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[DazDaMan]

I'm going for this one...!

[TimJ]

I'll be joining in with an Italeri F-51D in Korean War USAF markings.

[iggie]

I'll be joining in with an Italeri F-51D in Korean War USAF markings.

Excellent! Great to have you with us!

[fredk]

The collective's opinion on this P51 please;

I took this photo in September '14. The commentary about this was that it had just emerged from an extensive refurbishment and painting in the markings it originally carried in WW2. The commentary didn't say where it served, just as 'late in WW2'.
Now, as we can see the stripes are totally wrong for both D-Day and for type ID visibility.

Accepted by the USAAF on December 21 1944 as 44-72035 she was originally earmarked for service with the Eighth Air Force in England but this was quickly changed to Project Number 91037R, indicating service in the Mediterranean Theatre of Operations. Having spent the Christmas and New Year period at Inglewood 44-72035 began her journey overseas on January 4 1945 with a ferry flight across the mainland USA arriving at Newark, New Jersey, on January 10. She was prepared for shipment, by boat, overseas and finally left the US on January 24 1945, assigned to "Oham" the codeword for the 15th Air Force based in Italy.

44-72035 was assigned to the 332nd Fighter Group. The 332nd became very famous as the first all African-American Fighter Group known as "The Tuskegee Airmen", although at the time they were referred to them as "The Red Tails". She entered combat with the 15th Air Force around March 1945, in the last few months of the war flying on bomber escort and ground attack sweeps over Germany, Austria and Czechoslovakia. She still carries the battle scars to this day, with bullet repairs in several places on the fuselage.

I've never come across these style of stripes before. Anyone know anything more?

[PaulBradley]

Not sure what group that tail marking represents, but the black and white stripes indicate a Pacific Theatre Mustang.

[iggie]

How are we all getting on? I've still to even start but the good news is that HMS Eskimo is finished and my Mustang entry is now on the bench at last.....work will commence shortly!
I hope everyone is doing well (most of the build threads suggest you are) and that we'll have a flurry of finishes during the forthcoming week!

[fredk]

I haven't touched mine for ages but I really do plan to get back on to it this evening, in a very short time from now.

[DazDaMan]

Well, I had fun building the Airfix Mustang. I may well have to get another one to join the collection!

[iggie]

Well, I had fun building the Airfix Mustang. I may well have to get another one to join the collection!

Well, I hate to say it......

But I told yo so!

Seriously though, I think whatever your general taste is in builds, there is something about the Airfix 'Stang that just makes it a joy to build

[DazDaMan]

Yep, definitely.

Now, I wonder if there's such a thing as a decal sheet for Empire of the Sun or Memphis Belle Mustangs?!

[iggie]

Well, we have ten completions from eight builders so far!
I'm struggling with mine for time mainly, I've just finished the busiest month I've had since becoming self employed 15 years ago......and sod's law dictates it coincides with my first GB as leader!

I'll try to finish it tomorrow; does anyone else want a couple of days extra to add some finishing touches?

[PaulBradley]

I am hoping to have both of mine completed by the end of the weekend.

[TobyC]

Just like to thank iggie for running this and well done to everyone who's taken part. Some cracking builds there.

[MarkyM607]

Yep, did enjoy this one, even building three kits!!. Got me into the Mustang wuite a bit now, bought three books on the P-51 and have three more kits in the loft so maybe three will become six....

[DazDaMan]

Yep, big thanks to iggie for running this one. I'll have to get another Airfix Mustang now!