The SAAF Forum

Hot off the press, the new Revell 32nd scale P-51D obtained from Jix for R700. Whilst my Bf109G-6 is on hold waiting for some cockpit aftermarket goodies, I decided to start on this one.

IMG_0413 - 800 by Malcolm Reid, on Flickr

I was intrigued by all the debate on LSP forums. Lots of negative press for this model ranging from too soft detail (like a vac-form kit ) to "it doesn't fit well" and "the internal components are too wide resulting in not being able to close the fuselage seams". All I can say is a big fat poppycock to all those comments . This kit is well engineered and fits really well. Either the purveyors of negative publicity towards this kit are gross amateur modellers or are trying to build too quickly to be first to provide their expert opinion.

Yes, the moulding has some minor flash and cleanup required but nothing that is insurmountable. So, here are some examples of the ill-fitting unbuildable rubbish.....

Main cockpit parts :

IMG_0400 - 800 by Malcolm Reid, on Flickr

Cockpit tub with separate sidewalls click-fitted together :

IMG_0404 - 800 by Malcolm Reid, on Flickr

This is a side half view of the internals in position - the cockpit and the radiator - no glue, all clipped together :

IMG_0415 - 800 by Malcolm Reid, on Flickr

Fuslage halves taped toghter - oh the horror - what a nasty fit ...

IMG_0405 - 800 by Malcolm Reid, on Flickr

Underside showing a really nasty fit .....

IMG_0403 - 800 by Malcolm Reid, on Flickr

Again, all click fit - no glue...

IMG_0414 - 800 by Malcolm Reid, on Flickr

Apologies for the rant but I find it incredibly tiresome when there is the inevitable unfounded rubbish written regarding a new kit. Revell have brought us a really nice 32nd P-51 at a ¼ of the price of the Tamiya kit. Yes it doesn't have an engine but who cares. This will build into a really nice P-51 replica.

More on the version - this is the early P-51D without the dorsal fillet in front of the vertical stabiliser. To this end, Revell has provided the rear fuselage halves as separate items meaning that a late -51D is coming. Also, the inboard wing leading edges are provided as separate inserts - I personally think this means that we'll get a B at some stage which will be great.

Anyway, here's more on the alleged bad fitting kit - the fuselage halves, front and rear :

IMG_0407 - 800 by Malcolm Reid, on Flickr

After some minor clean-up - no glue, just click-fitted together :

IMG_0406 - 800 by Malcolm Reid, on Flickr

Definitely unbuildable.

I must say, I like Revell's new colour instructions :

IMG_0411 - 800 by Malcolm Reid, on Flickr

IMG_0412 - 800 by Malcolm Reid, on Flickr

Some detail in the undercarriage bay - front section glued to upper wing - holes hollowed out - 2 minutes work :

IMG_0409 - 800 by Malcolm Reid, on Flickr

Hollowed out cartridge ejector ports - 5 minutes work :

IMG_0410 - 800 by Malcolm Reid, on Flickr

So far, like their 32nd Bf109G-6, this is a really nice simple model from Revell which gets one to the painting stage relatively quickly. Revell and Hasegawa have the 32nd scale formula spot on in my opinion - simple but well fitting with great cockpit and external detail OOB.

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How come every time my ship comes in, I'm at the airport?

I am following a thread of a UK dude also building this kit, sure it is not shake n bake Tamiya but as you say well worht the huge saving
With a little extra effotr and detail it can make a very nice model indeed, we must sometimes read beyond the "doom and gloom" of some of the rivet counter reviews.

What scheeme you going for Malcom?

T

Ja Theuns. I just don't get the fit issues everyone seems to be moaning about. It fits perfectly so far.

Scheme = Lou IV as per box art. There's photographic evidence in colour that Lou IV had a combination of dark blue and green camo on the fuselage and vertical stab. Will track the image down and post. So it'll be a combo of natural metal with green and blue camo patches with D-Day stripes over painted on upper surface of wings. Decals in the kit look great !

Here's the link to the webs site :

http://www.clubhyper.com/reference/showandtell7db_1.htm

Images care of that website :

http://www.clubhyper.com/images/1B%20-% ... ropped.jpg

http://www.clubhyper.com/images/1D%20-% ... otated.jpg

I am watching another same mustprang being built on scale models co uk and that guy is getting very good results indeed, granted it takes a little more work than a tamiya but the massive saving more than makes up
I looked at the new box 1/32 revell Mozzy but that one does not seem to be as good as the P-51

Theuns, be careful of that Mossie. It'll be the old moldings reboxed. Revell are past masters of this.

I saw thst and thats why I will give it a skip, I do however have the "new" 1/32 AR 196 and than looks like a very nice model

Indeed the new Revell 32nd scale kits are great.

So then, some more on the bad fit

Here are the wings with the gun inserts missing :

IMG_0418 - 800 by Malcolm Reid, on Flickr

Gun inserts added - dry fit, not glued yet :

IMG_0417 - 800 by Malcolm Reid, on Flickr

Bottom view :

IMG_0419 - 800 by Malcolm Reid, on Flickr

IMG_0416 - 800 by Malcolm Reid, on Flickr

Not that horrible, is it ??

Paints used for the base inside colours - all Tamiya enamels :

IMG_0425 - 800 by Malcolm Reid, on Flickr

Cockpit in progress. Interior green is a mix of 1 part XF-5 / 2 parts XF-4 / spot XF-20. Undercarriage yellow is straight XF-4 :

IMG_0426 - 800 by Malcolm Reid, on Flickr

Various bits and pieces painted but before any detailing / weathering :

IMG_0424 - 800 by Malcolm Reid, on Flickr

Details painted - wooden floor is base XF-59 followed by two shades of darker brown oils :

IMG_0429 - 800 by Malcolm Reid, on Flickr

Sidewall details complete with a mix of kit provided and Airscale decals

IMG_0430 - 800 by Malcolm Reid, on Flickr

IMG_0431 - 800 by Malcolm Reid, on Flickr

And I am very happy to say that it fits together really snugly. No problems :

IMG_0434 - 800 by Malcolm Reid, on Flickr

That is looking excellent Malcolm!

I think Radu Brînzan would much rather see this model in your competent hands than the nonsense feedback he is getting on LSP etc. The extra decals do make quite a difference, as does the wood effect you achieved on the floor-boards.