**** DONE: P-51B Mustang "Shangri-La" Cpt D.Gentile 336th FS - A/c of the Aces GB

[tigerdriver]

Username: Tigerdriver
First name: Dave
Category: Beginner
Scale: 1/48
Manufacturer: Tamiya
Model Type: NA P-51B Mustang
Aftermarket addons: None planned
Decals: OOB


OK my first kit since the winter as I have been away looking after my Dad . And my first group build. So be kind and stand ready to help!!

This is an utterly un original choice, straight from the box. I am sure both the pilot and craft will be very familiar to almost all of you so I wont bore you all with too much history. C. Gentile was certainly a character, sent home at the end of his tour following a crash whilst buzzing his own base !

As i live in Norfolk ( thats the real one in the uk as opposed to Virgina ) I am totally surrounded by former WWII airbases. The local airport was a Liberator base, as was Hethel, home of my first love, Lotus sports cars. The 336th FS was based about 40 miles away at RAF Debden. The 357th Yoxford Boys and 352nd " Blue Nosers of Bodney" were within a few miles .



The kit looks to be the usual Tamiya smooth job. I know the cockpit floor is incorrect, representing the earlier curved floor not the proper flat one, and I will try and get the undercarriage at the correct angle.

Other than that nothing flash attempted, I will just be pleased to do this lovely kit justice

[Andy70]

My first group build, too! We'll have to stick together among all these veterans! Looking forward to watching your Mustang come together!

[tigerdriver]

Just dont look too close

This forum is tricky, theres some great guys with amazing knowledge and talent who do great work. But it can leave you feel a bit inadequte !

[Nxthanos]

Excellent choice!

In fact, i plan on making Don's plane myself one of these days!

[rochie]

nice to have you both aboard, that Tamiya kit is a great kit to build

[Airframes]

Yep, it's a nice little kit. I have a few colour pics of Gentille's aircraft if you need them.

[tigerdriver]

Thanks Terry that would be ace

[Airframes]

No probs - leave it with me and I'll scan and post them over the weekend.

[Coors9]

Can't wait to see this one , seeing as he's the greatest fighter pilot EVER......According to me....lol. Dam, what a beautiful bird Shangri-La is.

[Peebs]

Welcome aboard Dave,
I'm sure you'll be satisfied with your efforts! Beauty is in the eye of the beholder after all!

[Vic Balshaw]

I suspected we would get a P-51 in this build somewhere, excellent choice Dave and great to have you join in.

[ozhawk40]

Good to see you in a GB Dave, and Shangri-la is a cracker of a choice, well done, so let's see some plastic.

Cheers

Peter

[tigerdriver]

Thanks for the kind words chaps, looking forward to trying to move my modelling up a notch

I have a lot to learn to even get close to usual standards here, but decided to enter the GB for the fun, camaraderie and for a bit of motivation. Always been a bit of a fan of the P-51 , will shove some pics of the pit up over the weekend

[Nxthanos]

You will do fine TD, I post my stuff and its quite average compared to these fellas, i'm sure yours will be excellent!

[tigerdriver]

Well i had a mess about with the cockpit .... painted most of it ZC with some grey and black as indicated by the instructions , and had a bit of a test fit ... will tidy up and apply a bit more weathering