48-656 is the second sheet in a three-part coverage by AeroMaster of the 361st Fighter Group, the 'Yellow Jackets'. 

It provides markings for three P-51D aircraft.  The individual aircraft and their markings are as follows:

'Gay' Crusader' 44-15752, flown by Lieutenant Homer G. Power of the 376^th Fighter squadron.   The machine is in overall natural metal finish with 361^st's yellow nose and spinner group marking, 376th's yellow rudder, yellow wing tips, and black canopy frame and anti glare.  The supplied markings comprise: 

• Black E9 squadron code and P individual aircraft code. The underline to the P indicates that it is the second aircraft within the squadron wearing the code letter P.
• Black 415752 aircraft serial for the fin and rudder (supplied as one-piece decals).
• A data block with the correct serial number (as are all of them on the sheet)
• The name 'Gay' Crusader' in red.
• Nose art in the form of a black shield with white checkers and prancing horses (?)
• A scoreboard of three white outline Balkenkrauz for the canopy rail (left hand side).

'Pegasis' 44-14951, flown by Captain Walter J. Kozicki of the 376^th' Fighter Squadron.  The machine is in natural metal finish with the 361^st's yellow nose and spinner group marking and the 376^th's yellow rudder and yellow wing tips and canopy frame.  The supplied markings consist:

• Black squadron E9 codes and individual aircraft code letter P.
• 414951 aircraft serial for the fin and rudder (supplied as one-piece decals).
• The name 'Pegasis in red with a thin black outline.
• Nose art in the form of a cartoon Pegasus flying horse over three red lightning bolts and stars.
• A data block.

'LOU IV' 44-13410 flown by Lieutenant Colonel Thomas J. J. Christian the 361st's Commanding Officer.  The placement guide advises that this aircraft was this aircraft was "possibly the most controversial of all the Mustangs" AeroMaster believe that it was in overall natural metal with D-Day markings on the lower fuselage and bottoms of the wings (not supplied) with the rear part of the fuselage, horizontal and vertical stabilizers, and the tops of the wings in olive drab.  The supplied markings consist:

• Black E2squadron codes and individual aircraft letter C.  These markings have a thin yellow edging around them to simulate the natural metal of the fuselage (when the codes were masked off prior to the addition of the D-Day markings).
• Black 413410 aircraft serial for the fin and rudder (supplied as one-piece decals).
• The name 'LOU IV' in red with a thin black outline for the left hand side of the nose and 'ATHELENE' on a white background for the right hand side of the nose.  The latter marking is supplied as both in red and black – your choice!
• The data block.

Be aware that you will need to remove the fin strake should you opt to build this model.  There is an excellent article on modelling this machine by Tom Cleaver over at Scott Van Aken's Modeling Maddness that will guide you should you decide to dip your toe into controversy and choose this option.

http://modelingmadness.com/reviews/allies/us/cleaver51d.htm 

The sheet incorporates national insignia for each option (the 'LOU IV' option incorporates a silver surround for the fuselage ones) and two very complete sets of stencil data.  Two sets of black theatre bands are also supplied for the wings and horizontal stabilizers. These are not worn by any of the aircraft on this sheet and placement guide advises that they have been provided as a bonus. 

The decals themselves have been printed in Italy by Cartograf.  Everything is in perfect register and sharply printed.  My standard warning re Cartograf decals applies here - Cartograf decals will work!  Just be patient and apply heaps of settling solution.  The decals and placement sheet come packed in a clear plastic zip-loc bag. 

The placement guide is A-4 in size and shows left-hand side profiles of each option.  The tops and bottoms of the wings are also shown as is a complete guide to stencil data placement which includes the propeller.

The recommended kit is the Tamiya P-51D. 

This is another nice sheet from AeroMaster. 

Recommended.

Postscript 

If you want to know more about the 361^st Fighter Group, its men and its machines, head over to Little Friends at  http://www.littlefriends.co.uk/361stfg.jsp  It has some great reference shots as well as the histories of some of the aircraft featured in AeroMaster's trilogy of sheets covering the 361^st Fighter Group.

Thanks to AeroMaster / Eagle Strike Products for the review sets

On-line sales are available from the AeroMaster Products / Eagle Strike Productions web site.

Review TextCopyright © 2004 by Rodger Kelly
This Page Created on 24 July, 2004
Last updated 24 July, 2004

Back to HyperScale Main Page