Is this the last sheet in AeroMaster's marathon five sheet coverage of the yellow-nosed Mustangs of the 361st Fighter Group - the 'Yellow Jackets'?  We will have to wait and see. 

48-693 provides markings for three machines, two P-51Ds and a single P-51B.  The individual aircraft and their markings are as follows:

'Tika IV', 44-13357, an early P-51D (minus the fin fillet), flown by Lieutenant Vern Richards 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 markings and insignia blue fin, rudder tips, horizontal stabilizer and wing tips.  D-Day markings are carried on the lower fuselage and the undersides of the wings. The supplied markings comprise:

• Black B7 squadron code and R individual aircraft code.
• Black 413357aircraft serial for the fin and rudder (supplied as a one-piece decal as are all of the aircraft serials on the sheet).
• A data block with the correct serial number (as are all of them on the sheet)
• The name 'Tika IV', in white on an insignia blue arrow.
• A scoreboard consisting of six 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.
• Pilot, Crew Chief and ground crew names in white on a black rectangular background.

'Suzy-G', P-51B 42-106811 flown by Lieutenant Francis Gleker of the 375^th' Fighter Squadron in July of 1944.  The machine is in natural metal/silver lacquer finish with the 361^st's yellow nose and spinner group markings.  D-Day markings were carried on the lower fuselage and the bottoms of the wings.  The D-Day markings on the upper surfaces of the fuselage and wings have been over painted in olive drab.  The supplied markings consist of: 

• Black squadron E2 codes and individual aircraft code letter H.  The underscoring to the letter H indicates that it is the second machine in the squadron carrying the letter H.  The letter H incorporates a silver surround to simulate the masking tape used on the original machine when the codes were masked off prior to the application of the D-Day markings.
• 2106811 aircraft serial for the fin and rudder.
• The name 'Suzy–G', in white on a red rectangle background.
• A data block.

The last option is 'Sky Bouncer', 44-13626, another early P-51D minus the fin fillet.  The machine was flown by Captain Bruce Rowlett of the 375^th' Fighter Squadron in July of 1944.  The aircraft is in natural metal/silver lacquer finish with the 361^st's yellow nose, and spinner group markings.  The wingtips and gun panels are painted yellow as well.  Black theatre bands are carried on the lower surfaces of the horizontal stabilizers and D-Day markings are painted on the lower fuselage and the bottoms of the wings.  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 quite extensive and it includes the entire upper surfaces as well as the canopy frame.  The supplied markings comprise: 

• Black squadron E2 codes and individual aircraft code letter A.
• 413568 aircraft serial for the fin and rudder.
• The name 'Sky Bouncer' in medium blue (or red) on a white, medium blue (or red) edged chevron shaped background.  AeroMaster has provided the name in both blue and red as there is debate as to which is correct.
• A data block.
• A set of "greyed out" national insignia.
• A set of black theatre bands for the horizontal stabilizers.

The sheet incorporates three sets of national insignia as well as the "greyed out" set for 'Sky Bouncer'.  Two of the sets incorporate a silver surround for the fuselage insignia.  Two very complete sets of stencil data are also included. 

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. 

A nice sheet from AeroMaster.  It provides interesting markings and is value for money as it gives complete markings for three machines as well as comprehensive 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 23 February, 2005
Last updated 23 February, 2005

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