1/72 RAF North American Mustang FR.V, Malaya, April 1954

[KiwiZac]

Airfix 1/72 North American Mustang FR.V PS888 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

A few weeks ago I thought how neat an F-6D photorecon Mustang would look in the colours worn by an RAF Spitfire Mk.XIX. Imagine my surprise a couple of days ago when an Airfix F-51 turns up in a care package from a generous forumite, along with an Airfix Spit XIX which would not be needing its decals!

Airfix 1/72 North American Mustang FR.V PS888 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

I haven't got a backstory beyond the Spitfire XIX not working out and the RAF instead ordered the F-6D, now designated FR.V (Fighter Reconnaissance), which gave excellent range as well as having hardpoints and guns.

Airfix 1/72 North American Mustang FR.V PS888 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

I love New Airfix kits. This is the second time I've built their Mustang, and I had no problems except the aerial mast was possibly shortshot as it was very thin and broke when I tried to trim flash off it. Spares to the rescue!

Airfix 1/72 North American Mustang FR.V PS888 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

Airfix Spit XIX kit A02017 donated its (very sparse!) decals for the national marking and serial, whereas the base Mustang gave a lovely selection of stencils which I used in their entirety. I used Humbrol 230 PRU Blue and (I think, I didn't note it down) Tamiya XF-83 Medium Sea Grey 2 (RAF) to adapt the XIX's paint scheme, which I think works rather well. I also dove into my spares box to find the loop aerial and oblique and vertical camera port fairings, for which I drilled the side apertures and then got some Humbrol Clearfix over all three.

Airfix 1/72 North American Mustang FR.V PS888 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
Airfix 1/72 North American Mustang FR.V PS888 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

I'm pleased with how this worked out and I hope you like it!

[FAAMAN]

Nice and different, well done 

[Brian da Basher]

I like the cool "reversed color" scheme.

Well done, Zac!

Brian da Basher

[elmayerle]

Beautiful model, Zac, and nicely worked out.

[apophenia]

A few weeks ago I thought how neat an F-6D photorecon Mustang would look in the colours worn by an RAF Spitfire Mk.XIX...

Well you were right! It's a spectacular combination (and a great build) 

[Frank3k]

That looks very nice - the color combo and the decals really stand out. I agree with you - the new Airfix kits (like the P-51) are just wonderful. I was going to use one as a parts donor for an um-twinned Monogram F-82 until I saw how nice it was - far better than the ancient Monogram kit.

[Brian da Basher]

I agree with you - the new Airfix kits (like the P-51) are just wonderful. I was going to use one as a parts donor for an um-twinned Monogram F-82 until I saw how nice it was - far better than the ancient Monogram kit.

Their 1/72 P-40B/C Tomahawk is best in class and their new tool 1/72 F4F is pretty sweet too.

Even if you're kinda "meh" on the types, they build so easy and are priced so reasonable it's worth it.

Brian da Basher

[KiwiZac]

Thanks for the kind words gents!

I agree with you - the new Airfix kits (like the P-51) are just wonderful. I was going to use one as a parts donor for an um-twinned Monogram F-82 until I saw how nice it was - far better than the ancient Monogram kit.

Their 1/72 P-40B/C Tomahawk is best in class and their new tool 1/72 F4F is pretty sweet too.

Even if you're kinda "meh" on the types, they build so easy and are priced so reasonable it's worth it.

Brian da Basher

I was recently sent a Hobby Boss Tomahawk and an Airfix one. I was about to carve up the Airfix one for a fairly drastic project when I decided it was just too nice to butcher!

[deathjester]

I like that - looks just 'right' In that scheme...well done!!

[KiwiZac]

Thanks DJ!