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The Millie G and Snoot's Sniper - a pair of P-51's in 1/48


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Just completed a double build of a couple of Tamiya 1/48 P-51's.
For Lt. Francis W. Horne's mount, Snoot's Sniper, I used the kit (Cartograph) decals that came with the 'Blue Nose' special edition boxing. For The Millie G, flown by Major Edward Giller, I have used the Barracudacals decals for 44-14985, the first of the two Millie G's to appear in this colour scheme.
Construction is OOB, the seat belts are the kit decals on lead foil, the wings have been filled as per the factory and exhausts drilled out.
I used Modelmaster Buffable Aluminium applied with a brush for the bare aluminium, a mix of Alclad Aluminium/Dark Aluminium for the painted aluminium and Gunze H309 for the fuselage and empennage on The Millie G to match the nose checks.
First here is Snoot's Sniper as she appeared in August 1944 by which time only the under fuselage D-Day stripes remained - previously they had been applied to both lower and upper wings, and also the original canopy had by this time been replaced with a Malcolm Hood.
I have found a couple of colour photos on the net...I do not know who the original owner is as they have been copied many times:- all credit to whoever is deserving of it though.

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I have tried to replicate the same worn but not abused finish as seen in these pictures.

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And now The Millie G as she appeared in summer 1944 with only the under body invasion stripes remaining and before she had a rear view mirror added.
Again, I have managed to find a couple of reference photos on t'interweb, and all credits to whoever is due them.

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And now onto the pictures, and as with the Snoot's Sniper build I have tried to replicate the worn but not worn out look of an aircraft in the middle of a hectic operational schedule.

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Two thoroughly enjoyable builds, hope you enjoy the pics.
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Gosh I don't often get all gushy about models on this site but those really are very nice.

I think you've definitely managed to nail the look you were going for, and the attention to detail is very apparent. You've even done authentic wings. Bravo!

Al

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:gobsmacked: Those are absolutely superb ! you've got the weathering just right . . . none of this " Let's accentuate every panel " nonsense. I live not far from Wormingford, the home base of " The Millie G " and have always liked that colour scheme, in fact I built the same model a few years ago as " Miss Marilyn " your model, however knocks mine into a cocked hat ! :thumbsup::cheers:

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WOW! :goodjob:

They are great, love the weathering. Not too heavy but just right for working airframes, love the paint chiping on the markings and light airflow stains along the fuselage sides.

Very nice!

Any idea why the wheel hub was only 1/2 paint red?

Shaun.

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Love Mustangs and love yours.

As an aside, did you know that the real 'Millie G' still exists. Its on display as a gate guard at a Dominican AirForce base. After wartime use the airframe went to Sweden and eventually finally used by the said Air Force.

Edited by Paul J
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Wow, what a great pair of Mustangs. Excellent builds on the pair of them, great detail and wonderful weathering. I reckon you have got them spot on.

Sean

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