Sheet 48092 continues Eagle Strike Productions' coverage of the 325th Fighter Group – the 'Checkertail Clan'.  The sheet provides markings for three different Mustangs.

The individual aircraft and their markings are:

'Little Bastard', P-51C 42-103562, flown by Varner A. Woodman.  The machine is in natural metal/painted aluminium finish with an olive drab anti-glare, red nose and spinner, and the 325th Fighter Group's yellow and black chequerboard fin/rudders and horizontal stabilizers/elevators.  The supplied markings comprise:

• The name 'Little Bastard' in black.

• Stencil data block with the correct serial number.

• Three German balkenkreuz 'kill' markings.

• Black '48' plane-in-squadron number.

• Checkerboard markings for the fin, rudder and horizontal stabilizers.  These markings are supplied as the black portion only so you will have to paint the yellow portion yourself.  The rudder markings for this option are faded as the rudder on the one-to-one scale 'Little Bastard' wore a replacement rudder with faded markings.  The fin portion of the markings is supplied as separate left and right hand side decals with darker black chequers.  The horizontal stabilizer markings are supplied as one-piece upper and lower surface decals.

'Devastating Dottie/Lady Janie VIII', P-51D 44-13322, flown by John Simmons.  The machine is in natural metal/painted aluminium finish with an olive drab anti-glare, red nose and spinner and yellow and black chequerboard markings.  The Markings comprise: 

• The names 'Devastating Dottie' (in black) for the left hand side of the nose and 'Lady Janie VIII' in red for the right hand side of the nose.  Two of the latter decal or provided in case the first one is too transparent.

• Stencil data block with the correct serial number.

• A black block with thin yellow outline.  The block contains the names of the pilot and ground crew in white.

• Six German balkenkreuz 'kill' markings.

• Black '27' plane-in-squadron number with a thin red outline.

• Checkerboard markings for the fin, rudder and horizontal stabilizers.  This time, the fin and rudder is supplied as a single design.

• Yellow stripes for the outer wings.  These markings are supplied as separate upper surface and lower surface decals.

'Mary Nell', P-51D 44-14440, flown by William A. Taylor.  The machine is in natural metal/painted aluminium finish with an olive drab anti-glare, red nose, spinner and wing tips as well as yellow and black chequerboard markings.  The markings comprise:

• The name 'Mary Nell' in black for the nose.

• Stencil data block with the correct serial number.

• Black '22' plane-in-squadron number with a thin red outline.

• Yellow theatre band stripes for the wings.  This last marking is supplied as a two-part marking for the upper surface of the wings so that you can apply a separate decal to the dropped flap of the Tamiya kit.  The lower surface one is in four parts to accommodate the undercarriage door as well as the dropped flap.

• Yellow stripes for the outer wings.

A single set of chequerboard markings is supplied, (with the addition of the fin and the faded rudder decals for the first option) a single set of yellow theatre band and yellow wing markings are supplied.  There are also two complete sets of national insignia and stencil data provided. 

The larger main sheet has been 'Printed in USA' and the smaller sheet 'in Mexico'.  No problems here, everything is in perfect register, thinly printed and with a minimum of carrier film. 

The placement guide is A-4 in size and shows full colour left hand side profiles of each option as well as split upper and lower surface plan views.  The stencil data placement guide has its own drawings.  The guide also contains pertinent notes on how P-51s were painted as well as a 'Trivia Factor' section that advises on the fin fillet worn by the –D as well as notes on how the 325th Fighter Group overcame jammed guns. 

The decals sheets and placement guide come packed in a clear plastic zip-loc bag.  The recommended kits are the Tamiya ones. 

Be aware that the –D options on this sheet do not have the fin fillet so you will have to modify the kit that you intend using – not an onerous modification. 

All up, a nice sheet from Eagle Strike. 

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 Text Copyright © 2004 by Rodger Kelly
This Page Created on 30 January, 2004
Last updated 29 January, 2004

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