Model Airplane International - June 2018

SKILL LEVEL: INTERMEDIATE

KIT BUILD

42 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - June 2018

More careful masking ensured the cockpit opening was

covered as well as the yellow nose section and invasion

stripes on the fuselage sides. Careful attention was paid

to the painting instructions.

The fuselage also received the Tamiya Silver treatment

taking car to ensure the wing roots were covered for

when the top camoufl age colours would go down.

The silver undersides were sprayed using Tamiya AS-12 Bare Metal Silver aerosol decanted for

airbrush use and thinned with lacquer thinners. It goes down easily and smoothly but can be

unforgiving with scratches or blemishes on any surfaces.

The invasion strips were over sprayed on the real aircraft

uppersides and this was represented with Olive Drab on

the wing sections making certain they matched with the

under wing panels. I used the painting instructions as a

guide here, not forgetting the stripes on the horizontal

stabilisers.

42 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - June 2018

With the Dark Green

camoufl age sections

airbrushed and dry,

the whole model was

unmasked ready for

decals. The unique cloud

shaped camoufl age is

well documented and

was airbrushed freehand

with care.

As a contrast to the green and drab topsides, the bright silver

and invasions stripes really bring to life the shape of this famous

fi ghter. For once, there were no touch ups needed, this comes

from careful masking and taking your time.

With a gloss acrylic varnish sprayed on to give the paint a

uniform fi nish, the decals were applied. They settled fantastically

and really brought the model to life. Some say it is a ubiquitous

scheme that has been done to death, I say it’s a classic.

P-51.indd 42 04/05/2018 16:01