The Tamiya P-51B kit using decals provided by Wellzy for Lt. Col. James Howard's aircraft 'Ding Hao'. Now this aircraft is pretty famous and I usually steer away from such subjects because they have been done many times by other modellers (as is the case with Ding Hao), but after reading the Medal of Honour report into Howards actions on 11th January 1944 I simply had to build it.
This is the citation and is worth a read:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy near Oschersleben, Germany, on 11 January 1944. On that day Col. Howard was the leader of a group of P51 aircraft providing support for a heavy bomber formation on a long-range mission deep in enemy territory. As Col. Howard's group met the bombers in the target area the bomber force was attacked by numerous enemy fighters. Col. Howard, with his group, and at once engaged the enemy and himself destroyed a German ME. 110. As a result of this attack Col. Howard lost contact with his group, and at once returned to the level of the bomber formation. He then saw that the bombers were being heavily attacked by enemy airplanes and that no other friendly fighters were at hand. While Col. Howard could have waited to attempt to assemble his group before engaging the enemy, he chose instead to attack single-handed a formation of more than 30 German airplanes. With utter disregard for his own safety he immediately pressed home determined attacks for some 30 minutes, during which time he destroyed 3 enemy airplanes and probably destroyed and damaged others. Toward the end of this engagement 3 of his guns went out of action and his fuel supply was becoming dangerously low. Despite these handicaps and the almost insuperable odds against him, Col. Howard continued his aggressive action in an attempt to protect the bombers from the numerous fighters. His skill, courage, and intrepidity on this occasion set an example of heroism which will be an inspiration to the U.S. Armed Forces.
I think that makes him worthy of my modelling respect!
Here are the obligatory shots of the kit I'll be using.
The markings I'll use. The machine is olive drab over neutral grey with white I.D. bands and nose. Should look fairly neat.
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