48-708 is the second 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 a further four machines.  They are: 

P-6C 43-25162 Hotshot flown by Lieutenant William R. "Bob" Gardner of the 12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 10th Reconnaissance Group. The aircraft is in overall natural metal/silver lacquer finish with an olive drab anti-glare panel, a 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 U codes in black.

• Black 325162 serial number.

• Nose art in the form of a cartoon "Hotshot Charlie" from the cartoon strip Terry and the pilots with the name Hot Shot in red with a white border. .

• A data block with the correct serial.

• A single black swastika kill marking.

• Yellow and white checkerboard markings for the nose.  These are supplied in three parts to ease placement – as are all of the checkerboard markings on the sheet.

• 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 – again all three options that wear this marking are provided with the same choice.

F-6C 42-103368 assigned to by Captain John H. Hoefker of the 15 Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 10th Reconnaissance Group. The aircraft is in overall natural metal/silver lacquer finish with an olive drab anti-glare panel, black spinner and nose and black bands to the fuselage, wings and horizontal stabilisers (not supplied).  The machine also wears the remains of D-Day markings to the sides and underside of the fuselage.  The provided markings are: 

• 5M squadron and individual aircraft G codes in black.

• Black 2103368 serial.

• A scoreboard comprising five red Balkenkrauz.

• A further scoreboard consisting of 26 red symbols (cameras?)

F-6D 44-14735, Pride of the Blue Grass, flown by Lieutenant John R. "Red" or "Ace" Ellis 12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 10th Photo Reconnaissance Group.  It wears the same finish and markings as the first option and its supplied markings are: 

• ZM squadron and D individual aircraft codes in black.

• 414735 serial in black.

• A scoreboard comprising two Balkenkrauz on separate red rectangle backgrounds.

• A stencil data block with the correct serial.

• Yellow and white checkerboard markings for the nose.

• Blue and white checkerboard markings for the tail.

The last option is F-6D 44-14675 as flown by Lieutenant Leland A. "Lee" Larson of the 15th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 10th Photo Reconnaissance Group.  It is in overall natural metal/painted lacquer finish and its supplied markings are: 

• 5M squadron and individual aircraft F codes in black.

• 414675 serial in black.

• A scoreboard consisting of six Balkenkrauz.

• Blue and white checkerboard markings for the nose.

• Blue and white checkerboard markings for the tail.

• 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 one pair of wings 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. 

As with the Part I of this series, the suggested kit is the "Tamiya P-51 Family".  Be aware that only one option can be built straight from the box – the second 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. 

The same comments apply to this sheet as did the first one - 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 17 April, 2005
Last updated 16 April, 2005

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