Reviewed by Rodger Kelly
 

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FirstLook

An earlier sheet from the folks at Cutting Edge Modelworks.  Sheet CED48198 provides markings for four P-51D Mustangs of the 8th Air Force. 

First up is Colonel C. Kinnard Jrs "Man O'War" The placement sheet states that the markings depict the aircraft at the time he was the Officer Commanding, 355th Fighter Group based at Stepple Morden, UK in 1945.  

Finish is overall natural metal with a red spinner and forward fuselage as well as a red radio antenna mast and a stripe over the top of the engine cowling.  The upper surfaces of the fuselage and wings were painted in hard edged stripes of olive drab and the lower fuselage sport D-Day markings.  "Man O'War" also wears the European Theatre markings of chord-wise black stripes over the wings and horizontal stabilizers. 

Supplied markings consist of squadron codes; kill markings for the canopy rail, aircraft serial number, data block and the name "Man O'War".  The squadron codes are supplied as two different decals so as to avoid any register problems.  Should you want to avoid masking the olive drab stripes, Cutting Edge provides (separately) pre-cut painting masks under their Black Magic line (CEBM48535). 

Next is Lieutenant Joseph W. Mejaski's "Stinky" of the 369^th Fighter Squadron, 395th Fighter Group based at East Wretham, UK in March 1945. 

Finish is overall natural metal with a green spinner and nose and a red rudder.  "Stinky" also wears the black theatre markings on its wings and horizontal stabilizers. 

Supplied markings include the name "Stinky" in red with a black skunk, black squadron codes, serial and a data block.  There is also a further black block supplied for the fuselage side that bears the names of the aircraft's Crew Chief. 

Number three is Major Robin Old's "SCAT VII" a name that was to grace many of his aircraft including the F-4 he flew in Vietnam.  Be aware that this aircraft is not fitted with a fin strake so you will have to modify the kit you are building to replicate it. 

Finish is overall natural metal with a red rudder.  Markings consist of the name "SCAT VII" in orange, abbreviated serial number, data block, black squadron codes, a scoreboard and pilot/Crew Chief names for the canopy rail. 

The last aircraft is "HAPPY JACK'S GO BUGGY" which was flown by Captain Jack Ilfrey of 79th Fighter Squadron, 20th Fighter Group out of Kingscliffe, UK in 1944. 

Finish is overall natural metal with a black and white spinner and forward fuselage. The upper surfaces of the fuselage, fin cap, antenna mast, wings and horizontal stabilizer were painted olive drab.  The black theatre markings on the lower surfaces of the wings and horizontal stabilizers are also worn.  The notes on the supplementary sheet state that there is some doubt that the black stripe was re-painted over the olive drab. 

Supplied markings include the name HAPPY JACK'S GO BUGGY, Squadron codes, including the squadron marking of a black square for the fin/rudder, a scoreboard for the nose with a further one under the cockpit.  A Data block and a black square listing the pilot and all of the ground crew members complete the markings.  This aircraft also lacks a fin strake and the same modification requirements as "SCATT VII" apply here.  The name HAPPY JACK'S GO BUGGY is supplied as a single decal or as two separate ones to avoid any register problems between the red and yellow. 

The decals look very much like Microscale products.  Sufficient national insignia are supplied to produce two aircraft.   

The decal placement guide is Cutting Edge's regular high quality fare of an A-4 sized sheet with full colour illustrations.  As stated above, there is a further smaller sheet supplied and this gives notes on each aircraft and advises you of any modifications you need to make to accurately portray the aircraft you wish to model..  The sheet also provides a pretty exhaustive bibliography and a paint match list of olive drab to readily available model paints. 

The decals, placement guide and notes sheet are all packed in a clear plastic zip-loc bag.  The recommended kit is Tamiya. 

Recommended. 

If you are looking for inspiration or reference a great site for 8th Air Force Mustangs is Little Friends at http://www.littlefriends.co.uk/Sitemap.htm   It covers each of the fighter squadrons that made up the 8th Air Force.  It gives a very detailed history of each squadron and it also contains a wealth of images, many in colour.

Thanks to Cutting Edge Modelworks for the review samples..

Review Copyright © 2003 by Rodger Kelly
This Page Created on 03 June, 2003
Last updated 14 August, 2003

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