Reviewed by Rodger Kelly
 

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FirstLook

Part 2 in Cutting Edge Modelworks' three-sheet coverage of the P-51-D Mustang provides markings for three UK based 8th Air Force machines. 

First is 'Miss Velma', 44-14561 as flown by Captain Frank Birtciels of the 343rd Fighter Squadron, 55th Fighter Group.  No date or location as to where the aircraft was based is given so it could have been either Wormingford or Nuthamstead.

The aircraft sports the distinctive finish of olive drab upper surfaces over natural metal lower surfaces worn by machines of the 343rd Fighter Squadron.  The spinner wears the green and yellow group colours (no FS match is offered) whilst the nose is adorned with a checkerboard, again in the group's green and yellow colours.  The rudder is yellow, the 343rd's squadron colour.   The supplied markings consist of:

• The checkerboard nose marking which is supplied as a two-part decal to ease placement woes.  Cutting Edge have supplied two blocks of green and yellow decal as 'spares' that you can use as patches should the need arise.

• 'Miss Velma' in green with a yellow shadow.  Two names are provided and the placement sheet advises that it was not known for sure if the name was carried on both sides of the nose.

• A red stripe to separate the upper surface olive drab from the natural metal lower surfaces.  The accepted thinking is that this stripe was yellow but the placement guide suggests that the reference photos used for this sheet clearly show it as the same shade as the red prancing stallion on the rudder.

• White CY-D squadron and individual aircraft code letters.

• The red prancing stallions for the rudder.

• Pilot's name in white for the nose.

• White theatre bands for the upper surfaces of the horizontal stabilizer.  The placement sheet advises that the horizontal stabilizer bands were worn above and below and show the lower ones to be in black but both sets on the sheet are in white.

Next is a 55th Fighter Squadron, 20th Fighter Group aircraft.  No serial is given and it was flown by a Lieutenant Walter 'Moon' Mullins who unfortunately met his death in the aircraft when it dove into the sea on 18 October 1944.  No location as to where the aircraft was based is advised but it was probably King's Cliffe. 

Finish is overall natural metal with a random spray of what appears to be olive drab over the upper surfaces of the wings, horizontal stabilizers and fuselage.  The 20th Fighter Group's colours of black and white are applied to the spinner and forward fuselage.

Supplied markings consist of:

• Black KI-S squadron/aircraft codes.

• Black triangle Squadron insignia with white S aircraft code for the tail.

• Nose art in the form of a spectacular flying nude (blonde of course!) that takes up pretty well the whole nose.

• The white band of the group marking (for the nose).

Note that this option does not have the fin-fillet worn by later block P-51s so you will have to modify your kit.

The final aircraft is DEVILESS 3RD, 441390 as flown by Major Niven K, Cranfill of the 369th Fighter Squadron 359th Fighter Group out of East Wretham in 1944.

Finish is overall natural metal with a green nose, a full set of D-Day markings and a red rudder.  No FS match is offered for either the green or the red.

Provided markings consist of:

• Nose art consisting of a dancing female wearing a red bikini top and gloves, as well as a black skirt.  The nose art is provided as a two-part decal with the red lettering of 'DEVILESS 3RD' being placed over a white background to give a slight 'shadow' effect.

• Black IV-N squadron and individual aircraft code.

• Black serial number for the fin/rudder.

• Black data block.

• Black block with the pilot and ground crew names in white.

Two sets of national insignia are provided.  One of the sets is destined for the last option and is 'greyed out'.  No stencil data is provided at all.  There is a spare data block provided (in black) with the serial 44-13549. 

Decal placement is guided by an A-4 sized sheet that shows left hand side profiles of each aircraft as well top and bottom views of the wings.  There is also a further smaller sheet that lists a bibliography as well as providing a set of instructions on how to apply the decals.  It also provides a cross match of FS 6473 (grey) to popular model paints – no, I don't know why either!  The decals, placement and note sheet are all packed in a clear plastic zip-loc bag. 

The decals themselves look as if they have been printed by Microscale – no problems here; they are all in perfect register with minimal decal film. 

A nice sheet from Cutting Edge Modelworks.  Especially welcome are the markings for the first option as you know have an alternative to 'Miss Marlyn' if you want to add a 343rd Fighter Squadron Mustang to your collection. 

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 05 September, 2003
Last updated 04 September, 2003

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