Blue Nose Birds of Bodney

Part VI

Eagle Strike Productions
 

Reviewed by Rodger Kelly

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

This is the final sheet in Eagle Strike Productions six-part coverage of the 352^nd Fighter Group – The Blue Nosed Bastards of Bodney.

IP4810 provides markings for two P-51Bs and a singe P-51D.  The individual aircraft and their markings are as follows: 

Captain Henry White's 'Dallas Darling', 43-6934, a P-51B-10, of the 328^th Fighter Squadron.  The machine is in olive drab over neutral grey with white theatre bands over the wings and horizontal stabilizers (not supplied) and the blue nose and spinner group marking.  The supplied markings consist:

• White PE squadron code and H individual aircraft code.

• Yellow 36934 aircraft serial for the fin and rudder (supplied as a one piece decal).

• A data block with the correct serial number (as are all of them on the sheet)

• Nose art in the form of a reclining bikini-clad girl on a white cloud and the name 'Dallas Darling' in yellow with a red outline.

• Pilot's and ground crew's names in white.

P-51B-10 42-106483, 'Miss Lace'; flown by Lieutenant Donald M^c Kibben from the 486^th Fighter Squadron.  The machine is in natural metal finish with black theatre bands over the wings and horizontal stabilisers (not supplied) and the remains of an olive drab anti-glare panel and the blue nose and spinner group marking.  The supplied markings comprise:

• Black squadron PZ codes and individual aircraft code letter Y.

• Black 2106483 aircraft serial for the fin and rudder, again, supplied as one piece decals.

• Nose art in the form of a reclining scantily clad woman in a red jacket, panties and high heels, and the name 'Miss Lace'. The name is supplied as two-part decals in red and blue (blue over the red) to counter any register problems.

• A data block.

The final option is 'Super Mouse'/Sweet Sue' 44-11626, an early P-51K-5 piloted by Lieutenant Robert W. Dodd of the 328^th Fighter Squadron.  This aircraft is in overall natural metal with the blue nose and spinner group marking and a red rudder.  The supplied markings enable you to depict the aircraft at various times during its life and the placement guide advises you of the variations. The supplied markings consist:

• Black PE squadron codes and individual aircraft letter Z.

• Black 411626 aircraft serial for the fin and rudder.

• Nose art, comprising a cartoon flying mouse carrying a bomb and a .50 Calibre machine gun on a yellow background.  The marking is supplied in the two different forms that the aircraft wore at different times, and the name Sweet Sue' in yellow with a red outline.

• Red dots for the rudder trim tab.  This marking is supplied as a silver decal with red spots to simulate the natural metal of the trim tab (saves masking!).

• Pilots name in white for the canopy rail.

• Aero Products propeller logos (two-piece decal).

• A data block.

• Five thin black lines for the upper surfaces of the wings.  Apparently these were aiming marks (for ground attack perhaps?) and applied to the aircraft with black tape.

The sheet incorporates a complete set of national insignia for each aircraft as well as 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 by Cartograf.  As with other Cartograf sheets, the printing is in perfect register and sharply printed.  Cartograf decals are not as easy to use as the ones from Microscale.  Use plenty of settling agent and lots of patience and you will get the same results though.  The decals and placement sheet come packed in a clear plastic zip-loc bag. 

The placement guide is A-4 in size and shows side profiles of each 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.  This sheet also includes an A-4 sized sheet printed on both sides that advises on the markings/colours of 'Super Mouse/Sweet Sue' and the life and times of its pilot, Lieutenant Robert (Bobby) W. Dodds. 

The recommended kits are the Tamiya P-51B and P-51D. 

Thoroughly recommended.