P-51B Mustang “Mighty Midget” – Nicolás Paredes Gallery

Not every good model is built right after opening the box. This Mustang from Nicolás in Chile had to wait for two years — but it was probably worth it.

Sometimes the most interesting part of modeling is not what someone built, but how they got there. This P-51B Mustang “Mighty Midget” is exactly that kind of story.

It was built by Nicolás Paredes from Chile — and what we really like here is that this is not a “display model made for publication”, but simply a very well-built Mustang, made for enjoyment, with good judgment and no exaggeration.

This model also had to wait a little for its moment. Nicolás won it in a modeling contest in Chile that we sponsored, but the kit then spent two years in storage before it finally reached the workbench. And maybe that was a good thing — because it clearly found the right moment.

“After two years, it was time to bring this beauty to life”

Nicolás sent us a very nice message about his build. And honestly, it captures the whole spirit of this model very well:

“Assembling this kit was truly wonderful; it has a spectacular fit and great details. I won this kit in a contest in Chile, which you sponsored. I wasn’t familiar with your brand until then. After two years in storage, it was time to bring this beauty to life.

The construction turned out to be easy, since you have taken care to develop models with excellent technology so that we modelers can enjoy every step while we are assembling them.

For painting the model, water-based acrylic paints from the Chilean brand K4 were used. These paints have excellent coverage and are specially designed for airbrushing. The metallic color used on this model was Mr. Hobby’s SM201 (Super Fine Silver 2), and a Japanese brand of decal fixative and softener was used.

The weathering was done entirely with AK Interactive watercolor pencils.

Finally, the entire model was sealed with Mr.Color GX113 flat varnish.

All that remains is to thank the entire Arma Hobby team for the great work and dedication they put into their models so that we can enjoy this wonderful hobby.”

Chile, K4, and a Mustang that simply looks right

There is one more very nice detail in this build: Nicolás used paints from the Chilean brand K4, which will probably be something quite unusual for most modelers in Europe.

And that is exactly what makes this build interesting — once again, it shows that a good result does not always have to come from using exactly the same products that everyone else shows online. If a paint works well, sprays well, and the modeler knows how to use it, the rest is really in the hands of the builder.

And here, it clearly worked. The olive drab camouflage looks very clean, the metallic areas create a nice contrast with the rest of the aircraft, and the whole model has exactly the kind of look a Mustang should have: operational, but not overdone.

A build that simply looks enjoyable

The work-in-progress photos show very clearly that Nicolás did not make this model “for show” — he really built it. There is the interior, there is the cockpit, there is the fuselage assembly stage, the first painting layers, the decals, and that very satisfying moment when a piece of plastic suddenly starts to look like a real aircraft.

That is probably one of the reasons why we like galleries like this so much. It is not only about the final result. It is also about the journey — that calm process in which the model slowly starts to come alive.

“Mighty Midget” is always a good choice

The choice of markings is also hard to argue with. “Mighty Midget” has everything a visually appealing Mustang should have: olive drab and gray camouflage, invasion stripes, large national markings, and distinctive nose art. It is one of those aircraft that simply looks good from every angle.

Nicolás also did not overdo the weathering — and that was a very good decision. The signs of use are there, the model does not look sterile, but it still remains coherent and believable. This is not a model that tries to prove how many techniques were used on it. And that is exactly why it works.

Thank you, Nicolás

We really like stories like this. A kit won in a contest. Two years of waiting. A brand that was unknown before. Chilean paints that most of us have probably never had in our hands. And in the end, a very successful Mustang that is simply enjoyable to look at.

Thank you, Nicolás, for sharing the photos and for this build.