This is Hasegawa's 1/48 P-51D, of the El Salvador Air Force. Since the flaps are molded in the raised position and the wheel wells are a bit shallow, I decided to close the wheel cover doors. The kit parts don't fit closed, so I made new ones from thin sheet styrene.
The camo is freehand, using Gunze SEA camo colors. I only had a couple of small, grainy reference pics, so the pattern on the wings is more "imagineering" than anything else. To my eyes, it seems to fit the left fuselage and tailplane patterns (the only areas I could see in the photos).
Many of these aircraft were actually privately-owned civilian birds, which were commandeered, armed, and pressed into service. They're not like any other Mustangs !
Next is Hasegawa's 1/48 F4U-5N of the Honduran Air Force. This is a really nice kit, with finely scribed surface detail. I need to get one of these for myself ! The color is, well . . . blue. Model Master enamel Dark Sea Blue. Only the canopy needed to be masked.
Finally, another HobbyCraft FG-1D Corsair, of the El Salvador Air Force. This one is "pre-war," as it appeared in 1961. I have painted the blue & white markings, as the kit decals are unsuable. The unpainted portions of the aircraft will be finished in a few different shades of Alcad. I'll also be masking and painting the roundels and "FAS" markings after the metal finish is applied. Dig those yellow canopy frames ! This will be one sharp-looking little bird.
After I paint a couple yellow stripes on the Mustang, I can Future them all. (I use Future as a protective coat for Alcad). Won't be long now 'till they're all done.
