Global Scale Modeller

Being pretty new to the site, I'm thrilled to say this is my first official group build and my first official GB reveal! I posted a reveal in the actual thread but this looks like the preferred place to do a full reveal.

And here she is...















The P-51B with her big brother from the Pacific...




The Tamiya kit is incredible. Very few issues with the kit itself...just with my modeling skills! Most parts went together extremely well with very little filling required. The only real issue I had was getting the front piece of the intake to match with the fuselage portion of the intake scoop. There was a pretty good step. A little sanding and it blended right in. Other than that, my main issues were dealing with very small parts. I'm still struggling to get these things attached without wreaking havoc! Trying to get the canopy to fit tight was the biggest challenge along with the gear doors constantly falling off during gluing. I only lost two parts (a new record for me!!)...the left side gear door ram and the HUD.

I did learn that the Tamiya decals are a bit thick. I originally thought it was my technique but now realize that there are better decals out there that lay flat and are less conspicuous.

This was a huge painting challenge. Lots of masking...lots of colors. I'm thrilled with how it turned out! I had a few blunders and peelings but everything came out pretty crisp and clean in the end. I used the Montex vinyl masking kit for the canopy. I saw several negative reviews that the masks don't stay down and they leave residue behind. I did have the very top/front mask come off (the one that was the most curved of all the pieces), but other than that, they worked flawlessly. I can't complain for the money.

All in all, a very challenging and enjoyable build. I believe I will buy another of this kit and do it up in the original inspiration livery...the Tuskegee red tail. I already have the decal set and a little PE to give a try, which I've never done before.

One last picture. I imagined this bird sitting on the ramp at sunset on June 5, 1944, waiting for it's turn to enter the fight early the next morning...

Superb, great chipping and panel lines.

oh pretty,

that last pic looks very real,

well done mate, good luck with the gb real contender.

Looks very good .

Thats a beautiful P-51 Stunning work

Gorgeous work, Jeff. Did you use a light colored wash instead of a dark wash to make the panel lines look light?

Thanks everyone! Really appreciate the comments!

UKguyInUSA wrote:Gorgeous work, Jeff. Did you use a light colored wash instead of a dark wash to make the panel lines look light?

I actually used two washes. A white wash for most of the aircraft and a dark dirt wash for the white striped areas to add some contrast. I also sprinkled in some selective pastel work as well.

Nice build ! I like a lot your weathering and paint job on this , real good !

The last Photo is real nice !

Cracking build mate.

Brilliant work.

Best weathering I have personally seen on here. The white panel wash is a revelation (to me at least)!

Have you got a build/weathering thread for this... if so I am going to bookmark it. If not, please do one with your techniques.

That's a beauty! Man, the standard is high on this forum.

mo0g wrote:Brilliant work.

Best weathering I have personally seen on here. The white panel wash is a revelation (to me at least)!

Have you got a build/weathering thread for this... if so I am going to bookmark it. If not, please do one with your techniques.

I did a thread in the D-day GB section (http://www.intscalemodeller.com/viewtop ... 261&t=7369). Afraid I don't have much info on the washing itself...just before and after. Not much too it really. Just use white wash for the darker areas and dark dirt wash for the lighter areas...and try not to get too much of either in each others respective areas. Once dry, I just used a soft cloth and water to wipe away what I didn't need and to give it the "streak" look.

The leading edges were "chipped" using a small sponge dabbed in Model Master steel. Remember that the smaller the distance between sponge pores, the closer the chips will be to each other. Use a huge sponge and you will have huge chips, etc.

After loading up with paint, remove most of the paint on a paper towel. Then lightly dab the sponge on the edges where you want the chipping. Just be careful as it's easy to overdo it. Start out lightly and slow. If too much comes off, remove more paint from the sponge on the paper towel. I usually start on a piece of scrap to make sure it's coming off in the correct amount before introducing it to my precious model I've just spent hours building.

The black streaking was created using black pastel. Use a piece of sandpaper to remove a pile of black pastel from the pastel stick and then load up a flat brush with some of the pastel dust. Carefully "streak" the dust in the areas where you want the effect. Again, be careful. It's real easy to either over-do or under-do. And again, practice on a piece of scrap first so you know how it will react.

I like pastels better than using an airbrush to do the streaking. I personally have more control...more of a testament to my poor airbrushing skills than the superiority of pastels.

wow. Very nice!
I really love the chipping on this one. Just superb...

Gorgeous model!

The panel lines!!! oh the panel lines!!!
Jeff, you did a superb job on this kit buddy. The details just pop off this kit and very naturally so.
Really well done buddy. Top drawer work!

Good looking bird there mate!! Well done!!

That looks utterly gorgeous! Paint job and weathering are spot on! Brilliant!

Nothing I can say that has not been said already , superb job mate

Thanks so much everyone! The GB is almost done. Looking forward to seeing everyone's reveal!