This is Tamiya's 1/72 P-51D, representing Capt. John England's
Missouri Armada of the 357th FG. With 17.5 confirmed kills, England was the group's second-highest scorer (behind Leonard 'Kit' Carson, and just ahead of Bud Anderson).
The kit was built entirely OOB, finished with Model Master enamels and a combination of Repli-Scale and Eagle Strike decals. The Repli-Scale kill markings lacked the correct red outline, so the scoreboard was cobbled from various Eagle Strike sheets (11 separate decals in all). The drop tanks are not the type typically used by the 357th, but I wanted to keep it OOB and these were the only ones provided in the kit.
And yes, I know... the tail serial is off by one digit (should be 414789); the large stenciled 'E' isn't quite accurate; the pilot's middle initial is missing on the canopy frame; and I didn't fill any of the wing panel lines (which I
will do on my next Mustang).
The little ground crewman sitting nearby is the work of my friend (and modeler extraordinaire) Lynn Rowley, who (IIRC) bashed a couple of Preiser figures to create it.
Thanks for looking.
Ed E.
