Just when you thought it was all over and AeroMaster could not possibly find any more markings for yellow-nosed Mustangs of the 361st Fighter Group - the 'Yellow Jackets' -they have gone and found enough for two more sheets! 

48-692 provides markings for four machines, three P-51Ds and a P-51B.  The individual aircraft and their markings are as follows:

'Ferocious Frankie', 44-13704, an early P-51D (minus the fin fillet), flown by Lieutenant Colonel W (Wallace) C. Hopkins of the 374^th Fighter squadron.   The machine is in overall natural metal/silver lacquer finish with 361^st's yellow nose and spinner group marking.  D-Day markings are applied to the lower fuselage and the undersides of the wings.  The upper surface D-Day markings on the fuselage and wings have been over painted in olive drab. The supplied markings comprise: 

• Black B7 squadron code and H individual aircraft code. (the underscoring to the H indicated that it was the second machine in the squadron wearing the letter H)

• Black 413704 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 'Ferocious Frankie', in black.

• A scoreboard consisting of five Nazi flags for the left hand side of the canopy rail.  This marking is provided both as a one-piece and a separate two part decal to counter any register problem.

'Sweet Thing II' 44-13626, another early P-51D minus the fin fillet (pilot unknown) of the 374^th' Fighter Squadron in the summer of 1944.  The machine is in natural metal/silver lacquer finish with the 361^st's yellow nose, gun panels and spinner group markings and black theatre bands on the under surfaces of the horizontal stabilisers.  D-Day markings are painted on the lower fuselage and the bottoms of the wings.  As with the previous machine, the D-Day markings on the upper surfaces of the fuselage and wings have been over painted in olive drab.  The use of olive drab paint to the upper surface of the fuselage is extensive and it includes the horizontal stabilizers too.  The supplied markings consist: 

• Black squadron B7 codes and individual aircraft code letter M.

• 413626 aircraft serial for the fin and rudder.

• The name 'Sweet Thing II' in black.  The name is on a yellow background that you will have to paint yourself.

• A data block.

P-51-D 44-13926 flown by Lieutenant Urban Drew of the 357^th Fighter Squadron in July of 1944.  The machine is in overall natural metal/silver lacquer finish with D-Day markings on the lower fuselage and bottoms of the wings.  Black theatre bands were worn on the under surfaces of the horizontal stabilisers. The entire upper surfaces of the wings, fuselage and canopy frame were in olive drab.  Yellow group markings were worn on the nose, spinner and gun panels.  The supplied markings comprise:

• Black E2squadron codes and individual aircraft letter S.  The appropriate codes incorporate a silver edge to their tops.

• Black 413926 aircraft serial for the fin and rudder.

• The data block.

The final option is 'Bald Eagle' P-51B 42-106839 flown by Lieutenant Robert Eckfeldt of the 374^th' Fighter Squadron in the fall of 1944.  The machine is in natural metal/silver lacquer finish with the 361^st's yellow nose and spinner group markings as well as yellow an blue striped wing tips, rudder trim tab and the lower part of the upper engine cowling.  The machine also sports black theatre bands around the horizontal stabilisers and D-Day markings on the lower fuselage and the bottoms of the wings.  As with the other machines the D-Day markings on the upper surfaces of the fuselage and wings have been over painted in olive drab.  The supplied markings comprise: 

• Black squadron B7 codes and individual aircraft code letter E.  As with the previous option, the appropriate codes incorporate a silver edge to their tops.

• 2106839 aircraft serial for the fin and rudder.

• The name 'Bald Eagle' in both black and red and black.  There is doubt whether this marking was in red or black so AeroMaster has hedged their bets and provided both.

• A data block.

• Pilot, Crew chief and ground crew names in black on a silver background.

• A score board comprising eight Nazi flags.  Again, provided both as a one-piece and a separate two part decal to counter any register problem.

The sheet incorporates national insignia for each option and incorporates a silver surround for the fuselage and the set for Urban Drew's E2-S and two very complete sets of stencil data.  Two complete sets of black theatre bands are also supplied for the horizontal stabilizers even though you will not need all of them. 

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 decals themselves have been "printed in Mexico".  Everything is in perfect register and sharply printed.  The decals and placement sheet come packed in a clear plastic zip-loc bag. 

The recommended kits are the Tamiya P-51D and P-51B.  Be aware that you need to modify the P-51D kit to model the first two options on this sheet.  Not an onerous task but if you are afraid of goofing it, the guys at Ultracast provide a resin replacement tail to complete the conversion. 

Another nice sheet from AeroMaster.  It provides interesting markings and is value for money as it gives complete markings for three machines (four if you find yourself another set of national insignia) as well as stencil data. 

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 © 2005 by Rodger Kelly
This Page Created on 19 February, 2005
Last updated 19 February, 2005

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