Commemorative Mustang

[datguy]

My son just completed his 10th grade school year and his second year with the Air Force Junior ROTC program at school.  His two ROTC instructors are leaving their posts and will be succeeded by a new team.  The departing instructors are fine men and we wished to thank them for their genuine commitment to our son.  

The High School's sports teams are called the Mustangs and the ROTC unit's crest includes a P-51's profile.  An idea formed from this: I would make up a presentation kit for each of the instructors, customized with the school colors, etc.  

I picked up two Revell/Monogram P-51Ds from the local shop for this project. I build almost exclusively in 1/72 and have never built any of the classic Monogram 1/48 kits, but I can see why they have been so popular for so long.  Well designed, and well shaped, they build up simply and quickly.  Although somewhat dated by gimmicks like primitive removable gun bay and cowling hatches, raised panel lines, and raised copyright information on the undersurface of the tailplanes, they look like Mustangs and were perfect for the project at hand, which I had about two weeks to complete.  I built them completely OOB, using drybrush, wash, and highlighting techniques to emphasize detail in the wheel wells and cockpit.  

The key to the project was making custom decals.  I used the Testors decal maker set.  The custom markings include:

-Fuselage codes for Monticello High School (MHS),
-ROTC unit's designator to play the role of the serial number (VA-20023),
-Aircraft name (Miss Monticello),
-Rudder markings (Ferrari stallion),
-AFJROTC markings for the wings (in place of USAF),
-Unit crests for the fin

and the piece de resistance:

-The instructors' names for the canopy rails.

All colors are by PollyScale, and reflect the school colors of gold and black.  The base color is Aluminum; spinner, wing tips, rudder, and elevators are Chrome Yellow; and the antiglare panel and prop blades are Black.  I went with post-1947 national markings, which would also be a good match for painted aluminum instead of true natural metal finish

The completed models were placed on presentation/display bases made from picture frames. This was a very enjoyable project, with real meaning for me.  It pleased me that the completed models were very warmly received by the departing instructors.










 

[K5054NZ]

Way, way too cool! Dat, you really have excelled yourself with this.





Magnificent.


It's a shame we don't have a *standing ovation* smilie.





Speechless. Just. Plain. Wow. Fantastic mate.

[NARSES2]

Great models and what a tremndous idea

Chris

[Damian2]

The fantastitude of your models is right off the scale!!

A great jod done!!!

[Brian da Basher]

That's cool beyond words, datguy! I can see why they were so warmly recieved! I think these presentation Mustangs will be something those AFJROTC instructors will look upon with fond memories and pride for years to come.

Brian da Basher

[anthonyp]

Now those are really stunning!  Great idea behind them too!

   

[BlackOps]

Just straight up Classy!



Jeff G.

[Gary]

Kinda hard to, I dunno, I think I got sumthing in my eye.


What a beautiful idea.

[Captain Canada]

Great job, Goldmacher !

Love the way those Mustangs look, always have when they wear yellow....

A very nice idea as well !

 

[The Rat]

Said it before, and I'll say it again - the only way to improve on a great idea is to execute it well. You've done it!