Nico I must admit hearing, "your work" and "clean" in the same sentence is not something I thought I would ever hear. Many thanks. Scratchbuilding is a lot of fun. I firmly believe that anyone can do what I do, most would do it much better.



Joe

Ten steps backwards and then one forward.

Had some big issues trying to get this mocked up for pictures this time. Something was wrong. I had a hard time putting my finger on it. After much frustration and in a fit of anger I removed all the parts (not so gently) and then got down to the basics. After some study I noticed the firewall was glued off kilter. i separated and then reglued and what do you know it seemed to work.

So after the big mess I again used white glue to mock up what little progress I have.

The sidewalls of the fuselage are coming together. This was the original progress I wanted to show. The radio equipment and fuel tank still seem off to me. A couple of pictures just to show the rework. I did take the opportunity to rework the seat as well.




Now make no mistake I have more work to do on the pit. I also have an alternative to the copper wire that I tried to use. But I really believe that this time I can progress without the setback.

All comments, critiques, and criticism are encouraged.



Joe

Progress is progress no matter how small.

Today I can show a little progress.

Paint has been thrown at the work so far. This does not mean I am ready to close it all up but it is a significant step as I am getting close to the point where construction turns into finishing.

All the interior parts have been painted including the interior of the fuselage and the flooring/bulkheads. The copper wire is gone and an alternative is now fit. Nothing is glued though.



I also jumped the gun just a little but I wanted to see what the fuselage would look like with the paint. Alclad Airframe Aluminum over Gloss Gray.



Next up will be to finish up all the little construction, just a few things left. Final touches and then I will look to the engine compartment. Bad news I am afraid though. The kit did not come with anything resembling engine mounts.

Oh Boy.



All comments, critiques, and criticism are encouraged.



Joe

Hi Joe,
Your cockpit parts look great! I like your use of copper wire. Not much else can beat it for bending and holding shape other than solder. But solder is hard to find in small enough diameterS.

Best wishes,


Gary

Very true Gary. Many thanks for the kind comment.



Joe

Well my friends after a month or better of inactivity here I am again.

Just a quick update showing a mock up of the engine and the little work I have done.

I have mocked up a couple of engine mounts and worked a bit on some of the pipping and the oil tank.



And how it looks in the fuselage.



Still a ton to add to the engine and the engine compartment but it is a start.

All comments, critiques, and criticism are encouraged.



Joe

A quick update on the Mustang.

Paint has flown on the engine. Yes progress has been made. There have been some issues along the way and I do need to do some touch up on some pieces. I also managed to break off a few parts. All in all though not a big deal.

The engine got a coat of Gloss Black, the headers Flat Black, the exhausts were given the Alclad treatment with Polished Aluminium and then Model Master Metalic Burnt Iron. The firewall is Model Master Zinc Chromate Yellow, the oil tank is finished in Dark Aluminium.

I need to fix some of the small wires and such prior to getting it all into the fuselage.




And then with everything mocked up.



Moving right along.

All comments, critiques, and criticism are encouraged.



Joe

Cool idea with the plastic spoons.

I saw that done on YouTube and it really does help to get the paint tones where you are not guessing at what they could be. Prep just like with the build and spray and you have a perfect color chip.



Joe

Folks it is all starting to really come together.

The last few days have been all about the little stuff and getting them and the interior ready for installation.

The attachment point for the radio antenna is done and attached to the seat. Other than the gunsight, piece of crappy plastic it is, everything is ready for installation.



The landing gear, nose cone, prop blades, and other assorted misc parts are nearing completion.



The next step for me will be to get everything into the fuse and close it up. My next update may well be the last until the article is given a yes or no. All in all this has been interesting to say the least.

A brief rant. To go along with the molded on flaps and rudder this piece that is to represent the gunsight is absolutely the worst attempt I have seen. It resembles neither the D-9 sight nor the K-14 sight used in the Mustangs. What a disappointment some of this has been.

Ah well........Onward.

All comments, critiques, and criticism are encouraged.



Joe

Big progress to update.

The fuselage is closed, the wings are on.

That is the good news, the bad is I need to repair a ton of stuff as I had to use a major amount of force to be able to get the wing into place. Blasted thing fought me the whole time. I ended up removing a couple of parts, breaking some of the stringers off of the cut wing, splitting the fuselage, and assorted small stuff. I also had a misfire with a clamp that made my one piece tail wheel assembly into a three piece assembly that I had to pin together again.

Good lord that was a lot of work to get the wing on.

After all that I commenced to touching up the painting of the fuselage with Gloss Gray and then Alclad Airframe Aluminium.

So here is where it stood at the beginning of my session today.





Today was spent working on the landing gear and more touch up on the fuselage. Through the course of the upcoming week I will need to repair the wing and make sure all is good.

All comments, critiques, and criticism are encouraged.


Joe

Hey Joe,
Sorry to hear it was such a pain to put together. Still, your detailing looks great!

Gary

Not being very familiar with the subject (of course I know what a Mustang is ) I can't give much feedback on accuracy etc, but I can say that i am most impressed by your skills and perseverance, which really pays off.



Jelger

Wow! You are on a mission...
Looks great
gr TC

Many many thanks all.



Joe

Well here I am. The build is nearing completion.

I had some big issues with the decals. I had to spray the tail checkerboard. I had some other issues. I am not all that pleased with the decals, they were fragile and very fiddly.

i am about 95% finished with the kit. I do have the prop, the antenna wire, the tail wheel doors, and some tiny bits left.

Pictures.....




This will be the last update from me until the article either gets printed or I get a no go for it.

All comments, critiques, and comments are encouraged.



Joe

Wow, that is some impressive masking and painting. Cutting and jeasuring all of those little squares would have been torture. You've done very well!

Didi you use masking tape, or photo frisket? I've been using photo frisket on projects lately with varying results. The variance usually caused by my unsteady hands and wirsening eyesight.

Gary

Many thanks Gary. I used painters blue tape.



Joe