New Guy and a couple more "warbirds" 4-22 Update

[xmh53wrench]

Well here is a few more builds that I hope to build/in the process of building/or have finished.

I had this hairbrained idea to build a lockheed 12, but since they are 1/72 and very expensive, I chose the new Revell 1/48 Ventura PV-1 as my donor. My take would be a WWII surplus Ventura, purchased by the Cleveland Air Races, then converted to a VIP transport/flying billboard. Here is the finished product, I designed the paint, and designed and printed the decals. I am also building a P-39 racer to be this planes companion.







Now I have scored a Revell 1/32 P-51 B kit, ordered "Wet Wings & Drop Tanks" & Excalibur III so I can start researching and figuring out what I need to mod on the B to make it a C, and figure out how to make cuffless prop blades for my Paul Mantz NX1204 Race #46. I did find a pair of photos of what I believe is the red version, but with Glenn McCarthy's Latin American on the side, I hope to do this version. I figure this was sometime in '49/'50 for a very short time, very little info out there, I am assuming this was a Hotel as well, and I have yet to figure out the color of Glenn McCarthy's name here.

Photo credits: San Diego Air & Space Museum Archives





Recieved the books and started the build, here are a few in progress pics..





Reshaped a cuffed prop to resemble an uncuffed Hamilton Standard



More done...sanding, sanding and more sanding...



Thanks for looking in...

Last edited by xmh53wrench on Sun Apr 22, 2012 2:19 pm, edited 2 times in total.

[Scott Rose]

Nice work

[silverbird2]

Very nice job! Amazing details and paint job!

[The Inspector]

Just a wild guess, but I doubt Mantz would have repainted the entire aircraft. It sort of looks like the lettering might have been Orange with yellow or cream outlining because there is a very slight contrast where the letters pass through the fuselage white stripe.

[xmh53wrench]

Well add one more to the growing collection. This was an ebay find, I know nothing of how old the kit is or if it is very rare. Its Tomy 1/32 P51-D and the box artwork depicts "Queen Majorie". It had no decals or instructions, but seemed to be all there, including the battery tray, motor and all its electrical do dads. This kit was actually pretty tough to put together as the install of the wing was a real juggling act as you had to do all the wiring at the same time. The center wing fairing also acts as the switch, pretty ingenious and the motor and battering mounting were very nicely done and fit well (the battery tray is behind the motor and under the cockpit) but I have yet to try it out. I'd like to think it would be a real eye catcher with its polished skin, deep gloss black striping, and the yellow and red are translucent so have a candy apple appearance. I retained the gun fairings, but just figured they wouldve been closed up and massaged a bit. I also retained its use of drop tanks for any long distance flying it may require (besides the more polished alum the better...right?). I did replace the wheels with a set from my Hasegawa kit, as they were much nicer looking. I figured this would either be a brand new Mustang, or a modern rebuild, so the office is done in gloss grey, with red seat/headrest padding and satin black instrument panel and electronics. The finish is my first attempt at Testors Metalizer, and boy is this stuff fragile. Tape is a no no, so the black was hand painted, decals dont like to stick so I help set them with clear nail polish (while the wifey wasnt looking). It actually polished up real nice prior to all the handling during the painting/decal phase. Decals were designed and printed by me using the Testors decal kits (man that stuff is great)!!! Anyway, thanks for looking in....

[kennsmithf2g]

Just a wild guess, but I doubt Mantz would have repainted the entire aircraft. It sort of looks like the lettering might have been Orange with yellow or cream outlining because there is a very slight contrast where the letters pass through the fuselage white stripe.

The lettering would most likely be the same green as when the plane was painted in the light grey/green paint when she raced in 1948. The Irish would never mix their Orange and Green.....

Kenn

[xmh53wrench]

Been thrashing away as of late, here are a few Ive done in the last month or so

1/48 P-51B and P-39 to go with my Cleveland Air Race set....











Old Revell 1/32 Spitfire MK1, but with my own night fighter scheme and decals...









And just finished last night, Revell 1/32 P-51B that could be owned by a very proud retired "Full Bird" Colonel....

[jhonjame]

Very nice job! Amazing details and paint job!

Just a wild guess, but I doubt Mantz would have repainted the entire aircraft. It sort of looks like the lettering might have been Orange with yellow or cream outlining because there is a very slight contrast where the letters pass through the fuselage white stripe.

[durnham]

There also quality printed decals that is perfect to these stuff.