The Little World

Let’s face it – if you want to make a model of a Mustang, Spitfire, Messerschmitt, or Focke Wulf fighter plane, you are not going to be denied the chance by any scarcity of kits. Every major manufacturer of plastic models seems to have these as their basic stock – often in multiple variants and price ranges. In some instances the details of the castings are slightly altered but in many cases it is just a matter of colour schemes in the call-out and a different decal sheet. I’m not sure it is a sales idea that works, because I see shelves stacked with these kits that just sit there.

But sales or not I needed a P-51D for an colour scheme experiment so who better than good old, cheap old. Hobby Boss. A guaranteed fit of all parts and a level of detail that supports 1:72 scale perfectly.

there’s two choices of exhaust pipe and clear canopy. I would normally opt for an open one when given the choice, but my prototype for this build has it closed – and it will be necessary to keep the model closed to get the full effect of the experiment.

The instructions are extensive…

The colour call-out adequate

And the kit decal sheet’s very well done. Hobby Boss decals are quite docile and snuggle down well with Micro Sol. The experimental decals are from a New Zealand company and are possibly going to be difficult. I’ve already used some from one of their other sheets and they were thick and inflexible. I am hoping that the smoother surface of this Mustang will allow a better fit. If not, it is going to be the stencil and air brush.

I’m not even going to attempt the red/white tail as a decal – that’ll be a paint job from the outset.