Airfix 1/72 P-51D with a twist! I build 4 of them at once! | Full build video

Greeting everyone! I present to you my 4x Mustang build. There were some challenges with this project, not to any fault of the kits, but rather the way I went about finishing this project. I took an 8 month break in the middle of this project to work on other things, and wasn't happy with the original metallic paint jobs I did, so they were stripped and started over! See all the details in the video.
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[@jorgehcampos1054]

Great job on all 4. Very nice kit, but it's biggest flaw is having the bubble canopy as a seperate piece from its sliding frame.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Interesting, I found that made for less masking. Thanks for watching!

[@Smaco.]

Great video, I found your channel a while ago now now I'm in love with your commentary style! Keep up the amazing work! I built the 1/48 airfix P-51K a few weeks ago, now I'm tempted to pick up this one as well!

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thats kind of you to say! Thank you! I can't recommend this little kit enough! Its very fun!

[@Chilly_Billy]

You can never have too many Mustangs. There are two Tamiyas, two Airfixes and an Academy in my stash at the moment.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thats what I keep saying! Sounds like you have a good variety to work on!

[@stephenmcdonald7908]

I've got 6 tamiya and 4 eduard at the moment. I can't stop buying them.

[@52down]

I've managed to purchase a ton of P-51Ds both Tamiya and Airfix issues and a decal sheet for 19 schemes for ponys of Iwo Jima plus the very same decals set you had for this quad build. I doubt I would be able to build them all combined with all the other models I acumulated, but meh.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

well, doesn't stop one from trying right!

[@martintimmer8574]

My favorite plane,nice built.lovely paint job. Airbrush just makes it all possible. 👍🏽

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thanks a lot!

[@jhs8496]

WWII planes are boring in their "olive top gray bottom" or straight aluminum paint jobs. More fun to modify them into Reno unlimited racers, vintage and new. Decals are available for some. Have fun.

[@steveknight4090]

Who does the Reno racer decal sheets?

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

I'm definitely at a point where I need some racer liveries in my collection!

[@jhs8496]

@@steveknight4090 Draw Decal.

[@pedrovales2000]

Great project. Just a small correction. The Airfix kit includes a landing light (part 3D), as you can see here on my model and in the Airfix instructions. I agree with the fragility of the landing gear. It really is the worst part of the kit. Furthermore, for this price and in this scale, this is one of the best kits available for the P-51D Mustang, perhaps the most beautiful aircraft of World War II, head to head with the Supermarine Spitfire.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Yeah, I’ve come to the conclusion that conclusion that I overlooked the landing light part! And I agree, the mustang is just the perfect melding of form and function!!

[@steveknight4090]

Very nice builds. The landing light is on the clear sprue, you can miss it if you don't know it's there. I am currently building two of this kit to go with the other 4 I have done. Decals for the ones I'm building now are from the Italeri F-51, with the rockets, and the Airfix GA-S Raf scheme. Prior to these two current builds, the other schemes were the 'Lollipoop' Tuskegee, The RAF scheme front the Italeri kit, 'Doodlebug' on a Matchbox kit and the 356th squadron scheme on a Heller kit.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Shoot, I guess I totally missed it! Sounds like you got your own little squadron in the making!

[@andrewsartscalemodels]

Hi mate. Great build. I did the same build video with 3 of these kits. But much lower quality. Yours look amazing!

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

right on, I'll have to go check it out!

[@willwoods6466]

Great job. Nice to see someone talk about lost MoJo and the process of getting it back.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@truthhurts9241]

Well, they're all really nice. I love the fact that you did "simple builds" that even us non-talented triers could do with a bit of effort. l also really appreciate seeing what goes wrong. I like learning your methods of rectification and recovery even better. Thanks for sharing this with us, I really enjoy your videos. Regards...

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you! 😊 Yeah, I've been thinking about doing a video on all my moments where things go wrong, I've got a few I can share! Thanks for watching!

[@dianaweidler5001]

hey! im a huge fan of youre work and i think youre fantastic at this! amazing job on the P-51 Mustang 4x or the "Cadilac of the sky"! dont get confused by the profile btw im just using my moms account bec im too lazy to click a few buttons to get on to my account haha! hey when do you think you can do the YF-23?

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thanks for the kind words! The F-23 is still on my radar to do (pun intended) but I continue to get commission projects and they take precedence in the build queue. But, I will get to it eventually!

[@ricardoroberto7054]

The airfix one has drop tanks that lack the seam. I added them by sandwiching plasti card between the 2 halves.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Yeah, I totally forgot to add the seams to the drop tanks!

[@ricardoroberto7054]

@@HammerheadModelMaking It's a small detail and doesn't detract from your excellent models. 👍

[@ashpitcher3]

Yeah I noticed this too, how could Airfix miss this detail? Currently working through a batch build of 7 Mustangs, will have to try your method of fixing the tanks.

[@ricardoroberto7054]

@@ashpitcher3 ha that's weird as I am working through bf109s. All 9 of them!

[@ernestobelo1074]

Beautiful job on all four Mustangs. I do have a few of them that I will have to paint in natural metal finish, but I don't use/ have a airbrush and it is really difficult to brush paint. Do you have any suggestions?

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thanks. Spray cans can be a good alternative, you can use an aluminum colored spray can to paint the whole plane, then you can use your brush paints to fill in all the details.

[@EoinScaleModels]

I've built built 2 of those kits, and both had the same issue with a bent landing gear leg. I always find with every Airfix kit that there'll always be some issue at some stage.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Yeah, especially with small or thin parts, their plastic makes those parts easy to break.

[@Spankey6TC]

All wonderful builds. Thank you for sharing.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Glad you like them!

[@OfficielEVO]

Awesome video! Thanks for all the details and tips, I'm only building my second model ever after a P47 from Tamiya and I learned a lot with your videos! I dont have an airbrush yet but I'll try some simpler livery with water based paint and a good old brush. A very small detail that I'm not even sure about, but I think operating P51 had the center portion of the gear cover always up. From air shows videos, or pictures of modern working ones, you very rarely see them with that portion down (only when they lower/retract the gear). Then again don't quote me on that, and all other youtubers do it like you did, but I think they look a little more mustangy with this part up! Thanks again and looking forward to binge watching all your videos :D

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thanks! I'm glad you picked the Tamiya P-47, its a great kit! Also regarding the P-51 landing gear doors, you are partially right. So, the landing gear doors and the flaps were both hydraulically actuated, so when the engine was running and there was pressure in the hydraulic lines the center landing gear doors would be up flush to the body of the aircraft. But once the engine was shut down, the pressure in the hydraulic system would slowly bleed off, causing the flaps and center landing gear doors to slowly drop. Cheers!

[@OfficielEVO]

@@HammerheadModelMaking that makes perfect sense! Thanks for clarification, I really appreciate the attention to details you have. Cheers!

[@elgringo1970]

great build, i would really like to see a detailed paint job on the checkered nose and wing tips.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

I plan on doing a 1/48 scale version of Big Beautiful Doll sometime in the future which will allow me to go into more detail on the painting, but for this version, the checkers are actually all decals.

[@Chodaboysaix]

I just bought 4 arma hobby mustangs for a bargain from Besos' shop. I wonder if I won't end up doing as you did with these ones. How do you work with vallejo's primer? I had some difficulties with it pealing and being like rubber on my first attempt. Since I switched to tamiya's in can but I'd like not to waste this one.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

I really need to give the Arma Hobby Mustang a go, I've heard its a great kit. I don't love the Vallejo primer, but I find that once thinned correctly, it sprays really nice and leaves a nice satin sheen. But its very fragile and can't handle masking, it just pulls off. Also, it doesn't sand. So, I've relegated it to priming small objects, or areas where I know I wont do any masking.

[@Chodaboysaix]

@HammerheadModelMaking oh you definitely should! I got them for about 13eur from Jeff Bezos' (against 23 to 26eur on regular online hobby shops). That was such a bargain that I took 4 of them. They look amazing.

[@scaleffect]

Cool lineup. Have several of these myself, good idea to do several schemes. Great job, hard to pick a favorite. Thanks for sharing your hard work as always.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thanks for watching!

[@perskjelbred7099]

Try to advance to 1/48!! Another world!

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

I've got 3 of the Eudard P-51s in my stash just waiting for me to get started!

[@wombat_models]

Nice collection Brett, makes me want to rush out and pick up a few more Airfix P-51's (have got one in the stash)! Can't agree with you re the 352nd FG Blue Nosed mustangs though!!

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

I mean, they're just so inexpensive (at least where I live)! And yeah, I knew I'd catch some flak for the Blue Nose comment, but I can't take it back now ha ha! Cheers mate!

[@wombat_models]

Yeah, they are around $19 here in Oz. Nice kits. I like their1/72 Spitfires too. Re the 352nd - I've got a plan to build a P-47D, P-51B & P-51D in 1/48 (all Tamiya) to represent the three squadrons and the three aircraft they flew.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

@@wombat_models I agree, their spitfire is a great little kit too! Your plan sounds awesome for those three fighters! Can’t wait to see that!

[@alanrogers8535]

You dont like the blue nose ??? I may just have to un subscribe... Nah... every kit you build is awesome.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

I guess I should re-phrase it as "I like it less than the others" But, truth be told, its my second blue nose mustang in my collection, so I guess they're not too bad!

[@alanrogers8535]

@@HammerheadModelMaking Yes, you did say that in your video. I just wanted to try and be a bit funny. I bought the Airfix 1.24 kit blue nose in 1976(I think) and because of that it (blue nose) has been my favourite ever since. Keep building, stay young.

[@MoonwalkerModels]

Trent and I always watch your videos to the end! He gets so excited when he sees them finished! This time he said "Whoa, shiny!". 🙂

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

That makes me so happy, just wait until I get to my F-84 video, that one is REALLY shiny!

[@kevinhedrich6026]

Those turned out great!! I'm doing 3 of the new Special Hobby Emils at the same time too. Well, I was, a lot of masking projects lately so they are languishing like yours were.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

That sounds awesome Kevin, that would be cool to also have a fleet of 109s, they can be just as colorful and unique.

[@GDstory2023]

It's amazing that a 76-scale plane can be built in such detail. Thank you for the good video^^👍👍😊😊

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you very much!

[@willthorson4543]

Goid job on tiny P51s. One thing about rough invasion stripes? Have a maintenence guy on a wing with a mop and a bucket painting the stripes. Or on the ground near a wing.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thats not a bad idea, would make a neat little vignette.

[@johnhawley2465]

I'm doing the exact same thing. Building 5 kits. I have already built 5 and agree on the landing gear weakness. I only have 13 more in the stash

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Wow, right on! One can never have enough Mustangs!

[@Ale.Scalemodels]

Great job mate, great job mate, great job mate, great job mate...one for every mustang 😃

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Ha ha, thanks my friend!

[@davidguy6823]

Brilliant project beautifully executed. Thanks for sharing.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@scottpayton1352]

I use the same template for the nose cones👍

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

awesome!

[@ricardoroberto7054]

There are 2 canopies open and closed as the open one spread slightly but the change at this scale is minimal. Edit: actually it could be the Dallas alternative.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

I guess I didn't notice with their widths, only the profile difference, once is a slightly more constant radius curve and the other is a slightly flatten curve on top.

[@ricardoroberto7054]

@@HammerheadModelMaking I think you are right actually. Probably the Dallas canopy? I don't remember the instructions making it clear but could be me.

[@ashpitcher3]

It is the Dallas canopy option included.

[@jerrystone7521]

Looks like you had fun. Good deal!!

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

It was enjoyable!

[@Thedutchspitfire4045]

Great kit indeed, I’am excited to get the new arma hobby P-51D when bring it out

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Oh nice, I didn't know they were going to release a D, that will be awesome!

[@HangardelModelista]

Great job and video!

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you!!

[@chrismawson4185]

Loving your work and now after watching this i need to scratch my p51 itch😂

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Lol, glad I could help! I'm a sucker for the Mustang, might be working on some 1/48 mustangs in the near future!

[@The_Male_Modeller]

Great video and 4 beautiful thoroughbreds!

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you kindly!

[@kiwifruitpoo]

Really like your cockpit detailing. Just before “intermission” I was saying “oh no! Spraying Vallejo Metallics! 😅

[@perskjelbred7099]

Vallajo metallics are great! I have gone through all!!

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

I normally don't have much of an issue with the Vallejo metallics, but they just weren't working for me on this one. But, I was able to get things worked out!

[@mikedietrich8356]

Great video and nice job on all the kits. I especially like the one with the black and white checkers.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thanks, yeah, that one is my favorite as well!

[@billbrowning3021]

Nicely done. I did the same thing - three Tuskegee P-51's.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thats awesome!

[@septiccalling8341]

Really nice little collection.....great work! 👍🏻👏🏻👌🏻

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thanks for watching!

[@goforitpainting]

WOW. So cool.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thanks!

[@kiwiruna9077]

Looks like a really fun project, as usual a real winner.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you!

[@ldom77]

superbe !

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you!

[@stewarts8597]

A great set. Wonderfully done

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you! Cheers!