2 x P-51D Mustangs - 457thFS 506th FG Iwo Jima June 1945

[dewobz]

I'm building 2 x P-51D Mustangs simultaneously, one a commission as 457th FS, 506th FG # 542 "Fighting Lady" including Eduard cockpit detail and True Details wheels

02-DSCN2239 by Wally Hicks, on Flickr

and the other for me OOB using the remaining decals as #528 "The Enchantress"

01-DSCN2238 by Wally Hicks, on Flickr

These aircraft, based at North Field on Iwo at the end of WW2, used late-war 110gal 'teardrop' drop tanks the same shape as the 75gal ones only larger.

07-DSCN2244 by Wally Hicks, on Flickr

These are not available as aftermarket accessories so I am appealing here if anyone has teardrop shaped drop tanks from either Monogram's F-80 or Trumpeter's Sea Fury FBII, both of which are serviceable or adaptable injection molded versions? I can replace the (apparently incorrect) Trumpeter ones with Barracuda resin corrected drop tanks if required.
Sure hope someone can help?
Onwards with the build, which kinda messes up the work bench, 2 of everything to keep track of -

21-DSCN2259 by Wally Hicks, on Flickr

My attempt at woodgrain cockpit floor, this the OOB version with some scratch decals added -

27-DSCN2265 by Wally Hicks, on Flickr

The Eduard IP for "Fighting Lady" is decidedly more accurate, with extra cockpit details too -

22-DSCN2260 by Wally Hicks, on Flickr

I also scratch detailed and decaled my cockpit but it's hard to match the Eduard version with accurate electrics and placards -

23-DSCN2261 by Wally Hicks, on Flickr

It's real nice once it's all in place -

41-DSCN2279 by Wally Hicks, on Flickr

37-DSCN2275 by Wally Hicks, on Flickr

38-DSCN2276 by Wally Hicks, on Flickr

And the fuselages are together -

44-DSCN2282 by Wally Hicks, on Flickr

To be continued ...
Please email me or PM me if you have suitable drop tanks.
Thanks
Wally.

[dewobz]

While I'm tidying up loose ends this morning, here's some finished pics of my two 'gals' from the 457thFS, 506th FG, Iwo Jima, June 1945. #528 "The Enchantress" flown by 2nd Lt William E Saks, was one of 24 aircraft which failed to return from the VLR escort "weather mission" of 1 June 1945, later called "Black Friday"

DSCN2496 by Wally Hicks, on Flickr

DSCN2493 by Wally Hicks, on Flickr

DSCN2497 by Wally Hicks, on Flickr

DSCN2501 by Wally Hicks, on Flickr

Mustang #542 "Fighting Lady" piloted by Lt Ralph S Gardner, shot down a Japanese aircraft over Honshu during the VLR escort mission against Tokyo on 10 June 1945 -

DSCN2481 by Wally Hicks, on Flickr

DSCN2484 by Wally Hicks, on Flickr

DSCN2482 by Wally Hicks, on Flickr

The aircraft carries the larger 110gallon 'teardrop' underwing drop tanks, used, (as far as I can tell) only by Mustangs in the Pacific towards the end of the war.

DSCN2487 by Wally Hicks, on Flickr

DSCN2503 by Wally Hicks, on Flickr

DSCN2502 by Wally Hicks, on Flickr

Thanks for looking in
Cheers
Wally.
PS - the twin wooden antennas are AN/ARA-8 homing adapter of "Uncle Dog" air-to-ground homing system and both aircraft carry antenna array for AN/APS-13 radio set on both sides of the fin

DSCN2492 by Wally Hicks, on Flickr

[Dave Homewood]

Great stuff Wally.

[Mustang51]

Very Nice indeed !

[kiwiduster1]

Lovley work there wally ! Cheers

[flyjoe180]

Nice build Wally