1:72 North-American P-51B Mustang, Pt.1

Ten early Mustangs on one sheet

The sheet brings ten complete markings for P-51B fighters, that is, for the version that received the Packard Merlin engine and first turned the Mustang into a long-range escort. It was exactly these aircraft that escorted the bomber formations deep into Germany in the winter and spring of 1944. The B is recognized by its framed canopy, which limited the pilot's view to the rear and which some units therefore replaced with a bulged sliding hood.

The best-known item is aircraft 43-6315 of Major James H. Howard of the 356th Fighter Squadron, 354th Fighter Group. The sheet gives it in two states, as it looked shortly after the January combat over Oschersleben and as it looked later in May 1944, when Howard already held the rank of lieutenant colonel. He is usually named as the only fighter pilot in the European theater to receive the Medal of Honor in the Second World War.

Aircraft 42-106451 of Major George Preddy of the 487th Fighter Squadron, 352nd Group, and aircraft 43-24761 of Lieutenant Morehouse of the 375th Squadron, 361st Group, are also given in two states. The selection is completed by the Mustangs of Major Goodson of the 336th Squadron, 4th Group, Captain Stephens of the 355th Squadron, Lieutenant Asbury of the 382nd Squadron, 363rd Group, and Lieutenant Colonel Szaniawski of the 357th Squadron, 355th Group.

This is the first part of a series, so the scope is deliberately thematic. The sheet holds decals only, and the plastic kit needed is obtained separately. Before applying them, polish the surface to a gloss and treat them with a softener once dry, so that the decal settles into the panel lines.