Radiator
The rear radiator outlet is a very distinctive feature of the Mustang airframe. In an effort to allow the door to open and close, Dragon has created a hinge point in each fuselage half. This needs to be removed and filled using plastic card.
The radiator and housing is dry fitted to ensure a good shape. Note the white plastic card used to blank off the hole left by Dragon for the “hinge”
The door as supplied by Dragon is way over scale as the real door is nothing but sheet metal and hence very thin.
Initially I was going to scratchbuild a new door from sheet brass or copper, but when I looked at the kit part I thought it could be salvaged by careful thinning with a blade and sanding. Here we see the end result of that activity. I will need to add the actuating arm etc but that can wait for now.
Quickboost pylons
I intend to attach the metal (teardrop) drop tanks to the wing and would have lived with the shape of the pylons if I had not found that Quickboost did a far more accurate set. North American P-51D Mustang pylons