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The "Fertile Myrtle" was flying into the 1980's in civil livery. Here is a photo of it when it was used by the Navy as a mothership for the D-558-2. clicky

BaHaHa as fruit juice spews all over the monitor

I stumbled across some great vintage Mustang photos. Scroll about half way down and note the photos that say ‘Red Devils’ Display Team, Las Vegas Air Force Base, 1949. I didn't know that the Air Force ever had a display team that flew Mustangs. Does anyone know anything more about this team and their aircraft? It would be great if we had photos that could be used for decals. Clicky

The USAF Museum P-51D is a former West Virginia ANG F-51D and still has the fixed tail wheel. Note tail wheel gear doors are gone as they were when it arrived at the museum in January 1957. I don't know either what steps were taken to fix the tailwheel. Fixed tail wheels show up on some Korean War vintage Mustangs. Removing the gear doors seems to have been part of the conversion. FYI, this restored ANG Mustang also has the square tipped Hamilton Standard prop that only shows up on very late war Mustangs. I have never seen one of these props on European theater WWII Mustang. clicky

You may have already read this pinned thread. clicky In a nutshell, wings primed and painted, other surfaces natural metal, some flight controls doped fabric. The only chrome shiny overall natural metal P-51D's are some of the warbirds.

Micrscale/Supercale sheet 72-149 had Philippine F-51D markings. It's out of production now.

Arii makes both a wheeled version and float version in 1/72. They are still readily available on eBay as well as other distributors. Minicraft makes a wheeled and float version in 1/48. Several different boxings including civil register, T-41 (Air Force) and Civil Air Patrol. I don't know about any other scales.

I checked the book Very Long Range P-51 Mustang Units of the Pacific War, Carl Molesworth, Osprey Publishing, 2006 and their is a photo "Drip & Dick" in formation with another 46th FS Mustang on page 78. Serial number is 44-63960 and squadron code number is 213. This aircaft has the twin "Uncle Dog" antennas on the spine and the VHF radio antenna below the fuselage just forward of the inboard gear doors. Sorry, I can't scan it from the book. You probably already saw the "hero shot" close up on the 7th Fighter Command site. Sorry, I don't have anything else on "Is This Trip Necessary.

The best collection of photos for the Iwo Mustangs is on the 7th Fighter Command Association site. I know there are some partial shots of "Drip & Dick" and "Is This Trip Necessary?" You might have to go through the photos in the gallery, which is actually pretty enjoyable. clicky Another site that is specific to the 506th Fighter Group is pretty good too. clicky I'll check the rest of my references when I get home, but I think everything I have came from these two sites. Tourist is a good reference on all this stuff as well.

I am also still here. Almost no modeling in the last eight weeks. My B-17B is basically ready for paint. I just read we have an extension. I appreciate having the opportunity to participate in this GB.

Is this the F-16 ADF two pack to which you are refering? Hasegawa 0913 F-16A ADF "Italian Air Force Special Combo" Clicky

This (RebelAlpha) dealer on eBay carries them. He may not have them all listed on eBay but he seems to carry all of them. I ordered the Operation i-Go (Solomons) sheet from him. Scott is an IPMS member from Souther California and great to deal with. clicky

I found this photo of a Texas ANG F-51D in 1955 while deployed to Costa Rica. Note the data block shows Air National Guard F-51D-25NT with the next line showing A.F. Serial No. 44-xxxxxx (I can't read it.) Clicky Here is another one, Wyoming ANG, circa 1948, so just a year after the Air Force became a separate service. Note the data block still lists U.S. Army with the next line showing A.A.F Serial No. 44-72806 Clicky

I have the Pavla set and it is very nice. Like F4HPhantom wrote in his original post, I don't need a correction set, I just need some better props. Pavla also offers another set, with fewer items. I have not been able to get either of the Pavla sets from dealers in the USA. I have ordered them from Hannants. clicky

Jorge, I understand completely. I too have looked for a prop upgrade for the Spitfire Mk. VIII or IX in 1/72 scale. I found this one by RedRoo Models of Australia. I haven't ordered one yet so can't comment. Perhaps some of the modelers down in OZ have seen it. Clicky

I also got to see a test shot of the new Mustang today in Salt Lake City. The photos we have seen from the trade shows don't do it justice. Absolutely beautiful. Don't worry about the rivets. They are very minimalist to borrow an art term. The shop that has the test shot (West Valley Hobbies) is getting a bunch of them and I am on the waiting list. I'm going to put my old Hasegawa up for sale on eBay.

The only kit I can think of off-hand is the Fine Molds 1/72 Bf 109K-4 Operation Bodenplate. Expensive, but very nice kit. Here's a linky. Clicky

I have done that too. I had another unbuilt kit of the same type so I took the lower wing off that kit, drilled out the holes and then used it as a template on the painted model. I used the template wing over the top of the finished model. Use a pin or something sharp to score the surface, then carefully drill out the holes on the painted model wing. Does that make sense? Worked for me, your mileage may very.

Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words... Clicky

Greetings mates, Looking for an MPM 1/72 P-35A. Can do PayPal and I'm located in Utah, USA. thanks!

Crikey, it appears that True Details has done some 1/32 napalm tanks. Korean War napalm tanks were made from WWII vintage 110 gallon very long range (VLR) tanks. If these are truly made to represent the 110 gallon tanks, they would work perfectly on the new Tamiya P-51D for a VLR fuel tank load. Anyone want to order a set and take a look-see? Clicky

Tourist, Your points are well taken. I should know never to use the word "ALL" in regards to any WWII aircraft configuration. Probably applies to modern aircraft too but especially during combat conditions. Here is a fairly well known photo of 46th FS Mustangs on Iwo Jima with Mt. Suribachi in the background. Neither of the Mustangs that are visible has received the "Uncle Dog" antennas on the spine. They don't have the IFF antenna's either. Also a very good chance they did not have the battery vent scoop either as the battery was probably still behind the seat. Closest Mustang

Against all temptation I have decided to hold off on the first release and wait to see if Tamiya does a Pacific theater very long range (VLR) boxing. My hope is that it will include all the special antennas, 110 gallon drops, etc., to make an Iwo Jima based VLR Mustang. Wishing, hoping...if not then I will either build them myself or bug one of the aftermarket guys to produce them. The 110 gallon tanks are now being made in 1/72, soon to be released in 1/48 and it would not be hard to scale them up to 1/32. I contacted one aftermarket decal maker about doing some 5th Air Force Mustang

Thanks for this info Tourist. Looking at photos of Iwo Jima based Mustangs, I noticed they ALL had the battery vent scoop on the left cowling. The 15th FG and 21st FG started receiving their P-51D-20NA Mustangs in January 1945. As you related here the -20 did not have the scoop when built. Clicky Clicky Last night I finally stumbled across some good information in the book Very Long Range P-51 Mustang Units of the Pacific War (Osprey). One of the maintenance guys talks about getting the new Mustangs and then moving the battery to the engine area to make room for IFF and other co