1:72 P-51D late 3D-Printed & coloured Interior on decal paper (Airfix)

The real subject

The D version of the Mustang is probably the best known form of this American fighter: the teardrop canopy and the cut-down rear fuselage gave the pilot all-round vision and at the same time exposed the whole cockpit to modelers. The machines changed gradually in the equipment of the crew station during production, which is why the manufacturer issues the interior in two variants. This item is aimed at the late form, while a separate set covers the early one.

What the set contains

A sheet of colored three-dimensional interior elements in 1:72 scale, made by 3D printing and carried on decal paper. The relief as well as the coloring are finished from the factory, so what comes out once they are applied is detail that in this scale takes great patience to reach with a brush. The elements are shaped for the P-51D kit from Airfix.

How to work with the elements

The elements of the QD series are applied like a decal. Cut the part out of the sheet, immerse it in lukewarm water for about fifteen seconds and then slide it off the backing paper into place. The element has no adhesive layer of its own: it holds most reliably on Future, Klear or Tamiya X-22 gloss varnish. On intricate surfaces a drop of cyanoacrylate glue helps. Do not use a decal softener or a decal fixer, as their chemistry attacks the printed resin.

• Paint the cockpit, let it dry perfectly and go over the surface with gloss varnish.
• Use lukewarm, clean water; a longer soak does the element no good.
• Move the elements with tweezers and lay them one at a time.
• Draw the surplus water off with a paper tissue and press the element down with a cotton swab so that it seats into the recesses too.

Who it is for

The set will please a modeler building a Mustang with the canopy slid back who wants the cockpit finished quickly and in a consistent color scheme. The extent of the set and where the elements go are given in the manufacturer's instructions. The package contains only the elements on the sheet; the kit, the paints and the glue are not included, unless stated otherwise.