The third aircraft in my Mighty Mini P51 Mustang paper replacement or "skin" set is Bunny, a P51 that, when not flying, can be seen at the Palm Springs Air Museum. In 2012 the plane’s exterior was painted with the markings of the P-51 flown by Tuskegee Airman Lt. Col. Bob Friend.
Bunny resting at home
On February 28, 2015 “Bunny” was unveiled with several Tuskegee Airmen in attendance. These heroes signed the top of the left stabilizer something that is also reflected on the model.
I used a pic of their signatures (right) for the model.
It seemed like an appropriate month to release a Tuskegee Airman version as it is Black History Month. I also love the fact that this aircraft continued the tradition of having a pin up girl on the nose. This is one of the reasons I choose it over the CAF christened “Tuskegee Airmen” P51C. However it should not be a big deal to do it if anyone is interested.
The great thing is that you can go for a ride in in this great restored P51! Bunny is scheduled to be available for rides in the Spring of 2017.
It is advisable that you download the full plans and have them available for viewing before beginning your build. You will need them for reference as score lines are not on the skin kits. This is not a beginner build! You must be comfortable with the flite Test build method. I would also advise you build a mini P51 before attempting this. I learned much from my first build.
Since there is no real silver printing in CMYK, I did Bunny in a light grey. The up side is that the details really stand out!
Forgot to continue the red on the bottom of the fuse near the tail. This has been corrected on the file.
**Please read the Hints and Tips under the pics before printing and building!**
There will be two page sizes for you to print out. An 11X17 and an 8.5X11.
The 11X17 version has less tiled parts and makes for a quicker build. It’s six pages, over 57 meg and available here. Or cut and paste this:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/trugp3ii4p7wbtd/FT MM P51 Bunny 11X17.pdf?dl=0
The 8.5X11 version will be available later.
Let me know if you run into any issues with the files. I will also be "tweaking" them from time to time when I find issues but I don't intend to post for every tweak.
Hints and Tips
The next big thing will be who posts the first “Bunny” flight video! It won’t be me so good luck! Build, fly, and post lots of pics!
Bunny resting at home
On February 28, 2015 “Bunny” was unveiled with several Tuskegee Airmen in attendance. These heroes signed the top of the left stabilizer something that is also reflected on the model.
I used a pic of their signatures (right) for the model.
It seemed like an appropriate month to release a Tuskegee Airman version as it is Black History Month. I also love the fact that this aircraft continued the tradition of having a pin up girl on the nose. This is one of the reasons I choose it over the CAF christened “Tuskegee Airmen” P51C. However it should not be a big deal to do it if anyone is interested.
The great thing is that you can go for a ride in in this great restored P51! Bunny is scheduled to be available for rides in the Spring of 2017.
It is advisable that you download the full plans and have them available for viewing before beginning your build. You will need them for reference as score lines are not on the skin kits. This is not a beginner build! You must be comfortable with the flite Test build method. I would also advise you build a mini P51 before attempting this. I learned much from my first build.
Since there is no real silver printing in CMYK, I did Bunny in a light grey. The up side is that the details really stand out!
Forgot to continue the red on the bottom of the fuse near the tail. This has been corrected on the file.
**Please read the Hints and Tips under the pics before printing and building!**
There will be two page sizes for you to print out. An 11X17 and an 8.5X11.
The 11X17 version has less tiled parts and makes for a quicker build. It’s six pages, over 57 meg and available here. Or cut and paste this:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/trugp3ii4p7wbtd/FT MM P51 Bunny 11X17.pdf?dl=0
The 8.5X11 version will be available later.
Let me know if you run into any issues with the files. I will also be "tweaking" them from time to time when I find issues but I don't intend to post for every tweak.
Hints and Tips
- Printing - Please check your Print Dialog box and make sure that under "Page Size & Handling" that the "Actual size" button is checked and NOT the "Fit" button. If "Fit" was chosen it can result in smaller sized prints even when the correct paper size is selected. So far this one tip, if not done, has wasted more time and money than anything else!
- Again this is not a beginner build! You must be comfortable with the flite Test build method.
- It is advisable that you download the full plans and have them available for viewing before beginning your build. You will need them for reference as score lines are not on the skin kits.
- The extra turtle deck - It was the one piece I had the most issue with. The extra non-curved one was a last minute fail safe. In case something went wonky with a build, the builder would have this to use as a backup to custom cut.
- The horizontal stab - Do not cut out the tabs that engage the fuse on the top skin. It is unnecessary and will detract from the look.
- The Wing - I opted to just remove all the paper and only use the skins. I think after the spar is in it will be more than sufficiently strong. Take extra care in trimming the edges where the wing halves come together.
- The fuselage - Peel off the paper from just one side of the foam.
- When a piece has two sides covered with skins:
- Rough cut one side from the paper
- Take an appropriate sized section of foam and peal the paper from both sides
- Glue it to the foam
- Trim the foam to the skin (art)
- Trim the other side of the skin from the paper
- Carefully align the second side to the foam
- The bottom of the fuselage - Take extra care when gluing the two bottom sections into place. Panel lines should line up and the paper on the edges should be flush for a clean look.
- Sheeting - To keep the color between pieces the same I printed out everything on the same paper - 24lbs bond although 20lbs bond would work as well and save a little weight. For parts that require card stock, I just glue the printed paper skin to a black sheet of the same paper then cut the piece out.
- Sharpie Touch Ups - Use an appropriate color Sharpie for touch ups.
- Weathering Tip - Use a silver fine tip Sharpie to simulate paint chipping.
- Landing Gear - You have several options in the gear and bay area. As a belly lander, cut and glue part of the gear bay doors so it overlaps the wing and fuselage. For a mustang with gear down, cut and glue in the "open bay" graphic, Again overlap the wing and fuse. Use the remaining gear doors to make yourself some killer looking landing gear! Can't wait for someone to do this!
- Belly Landings - Protect you P51 doing belly landings so it stays awesome looking longer. Using packing tape on the undersides of the fuselage.
The next big thing will be who posts the first “Bunny” flight video! It won’t be me so good luck! Build, fly, and post lots of pics!
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