 2018

40 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - June 2018

SKILL LEVEL: INTERMEDIATE

KIT BUILD

on the wings with the overpainted invasion

stripes showing through slightly, I could fi nd

no defi nitive evidence either way so opted to

follow the instructions.

I painted the Olive Drab panels with Tamiya

acrylic and the green sections using the same

manufacturer’s paints all of which went down

as usual, perfectly.

It was starting to come to life now and the

decals only enhanced this, of which there were

few, all of which settled perfectly with a little

I did fi nd the cockpit sidewalls needed a little glue and

clamping to ensure they fi tted fl ush to the cockpit sills.

Clothes pegs to the rescue...

The gunsight can be affi xed to the cockpit coaming before being

fi tted to the cockpit itself. Though moulded in clear plastic, the

actual part to remain clear is easily masked off.

The inside panels of the windscreen section were masked as well

as the outside in order that the interior could be painted matt black.

If an aftermarket manufacturer is listening? Please sort out a set of

pre-cut masks to ease this process.

as the outside in order that the interior could be painted matt black. as the outside in order that the interior could be painted matt black.

If an aftermarket manufacturer is listening? Please sort out a set of If an aftermarket manufacturer is listening? Please sort out a set of

pre-cut masks to ease this process.

The windscreen section neatly painted inside matt black so

the outside can now be carefully masked up before it is fi tted

to the fuselage.

The windscreen fi tted into the recess with less than stellar results. A rather substantial step was

evident on both sides as well as gap at the front face. A coat of grey primer highlighted these areas

clearly.

Although it looks a mess here, Milliput smoothed with a wet fi nger was the best cure for the

apparent step and gap on the windscreen. The surrounding areas were masked off to ensure

nothing else was damaged by fi ller getting where it shouldn’t

With the masking tape removed the extent of the putty needed became more evident. This was left

overnight to fully dry out and cure before being sanded back.

Wet and dry paper was used with plenty of water to sand back the Milliput to ensure a smooth

transition to the fuselage. With hindsight, I could have shimmed the insides of the windscreen with

plastic card slivers though this would risk stress marks appearing on the clear parts.

P-51.indd 40 04/05/2018 16:01