48-668 is the first sheet in a two-part coverage of the markings worn by P-51B, F-6C, P-51D and F6D Mustangs that operated in the skies of Southern Europe in WWII. 

Each sheet carries markings for four machines.  They are: 

P-51B 43-24816 Chappie/Dixie Mk X flown by Lieutenant Richard L. "Dixie" Alexander of the 2nd Fighter Squadron, 52nd Fighter Group.  The aircraft is in the overall natural metal/silver lacquer finish with an olive drab anti-glare panel, red spinner and yellow bands to the fuselage, wings and horizontal stabilisers (not supplied). The provided markings are: 

• QP squadron and individual aircraft A codes in red.
• Black 324816 serial number.
• The names Chappie and Dixie Mark X in black.  These are separate decals.
• A data block with the correct serial.
• A scoreboard comprising five swastikas on individual white backgrounds.

F-6C 42-103615, Shovelnose and Handlebar, assigned to by Lieutenant Edward J. Kennedy of the 12 Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 10th Reconnaissance Group during the final few months of the war.  The aircraft is in overall natural metal/silver lacquer finish with a black anti-glare panel, yellow spinner and black bands to the fuselage, wings and horizontal stabilisers (not supplied) as well as yellow and white checkerboard nose squadron markings and blue and white checkerboard tail group markings.   The provided markings are: 

• ZM squadron and individual aircraft E codes in black.
• Black 2103615 serial.
• Yellow and white checkerboard markings for the nose.  These are supplied in three parts to ease placement.
• Blue and white checkerboard markings for the tail.  These markings are supplied as either blue checkerboards that you can apply over a white painted tail or as a one-piece blue and white checkerboard.
• Nose art for consisting of a characterised head and shoulders of Bob Hope and the Names Shovelnose and Handlebar.  This marking was painted on the aircraft to commemorate a visit to the airfield (Furth) was stationed on by the entertainers Bob Hope and Jerry Cologna in June of 1945.
• Further nose art in the form of a small painting of a Vargas Girl.  This marking dates back to the previous "owner" of the machine Lieutenant Robert Hansen.

P-51D 44-13431, Little Eva III, flown by Lieutenant James S. "Sully" Varnell of the 2nd Fighter Squadron, 52nd Fighter Group.  This machine is also in overall natural metal/painted lacquer finish.  It sports a red nose and spinner as well as black edged yellow bands to the fuselage, wings and horizontal stabilisers. The provided markings are: 

• QP squadron and E individual aircraft codes in red.
• 413431 serial in black.
• The name Little Eva III in black.  This marking is applied in the unusual position over the individual aircraft letter E on both sides of the fin.
• A scoreboard comprising 17 swastikas on separate black rectangle backgrounds.
• The pilot's name and the names Dalebroux, Jones and Fleming (ground crew?) in red
• The blacked edged yellow bands.  The fuselage one is supplied in six parts to ease placement around the tail wheel well and doors.
• A stencil data block with the correct serial.

The final option is F-6D 44-14775 "Tampa Joe" as flown by Lieutenant Leo Elliott of the 12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 10th Photo Reconnaissance Group.  It wears the same finish and markings as the second option and its supplied markings are: 

• ZM squadron and individual aircraft F codes in black.
• 414775 serial in black.
• Yellow and white checkerboard markings for the nose.
• Blue and white checkerboard markings for the tail.  Same options as the second option.
• Nose art for consisting of a cartoon palm tree with two bikini clad attendants and the name "Tampa Joe".
• A stencil data block with the correct serial.

A single set of national insignia is and stencil data is supplied for the all options – read you can only build one machine from the sheet. 

The placement guide is A4 sized in size with full colour side profiles of each option and plan views of the wings only as well as a further set of side/plan views to aid in the placement of stencil data. 

The decals have been "Printed in Mexico".  They are very well printed, thin and in perfect register. 

The suggested kit is the "Tamiya P-51 Family" which leads me to the next point.  Only one option can be built straight from the box – the first one.  All of the others will require modification to correctly represent the aircraft.  Having said that though, the modifications are not all that onerous and can be achieved by using that old skill called "modelling". 

The decal sheet and placement guide come packed in a clear plastic zip-loc bag. 

Nice stuff from AeroMaster and they are to be commended for producing decals for aircraft that are not normally covered by other decal manufacturers. 

Recommended.

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 © 2005 by Rodger Kelly
This Page Created on 14 April, 2005
Last updated 13 April, 2005

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