Blue Nose Birds of Bodney

Part IV

Eagle Strike Productions
 

Reviewed by Rodger Kelly

Eagle Strike's 1/48 scale Blue Nose Birds of Bodney  Pt. IV
is available online from Squadron.com

Eagle Strike Productions continue their extensive coverage of the 352^nd Fighter Group – The Blue Nosed Bastards of Bodney - with this sheet which is part four in a series of six. 

IP4810 provides markings for three P-51Bs that, as far as I'm aware, have not been produced in decal form before. 

The first option is Colonel John C. Myer's "Lambie II', 42-106471, a P-51B-10, of the 487^th Fighter Squadron.  The machine is in overall natural metal with black theatre bands over the wings and horizontal stabilizers and the blue nose and spinner group marking.  The placement guide also advises that the leading edge gun panel may have been painted red as well.  The supplied markings consist:

• Black HO squadron code and M individual aircraft code.
• Black 42-106471 aircraft serial for the fin and rudder.  These are supplied as one piece decals.
• Red Maltese Cross 'kill markings'.
• A data block with the correct serial number (as are all of them on the sheet)
• A series of small red vertical stripes (21 of them) that are to be applied to the upper left hand side of the engine cowling.  I'm not sure what these markings are supposed to represent.
• The name 'Lambie II'.  This marking is supplied in two different forms as there is doubt as to the colouring of the original.
• Pilot's and Crew Chief's names in black.

Next up is P-51B-10 42-106472, 'The Flying Scot II/Vicious Vergie j.q of the 486^th Fighter Squadron.  Apparently this aircraft was flown by both Lieutenant Murdoch Cuningham and Lieutenant Carleton Furman.  It is in natural metal finish with D-Day stripes over the wings and fuselage with the blue nose and spinner group marking.  The supplied markings comprise: 

• Black squadron PZ codes and individual aircraft code letter D.  The squadron codes have been abbreviated as they were over painted by the D-Day markings.  The individual aircraft code letter D incorporates a dot to the right of it.  Whilst the D is shown on the placement guide the dot marking is not.  The left hand side D is incorporated into the 'Flying Scot II' marking to make it a one-piece decal.
• Black 42-106472 aircraft serial for the fin and rudder, again, supplied as one piece decals.
• A scoreboard consisting of three black Maltese Cross kill markings and 65 brooms to signify 'fighter sweeps' completed.
• The names 'The Flying Scot II' and 'Vicious Vergie j.q'   'The Flying Scot II' is for the left hand side and 'Vicious Vergie j.q' for the right hand side.  The names are supplied as two-part decals in red and black to counter any register problems.
• A data block.

The final option is 'Hot Stuff' 42-106661, a P-51B-10 piloted by Major William O. Jackson of the 486th Fighter Squadron.  This aircraft is in overall natural metal with black theatre bands on the wings and horizontal stabilizers and the blue nose and spinner group marking.  The supplied markings consist:

• Black PZ squadron codes and individual aircraft letter J.
• Black 42-106661 aircraft serial for the fin and rudder.
• The name 'Hot stuff' in yellow and white.
• Nose art in the form of a Vargas style girl.  This decal incorporates the data block, a single Maltese Cross kill marking and the names of the pilot and ground crew.

The sheet incorporates a complete set of national insignia for each aircraft and two very complete sets of stencil data.  These latter items appear to be reprints of the AeroMaster single stencil data sheets. 

The decals themselves have been 'Printed in the USA' but there is no hint as to the identity of the printer.  My bet is that it was Microscale.  If it wasn't then whoever was responsible has done a very good job as everything is in perfect register and is sharply printed.  The decals and placement sheet come packed in a clear plastic zip-loc bag. 

The placement guide is A-4 in size and shows left hand side profiles of each option as well as a scrap view of the right hand side of the nose of the second option.  The tops and bottoms of the wings are also shown as is a complete guide to stencil data placement which includes the propeller.  A short discourse on the 352^nd Fighter Group is also included.  It includes a discussion on the blue used for the nose markings and advises that the shades varied between medium blue for the P-51Bs and a darker blue for the P-51Ds.  The origins of the red and white barber's pole markings seen on the Groups aircraft are also explained. 

The recommended kit is the Tamiya P-51B. 

This is a very good sheet from Eagle Strike. 

Recommended.