Reviewed by Rodger Kelly
 

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Custom Aeronautical Miniatures (Cam Decals) continues their coverage of the P-51B Mustang in 1/24 scale with this sheet.  As with their other 1/24 scale sheets, markings are provided for a single aircraft only.

This sheet provides markings for the 'EAST SIDE RAT', a P-51B of the 38th Fighter Squadron, 55^th Fighter Group.  The aircraft was flown by a Cecil R Watts sometime in 1944.  No aircraft serial number or location is given but the as the aircraft wears D-Day markings it was probably at Wormingford in the UK. 

The aircraft is in overall natural metal with D-Day markings on the underside of the rear fuselage.  The upper rear end of the fuselage, fin and the upper half of the rudder, horizontal stabilizers and the anti-glare panel are in olive drab.  The fin/rudder also sports the 38th Fighter Squadron's white triangle identification marking.  The spinner and forward part of the nose are black which is unusual for a 55th fighter Group aircraft as they normally wore the Group's green and yellow chequers there.  The wings carry the black theatre bands worn by Mustangs in the European Theatre.  The markings consist of:

• Black stencil style CG-M squadron codes for the fuselage.

• The name 'EAST SIDE RAT' for the nose.  This marking is provided as a two part decal – yellow for the name and black for the shadowing.

• A set of national insignia.

• The white squadron identification triangles.

• A reasonably complete set of stencil data in black (with the exception of the red NO-STEP of the left hand side flap).  A notable item missing from the stencil data is the data block which contains the aircraft serial number.

The decal placement guide is by way of a single-sided A4 sized sheet that shows left and right hand side profiles as well as a complete top view of the aircraft with scrap views of the lower wings.  The header card has a colour left-hand side view. 

The decals themselves are printed by Microscale.  They are sharp, clear and in perfect register.  The decal sheets, header card and placement guide are all packed in a clear plastic zip-loc bag.

 Be aware that you cannot buy a 1/24 scale P-51B off the shelf today.  However, CAM Decals do produce 1/32 scale decals for the Rutman P-47N Thunderbolt conversion so perhaps Rutman also have a 1/24 scale P-51B in the works or we may see another manufacturer offer this subject in large scale in the future. 

Recommended. 

CAM Decals are available online from their website at http://www.camdecals.com and from Brookhurst Hobbies

CAM Decals 59 page 2002 color catalog of decals and resin parts is also
now available through the CAM Decals website

Review Copyright © 2003 by Rodger Kelly
This Page Created on 19 September, 2003
Last updated 18 September, 2003

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