1:72 North-American P-51B/P-51C Mustang wheel-bay plugs

Peewit 1:72 Mustang P-51B/P-51C - wheel-bay plugs

This is neither a kit nor a resin part that would stay in the model. It is a masking set: the shaped plugs are inserted into the open wheel bays of the wing and taken out again after spraying. The set is cut to the shape of the bays of the Mustang in the P-51B and P-51C versions in 1:72 scale.

Why this suits the Mustang in particular

The wheel bays of the P-51B and P-51C are large and open in the wing and have a different shade from the outer skin. When a model is sprayed, mist from the paint gets into them over the edge even when the modeler holds the airbrush at an angle, and an oversprayed bay is hard to put right, because a brush does not reach into it comfortably. A plug solves this problem once and for all: it fills the volume of the bay, holds by its shape alone and so does away with sticking pieces of masking tape into corners where it would not hold anyway.

How to work with them

Spray the bays first and let the paint cure completely; only then insert the plugs, otherwise a fresh coat can be marked. Push a plug in so that it lines up with the outline of the wing; if it protrudes, a step is formed at the edge and the paint creeps underneath. Before taking it out, let the outer coat set so that the edge does not break away, and pull the plug straight out rather than sideways. You will use the same set when spraying the clear coat under the decals and the matte coat at the end.

Who the set is for

• Modelers building the Mustang P-51B or P-51C in 1:72 scale
• Those who spray with an airbrush and want a clean transition at the edge of a bay
• Builders who do not fancy sticking small pieces of tape into the corners of bays
• Anyone who finishes a model in several layers of clear coat

This is a masking accessory. The kit, paints and glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.