1/48 Dragon Ta-152

[mustang1989]

1 hour ago, James2 said:

Nice weathering, funny how we seem to always say that about the decals!

I hear ya James and thanks man. I figured the decals would be a little easier........I figured wrong. lol 

fyi.......I painted the bands on when I built my A-8/R-2 10 years ago.

[Belugawrx]

Great looking bird there Joe!!

Paint work looks awesome (2thumsup)

[mustang1989]

On 3/11/2025 at 11:47 PM, Belugawrx said:

Great looking bird there Joe!!

Paint work looks awesome (2thumsup)

Thanks Bruce. The end.......is finally in sight. 

[mustang1989]

We're down to the short list of items that have to be done in wrapping this puppy up. She's now on her legs and I've got everything mocked up to make sure it's all going to fit and "work" the build. Prop and spinner as as well as the sliding glass section of the canopy are from the Zoukei-Mura kit. 
 

[David G.]

That's shaping up quite nicely Joe!

Seeing your work on this one almost makes me want to build another aircraft.

...almost.

...mmmm... Maybe just a small kit. 

Nothing too fancy. 

David G.

[mustang1989]

4 minutes ago, David G. said:

That's shaping up quite nicely Joe!

Seeing your work on this one almost makes me want to build another aircraft.

...almost.

...mmmm... Maybe just a small kit. 

Nothing too fancy. 

David G.

Man thank you for that comment Dave. If you want to build another aircraft and it be easy......think Tamiya P-51D Mustang.

[David G.]

On 3/15/2025 at 7:37 AM, mustang1989 said:

Man thank you for that comment Dave. If you want to build another aircraft and it be easy......think Tamiya P-51D Mustang.

I do like the Mustang, it's the first aircraft I build way back when. I brush painted a full OD camo job on it with the shark mouth. I was quite happy with how it turned out. Maybe it's time for another nostalgia build.

There's always room on the ceiling, right?  

The P-51 Mustangs always struck me as the "sports car" of that era's planes. Great looking machines.

David G.

[mustang1989]

I'm definitely looking forward to seeing you build another aircraft after watching that Black Widow come together as well as it did. 

This is where I'm at now. Got the landing gear completely finished up and currently installing the small tid bits like antennas and other small details on the bottom. This photo provides a good look at the aluminum and painted undersides with a subtle amount of weathering. Didn't want to kill it with the dirt and grime but wanted at least some leakage and wear and tear here. 

I also picked up an aircraft jig that has helped immensely, especially on final assembly items. One of the best purchases I've ever made in regard to modeling tools. 

[Codi]

Nice progress Joe.  This one is coming along well but I must admit, I would love to see you build the V-18 as well.  That is a fantastic looking bird and I'd take some "leeway" on her w/regards to paint scheme and decals.  Cheers, tim

[David G.]

Great looking weathering Joe! 

Thank for your kind comment. It may be a while before I get around to building another aircraft. With the truck and trailer I'm working on I'm feeling the urge to get back to working on something smaller with fewer wheels. Let alone something with wings.  

David G.

[mustang1989]

On 3/24/2025 at 4:51 PM, Codi said:

Nice progress Joe.  This one is coming along well but I must admit, I would love to see you build the V-18 as well.  That is a fantastic looking bird and I'd take some "leeway" on her w/regards to paint scheme and decals.  Cheers, tim

Thanks Tim! The V-18 has been on my bucket list for a LONG time and you're right.....as with most Luft '46 subjects....one can use quite a bit of an artistic license with them. 'Preciate you stoppin' in ol' buddy. 

On 3/25/2025 at 7:06 AM, David G. said:

Great looking weathering Joe! 

Thank for your kind comment. It may be a while before I get around to building another aircraft. With the truck and trailer I'm working on I'm feeling the urge to get back to working on something smaller with fewer wheels. Let alone something with wings.  

David G.

Thank you for your comment as well bro.

I'm gonna have to go check this latest build of yours out Dave. 

[AmericanMuscleFan]

Sorry to be so late to the party Joe, I'm always surprised to find you in a different category than the car category where I first met you.  Talent has no boundaries and you prove it well.  Airplanes are not in my usual element but I see that you are versatile and that it is the hobby itself that motivates you and no matter the subject you find satisfaction in it and that is what matters!  Everything I've seen on your WIP thread is of high quality and you have every right to be proud my friend! 👌

[mustang1989]

Always good to have you in any thread I've got going on Francis. Don't worry man......I'll be back to autos pretty soon and thank you for joining in and for the good comments pal. 

 

That jig I showed in the last update has sure helped things out a TON.......especially in the finishing stages.

I'm getting very close to having this one finished and will most likely finish this one up this month as I am spending a good amount of time at the bench these days to wrap everything up. I'm down to the short......SHORT list of around 7 or so items left. so this will be the last update until she's done gang.

Something that I was pretty happy with was the prop blades. It's the first time I've ever used the hairspray chipping/ wear method and I pulled it all off.

Disregard the lack of a radiator as the prop spinner will cover all of that up.

Edited Wednesday at 10:26 AM by mustang1989

[David G.]

This is shaping up to be quite an impressive warbird Joe. The weathering looks great!

David G.