Paper and Card Models: P51 Mustang from Paper-Replika.com

Next project the P51 Mustang from paper-replika.com. Thought this would be a challenge after the simplicity of the Stearman model - boy was I right!

I started by mounting all the fuselage parts onto 2mm greyboard.

I glued it all together with superglue for speed and strength.

I started to shape the skin parts over the fuselage frame.

I inserted a bamboo skewer through the fuselage to try and keep everything straight.

It was at this point I realised I could not keep the panels straight and the fuselage began twisting - so I put that one aside to use as my test bed.

So starting again I cut some fresh panels and used masking tape to butt the panels up tight together.

I then run a bead of thinned down PVA glue into the panel line to secure it together.

I knew the air intake would be a challenge...and it was!

I build a sub assembly jig out of the fuselage skeleton to form the centre section. It was easier to handle like this and if it went wrong I would only loose that piece rather than the whole fuselage.

Instead of using the whole skeleton I used pieces, such as the bulkheads - it was easier to control the shape this way.

Paints were mixed up to match the colors and the white exposed edges were touched in as I went along.

Fuselage sub assemblies coming together. I used glued in tabs extensively.

The main fuselage together. Once all those complex curves were done its time for the fun to begin.

Wings were pre-formed over the edge of my desk before rolling the leading edges over a tool.

Wheel well inserts were added before the wings were closed up. Note: I departed from the usual construction here and used the wing tabs to hold the front edge of the wing. I found this a more satisfactory way to hold the wing shape and would prevent the wing bursting open later.

For the prop spinner I cut disks to support the front and back of each piece, after crushing the first version!. Yellow paint was matched before each piece was glued together.

I cut the tires out of thick card using a compass cutter. Strength was added using super-glue. This has the added bonus of making the card sand-able - very useful for round shapes!

The prop finished with the blades. Note: the blades should have rounded tips - oops to late!

My greatest fear - the canopy - (which I should have made first) as this will make or break a P51!

I used a template to cut OHP transparent film. I made many copies and failed many times before I found a suitable copy.

After gluing the tires together, I was unhappy with the look, so I used DAS clay to fill the gap and shaped it with damp fingers. The result will look better when it is painted.

By now my enthusiasm was fading on this one so I needed some speedy cheats to spur me on. Making multiple munitions is soul destroying in paper (as are track links followed by wheels!). So I quickly added fins to some shaped bamboo skewers - ooh you cheat!