Modelcraft | No. 48-021 | 1:48 | North American F-82E Twin Mustang (WIP)

1
February 19, 2024
What a great idea... Stereo Mustangs!
2
February 19, 2024
There was some minimal assembly required for the cockpit. The instructions had no colour guidance, so I primed with Vallejo Nato Green and then a top coat with Vallejo Zinc Chromate. The issue with this kit is that the fit is very bad...The locator pins are either too big, too small, not deep enough or in the wrong place and the two halves aren't quite the same shape.
3
February 19, 2024
An awful lot of flash and not very good moulding.
4
February 19, 2024
There are pin injector marks on everything too. Going to have my work cut out here.
5
February 19, 2024
Instructions are also a bit questionable.
6
February 19, 2024
Childlike (but charming!) paint touches for the minimal cockpit instrument panel.
7
February 19, 2024
Er, so it didn't want to play ball.
8
February 19, 2024
Still squeezing!
9
February 19, 2024
The intakes don't fit. Propellers once assembled also are a bit 'shaky'...
10
February 19, 2024
Got it together.
11
February 19, 2024
As you can see, it's not exactly a sharp mating of panels.
12
February 19, 2024
Though in the end I was pretty happy with how I got this.
13
February 19, 2024
Underside... Hmmm... Superglue/filler and lots of shaping and sanding anyone?
14
February 19, 2024
That's a pretty mighty seam! Not exactly an invisible join.
15
February 19, 2024
Mating centre section and drilling for wing pylons.
16
February 19, 2024
Pulling middle wing section.
17
February 19, 2024
Not bad.
18
February 19, 2024
Zip Ties to ensure fit. Have also started sanding all leading edges to ensure they're a bit sharper.
19
February 22, 2024
20
February 22, 2024
Resorted to more cable ties!
21
February 22, 2024
22
March 1, 2024
23
March 1, 2024
To put it mildly, the canopy is not a very good fit!
24
March 1, 2024
That's the canopy, seen sat on the recess of where it's supposed to be, as you can see it's proud of fuselage by some margin.
25
March 1, 2024
I'm going to heat it a bit to make the width a better fit.
26
March 1, 2024
After a lot of scraping, filling and sanding. I've shaped it into something more akin to a Mustang lid, much filler still to be added and further shaped. And of course the same to do on the other side also.
27
April 8, 2024
More Vallejo filler everywhere...
28
April 8, 2024
It is a lovely shaped bird though and... BIG too!
29
May 10, 2024
I'm rapidly becoming a fan of Vallejo Desert Tan colour primer. It seems to have a nice consistency, is a good in-between grey/white colour and takes wet and dry well.
30
May 10, 2024
Finding high points and low points. Filling and then re-scribing where required...
31
May 10, 2024
Now time for a simple coat of Vallejo gloss black primer 74.660 going on. Bit of polishing to do after...
32
May 10, 2024
I couldn't resist squirting some metallic on it!
33
June 26, 2024
34
June 26, 2024
Working hard on getting tonal variations on the metallic finish...
35
June 26, 2024
I've decided against using the kit stripe decals. I'm going to paint instead.
36
June 26, 2024
37
June 26, 2024
38
June 26, 2024
Careful masking as surfaces are not yet varnished.
39
June 28, 2024
Not the sharpest of mouldings for armaments.
.
40
June 28, 2024
There's a LOT of filing, scraping and sanding on every piece.
41
July 5, 2024
Nice to see some colour on. It's not accurate of course - this is me after all!
42
July 5, 2024
I'm going to hand paint the blue curve at nose.
43
July 5, 2024
44
July 5, 2024
45
July 5, 2024
46
August 27, 2024
Kit says black, but I've seen Mustangs with Olive drab - so for a nicer contrast olive drab it is!
47
August 27, 2024
A fair bit of effort has gone in to shaping the wing pylons into something resembling, er... aircraft wing pylons... The old pink/yellow trick being used too as a base coat for yellow wingtips.
48
August 28, 2024
I've had to go back here and amend to ensure fit, so subsequent priming and filling to complete.
49
August 28, 2024
Bit flatter 👍
50
October 8, 2024
Touching up blue.
51
October 8, 2024
Sharper lines all round.
52
October 11, 2024
So the front canopies are like a different scale.
53
October 11, 2024
I did a limited amount of fiddling, but to be honest, the kit is only of a certain 'quality' and as always my ethos remains to build out of the box and make the best of it. So I won't be spending hours and hours on this part as the canopy is what it is!
54
October 11, 2024
Touching in blue afterwards...
55
November 7, 2024
56
November 7, 2024
The canopies are not the best fit either.
57
November 7, 2024
WORK IN PROGRESS. UPDATED: 18/11/24...
58
November 7, 2024
Disregarded the kit decal stripes and painted my own versions.
59
November 7, 2024
Unfortunately the aged decals are splitting/breaking up upon application. This is not unusual when you build old kits.
60
November 7, 2024
Beginning panel line wash... I'm also much happier with the front screens, they're not perfect, but not as jarring as they were.
61
November 18, 2024
I'm having to subsequently re-scribe some lines as I go; after wiping off excess, as the kit recessed lines aren't always deep/good enough.
62
November 18, 2024
Decals seem to be holding up. I couldn't be bothered coating again with lacquer before applying Tamiya panel line. Just being very careful. So far, so good! I'm quite familiar with this model now and the way it behaves - it's been on my bench on and off for a year odd.
63
November 18, 2024
Beginning cleaning up of panel lines and adding back in more wash where required. The kit is full of flaws, but I find the overall effect appealing enough! 😉

Comentarios

63 7 February, 10:08

Robert Podkoński
Taking a seat, of course!

19 February, 13:03

Jennifer Franklin
Me too

19 February, 13:07

gorby
Good luck with this. It looks like you'll need it. 😉

19 February, 16:18

Neil
Welcome Robert, Jennifer and Gorby, very pleased to have your interest 🙂 your definitely right there @gorby. I mean I'm used to building 'duff' old kits, but this kit is duffer than the duffest thing ever made by the worlds duffest person! If that makes sense! Hahaha 🤣🤣

20 February, 00:42

Nathan Dempsey
With all the faith within me I summon blessings upon you in this build Neil. This one makes AA Models look like Hasegawa. With that said I felt a great sense of accomplishment upon finishing mine ( something I rarely feel).

20 February, 01:52

Spanjaard
it takes courage to even start such a great quality model.... but you are certainly getting good result out of it, looking forward the end result

20 February, 03:15

bughunter
Two beauties connected 👍

22 February, 11:59

Neil
Welcome! Thanks very much for all your encouraging words mates. You talented bunch are all very kind to show interest in my efforts with such a humble kit. It's definitely fighting me! I've got it a bit further along now, will add some imagery soon - we're at the primer, sand, prime, sand stage. Hahaha!

1 March, 09:23

Nathan Dempsey
Coming together quite nicely. Bringing back the memories 🙂

1 March, 14:35

Neil
Cheers Nathan 😎

7 March, 17:19

John
Thanks for wrestling with this beast of a kit so I don't have to. 👍 Looking good so far with lots of your elbow grease.

7 March, 21:56

Neil
Cheers mate! 🙂 Thanks for your encouragement. I'll continue the battle on this one 👍

18 March, 19:53

Neil
I'm used to building old kits that need 'help'. But this one needs a bit more than usual. After a lot of pre-paint priming filling/scraping/hacking/filing/sanding work and then more post primer fiddling, it's beginning to take shape somewhat. I couldn't resist giving it a blast of aluminium lightly on the wings last night! 😉 👍

10 May, 13:12

gorby
Remarkable perseverance and patience Neil. Most people would have given up on it by now.

10 May, 14:16

Neil
Hi Gorby 👍 Thanks mate! Yeah, I'll get it into some kind of Mustang shape hopefully.

10 May, 19:17

Thomas Bischoff
I for sure would have given up!
a lot of work but the result is convincing 👍

11 May, 06:44

Mike Montgomery
Is it weird that I could feel your pain, just by looking at the photos of your build?

11 May, 11:36

Neil
Hi Thomas 🙂 yeah, it's tried my patience that's for sure. Thanks for your words of encouragement though mate, really appreciated 👍 I'll get there. At the end of the day, if it looks (a bit) like a Mustang then it is a Mustang!! Obviously it's no Hasegawa! @mike, hehehe. Yeah I've kept my language polite, but not surprised my pain was still apparent! 🤣 Thanks for dropping by 👍

11 May, 12:39

Nathan Dempsey
Lovely work Neil. Can't wait to see the next steps.

14 May, 02:22

Neil
Thanks Nathan - I know you 'appreciate' this kit journey also! I'm really not sure that a stars and stripes aluminium scheme is gonna be the easiest finish to help hide imperfections of this kit either. But I'll do my best 👍

15 May, 12:16

Patryk S.
Following! Watching your builds of those older kits is something I can never get enough of because of the quality of your builds and the nostalgia factor. Big Respect from my side. Greetings, Patryk.

15 May, 12:57

Neil
Hi Patryk 🙂 Thanks mate! That means a lot. It's true that more often than not, it's a bit of a slog to get these oldies into shape. It's often tempting to bin one, hahaha 🤣 Especially when I look on the feed and see all these wonderful new kits which seem to (nearly always) fit in such an accomplished manner. But I rather masochisticaly choose to continue! Who knows why!? You're very kind, especially as I'm aware of your own skills. Greetings back atcha matey 😎👍

15 May, 20:27

gorby
Looks like you're winning the battle Neil. Remarkable work!

27 June, 06:24

Nathan Dempsey
Holy moly Neil, that's looking great!

27 June, 17:15

Neil
Hi mates. Thanks very much for checking in again and your encouraging words, hope you're both well 🙂 👍 Your feedback is most gratefully received and buoys me up to continue attacking this dastardly duo! POW! BANG! KAPOW! 👍 😉

28 June, 09:35

J35J
Great progress, keep up the good work!👍🏻

28 June, 19:38

Neil
Cheers mate 👍

29 June, 10:24

Guy Rump
Looking good, following. 👍

5 July, 17:24

Neil
Cheers Guy 👍🙂

6 July, 14:42

CaptGPF
It'a always a joy seeing someone transform an older, ill-fitting kit into a work of art. following!

6 July, 15:20

Mr D
It's a good metal finish 👍👌

6 July, 16:31

Neil
Hiya CaptGPF 👍 you're extremely kind to me, I'm trying to drag this kit into something respectable, it's not the best kit (understatement!) But it is a stunningly beautiful airframe and surprisingly large too! Thanks for your compliment 🙏

@Mr D thanks very much for your message also, I've built a few metallic finish aircraft of late, with each build my ability to add shade and depth to a metal finish is improving, though a long way from great! 👍

Thanks also for the likes to all who've dropped by too 🙂 I've parked it for a few days again to let everything cure. But more pics again soon 👍

6 July, 22:59

Mr D
See what you mean, the canopy is 1:46 scale 🤣, lve often had to re-make parts from old spru's n use super glue-gel to build up poorly moulded parts. It's not good but part of modeling l think.
Looking good 👌

7 July, 08:42

Neil
I'm beating it into shape - slowly! Handful of recent pics added. Thanks for the likes all too 🙂 👍

28 August, 16:03

Mr D
Very good 💯.. Nice job done, l like the build process uploads , it's good to learn tips n techniques.
Brilliant 👍👍👍

28 August, 17:37

Neil
Hi Mr D, thanks very much, you're very kind. 🙂 👍

29 August, 10:49

Guy Rump
Looking great, following. 👍

8 October, 15:36

Neil
Thanks very much Guy. You're very kind and most welcome here. It's definitely not the easiest kit I've ever undertaken and it's taking some time to build because of that. But I hope (slowly) it's beginning to look (somewhat) like a twin Mustang! Such a cool looking aircraft! 😎

8 October, 20:12

S M
Very nice progress and it's already almost painted!👍 btw interesting way of using cable ties for squeezing big parts together. I hope ypu have heard about releasable cable ties: hellermanntyton.com/..ble/rel250/131-22510

8 October, 21:11

Neil
Thanks very much mate, yes getting there but by bit, slow and steady. Appreciate your comment... Interesting info on reusable cable ties, that's a good shout. I'm still working my way through my original stash, but your suggestion makes perfect sense for my next purchase when needed 👍

8 October, 23:54