Subject: Re: Academy Korean War Mustang
From: "Submissions for ARC" <[email-masked]>
To: "Michael Paul Reysio-Cruz" <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 28 Jul 2008 19:09:23 -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: Michael Paul Reysio-Cruz 
  To: [email-masked] 
  Sent: Friday, June 27, 2008 5:05 PM
  Subject: Academy Korean War Mustang

  "1/72 Academy F-51D "Korean War" " 

  by "Micah Reysio-Cruz"
  --------------------

        Steve Bamford will insert full sized version of photo 01.jpg here 

  Greetings from Manila! I saw this little Mustang as a great way to get some modeling done over the weekend, and to apply some newly-learned techniques. Actually, it took almost three weekends to get it done, but I am quite pleased with the result.  The Academy kit is just a re-boxing of their WW2 D-model mustang. The real change over the earlier kit are the three decal options (2 Korean AF, 1 USAF), and the Jeep that is packed along with the kit. Fit is excellent, and detail is quite adequate for the scale. I chose to model James Glessner's aircraft, of the 12 FBS, which had 1 kill marking.  

  At one point, my research showed that the real aircraft depicted by the kit had rocket rails under each wing, but as this was a "relaxation build", I opted to forego scratchbuilding them and painted one of the drop tanks to look like napalm tanks.  At least I am sure that Korean War Mustangs actually carried those.  I drilled out the gun barrels with a pin vise and replaced them with syringe needles cut to size with a file. The ADF loop to the rear of the fuselage was a common feature of Korean War F-51s, and I scratchbuilt one by wrapping stretched sprue over a length of thin tubing and applying softening heat. The tail wheel is too short, and had to be extended in order to allow the aircraft to sit properly in the three-point position. I left out the gear doors as most F-51s had  their tailwheels locked down to prevent malfunctions.  

  Basic airframe colors are Tamiya and Gunze enamels, sealed in with dullcoat. The wingtip and tail colors are decals, set with lots of Mr. Mark Softer. The decals do not cover perfectly, so I touched up with enamels and sealed with Future to maintain the bright, glossy look. The spinner is painted in enamels and sealed with Future floor wax. Weathering was done with Tamiya acrylics to prevent damaging the basic colors. I used a lot of reference photos to help me capture the "forward airstrip" look of these aircraft. Contrary to what I first thought, some Mustangs were actually very sharp in appearance (at the time the photos were taken, anyway) and not soot-stained and worn-out. 

  Thanks and happy modeling! 

        Steve Bamford will insert full sized version of photo 02.jpg here 

  Photos and text © by "Micah Reysio-Cruz"