P-51 rocket tubes in 1/32 scale?

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

Hi guys,

Does anyone know if there are any after-market P-51 rocket tubes available in 1/32 scale? Or perhaps I should ask first if they were widely used on P-51Ds. I’ve seen them on the earlier variants but I wasn’t sure about the -D model.

For that matter, are there any suitable ground crew members available in 1/32 for a diorama?

Thanks,

Eric

2

Are you talking about the 4.5 inch M110 tube launcher? At least that’s what is described and shown in a book I have; I’ve googled aircraft rocket launchers and closest I’ve come up with was described as the M8 launcher…

The M110 according to my book was a 3 tube, 4.5" launcher; but I googled it and only got hits for an M110 tracked howitzer thingy…

Anyhoo, here’s a pic of the launcher tubes mounted on a P-47…

And a brief Wiki on P-51’s with these launchers…

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Did_P51_Mustangs_fly_in_the_Pacific_with_wing_mounted_bazookas

Hope this helps, although there isn’t anything I’ve found giving spec’s as to tube length or whatnot; not even sure if they were widely used enough to warrant companies offering them as kits for aircraft, especially since the current 1/32 aircraft kits are slim. I’m also looking for decent resin 1/32 figs to go with my P-47, but only ones I’ve seen so far were from Ultracast, a somewhat generic pilot figure and a “Gabby” Gabresky figure…

3

Eric,

I think True Details made a set, but they may have been 1/48th. Squadron’s P-51D walkaround says they were used extensively in the ETO and CBI theaters. It also says the mounts were the same for all Mustang variants, so if you can find one in a smaller scale you should be able to scale it up and scratch it if no resin is available. Don’t know about the ground crew, you might have to search the figure catalogs in 54mm or see if there are suitable 1/35th figs you can modify.

4

Thanks guys,

The pic was great and, from seeing it and looking at the same item in 1/48 scale, I think I might try to scratch build them myself. I don’t think they’re overly complex so I think I might be able to construct a couple.

I wonder why they haven’t come out with a series of 1/32 ground crew yet especially considering the marked increase in the number of 1/32 planes that are out now. Maybe I’ll just finish up my plane now and then wait another five years or so when the market finally catches up. [:)]

Eric

5

Eric,

I made these rocket tubes for my 1/48 P-47D by using the Tamiya kt parts as a template. I used 1/8" brass tube and .40 brass wire on the top. I used Tamiya tape for all of the straps and bands holding the tubes together and .06 channel strip for the diagonal braces. In 1/48 the tubes are 2.5 inches in lenght so you will have to scale them up for 1/32. Hope these help!

Steve