The Modelling News - 10 October 2011

First is the latest news from BarracudaCals that they have re-done the whole interior cockpit placards and stencils in decal form – from the image from BarracudaCals site you can see how the completed item looks when applied. I must admit I was taken in straight away, this level of detail isn’t even available on the metal self-adhesive cockpit panels you can get now-days. You can see the thinness of these fine deals by this view of them in held against the light,

BarracudaCals have also released their newest sheet of aircraft decals for this plane in 1/32 as well as 1/48th and 1/72nd – and quite a nice collection it is as well.

RB Productions has given us a great little add on to the Mustang in the form of a new radiator grill for this kit. It is a finer grade of material and is see-through and certainly from these images looks the part when viewed against the kit part.

These drop straight into the kit as direct replacements and no cutting or modifications are needed. The parts are etched in stainless steel. The radiators can be sprayed with matt varnish to provide a very realistic natural metal finish. Also, the radiator parts are see-through, just like the real thing. Comparison between the coolant radiators provided in this set and the kit part.

Also included in the package are bonus parts for the canopy side rails. As these are made of stainless steel, they will replicate perfectly the look of the full-size items without any need for paint. View of the top part of the canopy rail.

Side view of the canopy rail.

ZOTZ have released four decal sets for the Mustang kit. Three of the kits can be used for most mustang kits on the market because of their non-kit shape specifics. I mean that they don’t have to fit exactly to a kit part – they are pretty nice and we have looked at them in the blog here before. The previous Zotz Releases from the Modelling news a few months back are also on the blog here.

The latest is the 78th fighter group decals for “The Duxford Eagles”. This sheet's decals are made specifically to fit onto the new Tamiya mustangs front cowlings leaving a lovely Chequered airplane – there are two different aircraft depicted – “Big Dick” and “Little chick”. Here is how the decal fits onto the cowling and how well it adheres…

And the real thing..

The colour schemes of all of these four sheets in 1/32 are great choices, much better than the ones which come with the kit in my opinion. Hang on what about seatbelts and the cockpit floor? Well we have that covered as well!

HGW has released a new set of seat harnesses in microfiber for the new Tamiya Mustang kit in 1/32.

Not enough to provide the excellent seatbelts in Microfiber, HGW provide some wooden decals for the floor of the Mustang cockpit – these cockpits were sometimes painted over but often left in their bare wood finish (a REAL expert would know what type of wood) Anyway it will save a tedious wood paint job and the seatbelts are a marked improvement on the kit – even though no one will say that in public (oops)

Grey Matter Figures from the UK have added to the long list of add-ons with several aftermarket parts created by the great Mustang aficionado, Jerry Rutman. After ceasing full-time trading recently, the modelling world was at a loss for accurate replacement parts for P-51’s. To the rescue came Grey Matter who bought the rights for the patterns and now distribute the parts for not only this but the Dragon P-514D as well. – Here is a quick picture essay of what they have available to tune your mustang into a masterpiece.. Hooded tail bay and strut for the Tamiya P51D.

Direct replacement wheels for the Tamiya kit

Aeroproducts props, spinner, backplate and hub, These are a direct replacement for the Tamiya kit.

Spinner and backplate for the Hamilton standard cuffed props. These are a direct replacement for the Tamiya kit.

1/32 scale Aeroproducts uncuffed prop blades that may be used with the Tamiya P51 Mustang kit.

1/32 P51 wheel set for Dragon, Trumpeter, Hasegawa, Hobbycraft kits.

This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the quality aftermarket goods Grey Matter has for sale. Visit their website at the link above to see more of what you need when it comes to your mustang kit.

Lastly this month we have the other big player in decal accuracy, historical research and excellent usability, EagleCals from the US – with their four new decal sets to match the P-51 they have not been left out of the game either.

Here we tested these decals on the kit with superlative results – they adhere so stongly and snugly – the skin texture is not interfered with at all – haven’t things changed in the modelling world!?

Famous planes like “big Beautiful Doll and Lou IV are captured here – if you are a mustang fan well you really should pinch yourselves now!

Eaglecals tell us they are going to re-print some of their other decals to fit the cowling of the Mustang as well - that is indeed a boon for those who feared their old favourites would never be re-printed! When they are available I will make sure you know.

Until next week when there will be no mustang news what-so-ever, I will keep digging for new things to show you and interesting tit-bits of the goings on of the modelling world – till that time pleas do enjoy your modelling!

Adam Norenberg