With all apologies to the initiator of the Group Build of the same name from a couple of years ago and in no way related to that infamous “tourist” spot outside of Las Vegas, I offer for your consideration and advice the Mustang Ranch project.
2006 has been a great modeling year for me overall. But I have realized that in a way I have become too dependent upon Group Builds for my modelling impetus.
So, instead of my participation in any Group Builds in 2007 I have developed the following;
To build in 1/72 scale, preferably OOTB (but may change on a whim) at least one version of the Marvelous Mustang, of each variant.
Yes, the subject matter has been over done…like “beating a dead horse” (all pun intended). But I love that plane!
Here is the developed list (with kits);
P51A Italeri Possible CBI markings or Brit markings.
A36 MPM Operation Torch markings
P51B Hasegawa Malcolm Hood {if the A is not Brit then this one will be}
P51B ? “Birdcage” canopy in Tuskegee Airman markings with the first attempt at Alclad II
Was there or was there not a true P51C? Some of my sources indicate that they were simply a difference from the Inglewood CA to Dallas TX plants. As has been proven on the forums, reference sources are not infailable.
Does anyone have any idea as to where one could obtain the Cavalier COIN version or the kit conversion?
Would the collection be complete with just one WWII D model? Should both the ETO and PTO be represented?
I think you should not only build one model of each variant, but also one model for each USAAF group that used the Mustang… heck how about every squadron? [:P]
It’s your project, do what you like. Personally, I’d like to build at least one model representing every fighter squadron in the Eighth Air Force… although that includes more types than the P-51. Of course I can’t get started on that project until I build the entire AVG. And I can’t get started on that project until I clear off the bench and actually start building again…
Oh, and I’d be more than happy to discuss licensing arrangements for your use of the Mustang Ranch™ brand… er… name [;)]
the F82 twin mustang never saw service in WWII, only 20 of them were completed by VJday and they cancelled the contract after that, but a F 82 of the 68th Fighter (all weather) squadron, 8th F-B wing was credited with destroying the first enemy aircraft in that conflict. And as for the B and C version my books only say’s that they were similer but dosent say anything other than that (combat aircraft of WWII)
Anyway, I have heard that the 51B and 51C were the same except for the plant of manufacture. B at Inglewood, California and C at Dallas, Texas. I think that is odd, but I can’t find anything disputing that.
Cool idea! I’m sure that someday I’ll have enough 'Stangs to say
I’ve got my own Mustang ranch, because I seem to be addicted to
buying and building P-51s.
The P-51B and P-51C are indeed the same aircraft. There is no
recognizable difference between them (certainly not in 1/72 scale).
You should give consideration to making a P-51H. I’m currently
making the 1:48 version from classic airframes, and I think it’s a
really good kit. A quick search on google yielded this 1:72 model: http://sandlehobbies.com/plastickits/high_planes/72/72023.html
Lastly, for your D models, there are two reasons to build more than one:
(1) the early P-51’s did not have the tail “fillet” behind the canopy.
The lead aircraft is a P-51D-5NT, while the other aircraft are later
models (with the fillet on vertical stabilizer)
(2) While the P-51B and C were identical in appearance, there was
one noticeable difference between P-51D’s built in California and at
least some of the aircraft built in Dallas. Some of the Dallas-built
Mustangs were fitted with a slightly different shaped canopy
Sounds like a great project Joe. I embarked on a similar one a few years ago & still aint done.
A few suggestions, if I may. 1:The Academy P-51A is much nicer than the Italeri kit. The Italeri kit doesn’t even give you engraved frame lines for the canopy. 2: The Hasegawa P-51B is very inaccurate as it has the D wing. Better choice would be the Revell or Academy kits. 3: The only real difference between a B & C was where they were built. However, the late production Stangs had a small fin fillet installed at the factory. This is the only visual difference between the two & only the Accurate Miniatures 1/48 kit accurately depicts it.
True enough about the fillet… however, all three P-51Ds in this flight are P-51D-5-NAs, as shown by the serials visible in this photo:
The ship flown by Urban Drew (E2-S 44-13926) has had the fin retrofitted, as was a fairly common practice not only on block-5 'D’s, but on 'B’s and 'C’s as well. This is a prime example of why one should not attempt to ID the production block of a certain P-51D by its physical features. Always go with the serial number…
Another difference was that some P-51Ks left the Dallas factory with different props, but again these were often changed in the field and cannot always be used as a basis for production block ID.
There’s actually more to the canopy story… here’s a bit of info provided by a fella named Charles Neely on the old ‘MustangsMustangs’ forum…
[i]1. There are two, possibly three, distinct and identifiable “Dallas” type canopy shapes. These, as far as I know at present ,are also different than the two “official” “California” types.
“California” types are identified in original NAA drawings as the -2 type(early) and the -6 type. Profiles and cross sections are also quite different. Early is rather flat sided. Later -6 is full round when viewed from head on.
Basically, the -2 appeared only on the first -NA production block, and was often replaced on England based a/c, usually with a “Texas” type. Current speculation is that these were exchanged for the different cross section, which allowed greater head movent/visisblity. The -6 appeared with the second production batch and subsequent Inglewood built a/c. Again speculation, but photos suggest that there was a period where noticable variations in basic -6 profile was quite common. This also happens to coincide with rapid increase in D production. Late production seems to have stabalized with uniform canopy profiles.[/i]
And if you look closely at the photo above, the second ship, although from the same production block as the other two P-51Ds, has a slightly different canopy shape. Again, an example of the pitfalls of variant/block identification via physical features alone…
Rick, I am a bit stuck, budgetary restraints. How much of a chore would correcting the wing be, I wonder.
In regards to the K model the prop was a point of interest. Was this the “hollow” version? Bad vibration and performance at altitude problems and it was scrap metal.
Now what about that F82 and the PTO version?
Steve, I sincerely appreciate the encyclopedic degree of your narrative, keep it coming. But, is there any kit out there that is spot on? If there is I have not seen it or heard about it and could not afford it. Was the aerodynamic modification of filling certain wing panel joints caried out on B & C models? I have read that they were on the block 5 up until the Luftwaffe was knackered and the need for every ounce of performance was not as acute.
