Howdy Folks, just hope someone can enlighten me as to the proper silver color of P-51B/C's. Now I heard that they were sprayed overall with an aluminum dope at the factory then I see others using Alclad polished-type colors which looks alittle like "overkill". Next up, pics I've seen of their wing surfaces showing the slightest bit of panel lines. Then I read a build article where someone stated that the wings were smooth except for the MG Access panels. Any answers to these would be greatly appreciated. I've got P-51 A, B and C builds going on right now. Thank you!

the fuse was aluminum, the wings were puttied and sealed then painted "silver"

Read this:

http://www.arcforums.com/forums/air/index.php?showtopic=21362

Shawn is right . The fuselage was left in it's natuarl metal while the wings were putty and paint in dural alumm paint .

Much appreciate the replies folks, thank you. One small problem though, what about the Tail Wings? Same silver color with panel lines filled or Aluminum? Sorry to be a pest!

tail surfaces were aluminum.
The wing was puttied and sealed to aid in the laminar air flow over the wing, improving its efficiency and reducing drag.

Gee thanks guys. I read thru all of this and got all excited to try it out on the Testors/Hawk P-51D I was building for the P-51 campaign. The fuselage has engraved panel lines, the wings have raised panel lines. Maube I can chisel them off with out doing too much damage. This really is a transition kit...

Thanks Shawn, really apprecite the info. It's going to prove very valuable as I'm doing a P-51A, B, F-6A and C models and 2 of them will be in the Natural metal/Silver/OD scheme.
I didn't know there was a P-51 build campaign?

Here's the thread. We're ~2 1/2 months into it if you still want to sign up. Check with Terri (The Girl)

https://aeroscale.kitmaker.net/forums/140777&ord=&page=15

Just to throw a spanner in the works here - I've just been to the RAF musuem in Hendon (London) at the weekend and I was looking at the P51D they have there (US markings) and it seems its mostly very shiny natural metal but they were a lot of panels in a much duller (painted I guess) silver colour. Not just the wings but on the fuselage too.
Obviously I have no idea if thats what is was like in service or whether thats been done during restoration but my advice is do your model to your taste. I bet they were very shiny when brand new but the shine would go in service. I have several P-51's to do but as I model in 1/72 I'm not sure I will do all the panels that were different - maybe just some larger ones.
Another thing I've noticed is that 'Big Beautiful Doll' base at Duxford has natural metal on the inside of her landing gear covers and I'm sure in the wheel wells too but the one in Hendon's are green! Again I have no idea which is right! I thought there were interior green but maybe again thats been changed during restoration. So should I do my 'Big Beautiful Doll''s wheel wells etc in green or silver? Guess I can't go wrong really there but what about others?

thanks
Mike

Thats ideal! Raised ones on the wings are way easier to sand off then having to fill them all!

Seems to be, I got most of the lines off last night. Now I've just got to polish them out. Several areas are heavily riveted, they might be more of a challenge.

filler or Mr.Surfacer should work..never used the stuff though

I was thinking about the filler idea. I might just try thin stretched sprue and Testors liquid cement to fill in those small lines. Might just work out better. Thanks Shawn, for the extra info on the tail planes. Now I can get these puppies right!