On Target Decals
Profiles  2

P-51 Mustang in Commonwealth Service
 

Model Alliance

Reviewed by Rodger Kelly

HyperScale is proudly sponsored by Squadron.com

MA48-602 from Model Alliance is the second part of the book/decal combination that comprises the On Target Profile number 2 covering the P-51 Mustang in Commonwealth service. 

The Profile book has been previously reviewed here on HyperScale and you can view it here:  http://misc.kitreview.com/bookreviews/avworkshopp51bookreviewrk_1.htm 

This sheet provides markings for seven aircraft. 

The individual options are: 

Mustang Mk 1 AG522 of 613 (City of Manchester) Squadron RAF based at Ringway, Manchester in 1942.  The aircraft is in the original US Du-Pont shades camouflage finish of dark earth and dark green upper surfaces over sky lower surfaces with a dark earth spinner and an 18" sky fuselage band.  The markings comprise:

• 40" Type B roundels for the upper wings, 32" Type C roundels for the under surfaces of the wings, 36" Type C1 roundels for the fuselage, and a 24" fin flash.
• Sky SY squadron and L individual aircraft code letters.
• AG522 serial number.
• 'Panda bear' personal insignia.

Mustang Mk 1 AG366 of 26 Squadron RAF, RAF Duxford, June 1942.  The aircraft is in the original US Du-Pont shades camouflage finish of dark earth and dark green upper surfaces over sky lower surfaces with a sky earth spinner and an 18" sky fuselage band.  The fuselage band is painted in MAP sky type S and the difference in the two shades is quite obvious.  The markings comprise: 

• 40"Type B roundels for the upper wings, 40" Type A roundels for the under surfaces of the wings, 30" Type A1 roundels for the fuselage, and a 24" fin flash.
• Sky RM squadron and T individual aircraft code letters.
• AG366 serial number.

Mustang Mk1 AG465 of 241 Squadron RAF.  Finish is the original US Du-Pont shades camouflage but it has the dark earth over painted with a 'mixed grey' and dark green upper surfaces over medium sea grey under surfaces and spinner, an 18" sky fuselage band and yellow bands over the wings.  The markings comprise:

• 40"Type B roundels for the upper wings, 32" Type C roundels for the under surfaces of the wings, 36" Type C1 roundels for the fuselage, and a 24" fin flash.
• Sky RZ squadron and W individual aircraft code letters.
• AG645 serial.
• White personal marking for the fuselage.

Mustang Mk III KH616 of 3 Squadron, RAAF, Italy 1944-45.  Camouflage scheme is the standard RAF temperate fighter scheme of dark green and ocean grey upper surfaces over medium sea grey under surfaces with an 18" sky rear fuselage band and yellow wing leading edges outboard of the gun ports.  It also sports a medium blue rudder and white theatre bands on the wings and horizontal stabilizers (not supplied as decals). 

Please note that the spinner is depicted as Blue in the profile, but the latest research suggests that it is actually Red in colour.

Markings comprise:

• 40"Type B roundels for the upper wings, 32" Type C roundels for the under surfaces of the wings, 36" Type C1 roundels for the fuselage, and a 24" fin flash.
• White CV squadron and J individual aircraft code letters in the correct, small style.
• KH616 serial.
• "Southern Cross" in white for the rudder.

Mustang Mk IV 9570 of 402 City of Winnipeg Auxiliary Fighter-Bomber Squadron, RCAF, Winnipeg, 1950.  The aircraft is in natural metal/painted aluminium finish with a black anti-glare, blue and yellow segmented spinner/back plate, blue wing tips and a blue and yellow striped rudder.  Markings comprise: 

• National insignia.
• 9570 serial.
• AC-S squadron/individual aircraft code letters in black.  These codes are applied to the upper and lower surfaces of the wings as well as the fuselage.  A further 'VC' is worn o the lower surface of the left wing.
• CITY of WINNIPEG SQDN. In white for the anti-glare (both sides).

You are on your own as far as the spinner and rudder markings, none are supplied. 

Mustang Mk IV NZ2406, Territorial Air Force RNZAF, early 1950s.  In natural metal/painted aluminium finish with black anti-glare.  Markings comprise: 

National insignia.  Two different types are worn on the aircraft.

Black NZ2406 serial.

Mustang Mk IV KM272 'Dooleybird', 19 Squadron, RAF, Peterhead, May 1945.  In natural metal/painted aluminium finish with blue and white striped spinner/back plate, blue and white chequered nose, and yellow canopy frame, edging to the olive drab anti-glare and leading edges to the wings (outboard of and including the gun ports).  The markings comprise:

• 40"Type C roundels for the upper wings, 32" Type C roundels for the under surfaces of the wings, 36" Type C1 roundels for the fuselage, and a 24" fin flash.
• Black QV – V squadron/individual aircraft codes.
• Black KM272 serial.
• Blue chequers for the nose (you will have to paint the white yourself).
• Red "Dooleybird" title.

A single set of type B, C, C1 and D national insignia are supplied.  The RCAF machine has its own complete set as does the RNZAF option. 

The decals themselves are all in perfect register are thin and have a glossy finish. 

The placement guide shows right hand side profiles for the first two options and left hand side profiles for the remainder.  Top and bottom plan views of each option are also provided.  The sheet is A-4 in size and in full colour. 

The decal sheet and placement guide are packed in a clear plastic zip-loc bag. 

Be aware that there are no existing kits for the first three options.  To replicate these you will need to modify an Accurate Miniatures kit with the Ultracast conversion – not an onerous conversion.  The RAAF option wears the dorsal strake so you will need to purchase an Accurate Miniatures P-51C kit or modify the Tamiya/ICM kits.   The final option wears louvred lower engine cowling covers.  You can find these in the IPMS Canada Sweating Beaver Decals 442Sqn Mustangs sheet. 

All up, a nice sheet. 

Recommended.

Thanks to Aviation Workshop / Model Alliance (UK)  for the preview images

Model Alliance products are available online from the Aviation Workshop.

Review Copyright © 2004 by Rodger Kelly
Page Created 12 January, 2004
Last updated 13 January, 2004

Back to HyperScale Main Page

Back to Reviews Page