Shocking but True Revealation!

[dansls1]

Gil,
Could you possibly show the 2 areas you are comparing in 'same scale' 3-views for comparison? From the images you posted, it appears that the issue extends beyond the intake shape issue, but also shows variation in the bottom of the fuselage as well, but it could be the size and perspective fooling me.

[RyanShort]

Originally Posted by Bomarc

Gil, this should help:

The factory dwg at the bottom called out for the "smile" to be cast in magnesium (don't know about the modern day replacement in the top two pics), and they tended to take on a different patina than the various aluminum panels around it. The magnesium would turn a sort of flat warm gray color.

PM me, let's talk.

Mike

That is officially awesome! I've wondered a long time about where to find such a drawing! Do you have access to a Mustang I assume?

Ryan

[Stev0]

I find this rather disturbing in a card modeler related way. I was under the assumption that Halinski was one of the more accurate designers available. Just a quick breeze through their vanilla and finished models shows great care to detail.

[shrike]

Originally Posted by Bomarc

The factory dwg at the bottom called out for the "smile" to be cast in magnesium (don't know about the modern day replacement in the top two pics), and they tended to take on a different patina than the various aluminum panels around it. The magnesium would turn a sort of flat warm gray color.

PM me, let's talk.

Mike

A cast magnesium 'Smile' would have been painted immediately after finishing, as it oxidizes to a dark warmish grey very rapidly (hours) and has a propensity to start rotting away given the chance.
Rolled or extruded magnesium does the warm flat light grey thing and lasts longer.
(Old cast magnesium parts are an occasionally annoying part of my job)

[Bomarc]

Originally Posted by shrike

A cast magnesium 'Smile' would have been painted immediately after finishing, as it oxidizes to a dark warmish grey very rapidly (hours) and has a propensity to start rotting away given the chance.
Rolled or extruded magnesium does the warm flat light grey thing and lasts longer.
(Old cast magnesium parts are an occasionally annoying part of my job)

True enough Mark. Probably explains why a lot of post war P-51's had this part painted in a squadron color even when the whole nose section itself wasn't painted. Lots of Korean war Mustangs did that. That's why I suspect the new part above isn't magnesium.

Originally Posted by RyanShort

Do you have access to a Mustang I assume?

Never assume Ryan, you know that! But, in this case, your assumption is correct (factory drawings that is).

Mike

[DrLaser]

Looks like it's still a little off from the real thing, but very close.

[Willja67]

Gil is working on the nose/chin/induction intake, the picture you posted is of the belly scoop for the radiator and possibly the intercooler? as well.

[Gil]

The oil cooler is commonly referred to as the doghouse. Something I didn't know till yesterday . . . ,

I'm regrouping to consider how to deal with Halinski's version of a -D 10 model of the P-51. Have to ascertain surface deviation of the model from the real subject. +/- < 5% is within my annality limits (not a word yet but soon to be). The Halinski design has too many goodies to easily abandon. Just getting it all to fit together is what worries me.

+Gil

[Kaz]

If it's any use to you, heres my shot of the plane

[Gil]

Thanks Kaz. One can never have enough photographs of the subject. I've been working from them for the last couple of nights with the aid of some ancient NAA loft plots. Seems the plots of the D series never made it into microfiche and have gone missing.

The following is the interim nose skin. The right most former is equal to the same position Halinski former. I haven't examined the rest of the fuselage yet but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will come close enough not to warrant a redesign.

+Gil