Subject: Re: Costa Rica Mustang article - Fernando Moreno
From: "Submissions for ARC" <[email-masked]>
To: "MORENO V. Fernando EXIROS.MX" <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 5 Sep 2007 10:38:28 -0700

Hi,
I just wanted to let you know your article went on ARC today.  Thanks again for sending it in.

Steve Bamford
Aircraft Resource Center
http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com

Live like there is no tomorrow;
Love like you've never been hurt.
Work like you don't need the money.
Dance like nobody's watching.
Sing like nobody's listening.
Live like it's Heaven on Earth.

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: MORENO V. Fernando EXIROS.MX 
  To: Steve Bamford ARC 
  Cc: [email-masked] 
  Sent: Wednesday, August 01, 2007 1:52 PM
  Subject: Costa Rica Mustang article - Fernando Moreno 

  Hello Steve

  Please find here my article for this Heller Mustang in service with the government of Costa Rica in 1955. I'm including here the pictures in a zipped file. Please let me know if you have problems to unload them. If possible, it would be nice to see it published in August 13th.

  Thank you a lot!

   

  1/72 Heller P-51D Mustang

  by Fernando I. Moreno Villa
  --------------------

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  Hello modelers!

  Now I present my first BMF aircraft: a glorious P-51D Mustang in service with Costa Rica. In 1955, dictators A. Somoza and L. Trujillo from Nicaragua and Dominican Republic respectively, sponsored an uprising with the intention to depose President José Figueres, who won the elections in 1953. The group of rebels and mercenaries, named "Calderonistas", received direct support from the Somoza's regime in terms of equipment and air transportation. After the first armed clashes, President Figueres requested help to the OEA (Organization of American States) and obtained from the U.S. four P-51D Mustangs from the Texan N.G. at $ 1 dollar each to reinforce the government forces. They operated successfully against the rebels but had a short operative life and finally, just one was returned to the US several years later. 

  Click on images below to see larger images

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       7.jpg 

   

  THE KIT

  The Heller kit has raised panel lines and lacks of detail in seat or interiors. Despite these drawbacks, it is a good kit easy to built, with nicely detailed surface and instrument panel. It has two types of clear glass for two canopy versions. I tried to scratchbuild some basics for the cockpit like the lateral control panels and the battery behind the seat.

  PAINTING

  As I mentioned, I've never worked a BMF before and I was a little bit nervous about screwing it up. After some research I decided to apply a primer coat of Gloss Black...Mistake! Later, I learned this work better for Alclad II and other lacquer metalizers, but MM Buff Metalizers should be applied directly over well polished plastic. However, it helped me to obtain a smoother surface that corrected several little imperfections. After applying some coats of metalizer, my opinion started to change about BMF. I liked how it looked and then I realized that I enjoyed working this finish. Of course I need much more practice to achieve a realistic shape with different panel shades, but I was happy with my first try. I applied a coat of Future before and after decals, and some Flat Clear over the anti-glare panel, masking around with Tamiya tape and post-its. 

  DECALS

  These came from the new marvelous Aztec's Latin Mustangs II decal sheet. It includes decals to build several interesting and colorful schemes of Costa Rica, Nicaragua National Guard and Cuban Revolutionary Mustangs, with a full set of stencils and other additional marks to allow making very realistic models. 

  WEATHERING

  It consisted only of a light oil wash in Black on flaps and rudder engraved lines. I tried to keep it clean, because these planes didn't see intensive action in Costa Rican hands. Also, I dry-brushed some black pastel powder to show light engine escape stains. 

  CONCLUSION

  Well, as my first BMF I was glad to complete it without making a real mess. I should try giving panel shades and sealing with something better than Future. About the kit, I got what I paid for, but I feel happy with the outcome. I'm starting to built up my collection of Latin American fighters. 

  Thank you all and regards from Monterrey, México.

  Fernando

        6.jpg 

      Photos and text © by Fernando I. Moreno Villa 

  2007

   

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