ColFord

Information about Tamiya News is available online via the Tamiya website, Japanese language publication for the Japanese domestic market. Translation via Google indicates an article giving an in depth view of P-51A and its characteristics compared to its more well known P-51D family member. Full content of the publication is not provided online. https://www.tamiya.com/japan/products/65601/index.html Yes, there are pitfalls in using some of the currently airworthy and restored P-51 warbirds in the USA given the nature of their restoration and modification over the years, especially "Polar Bear" which in recent years went through further changes in a major rebuild to bring it back visually to something closer to a P-51A, but still a bit of a mish-mash in the detail eg has a P-51D style undercarriage operating system which is different to that on the earlier Allison Mustangs. It did race in a pseudo early NA-73/XP-51 Mustang scheme at Reno in 2017 under the name "Shanty Irish".

If Tamiya do a North American P-51A in 1/48th or 1/32nd that will be an interesting development. My only hope is that if they do a P-51A, then they may eventually do a RAF specification Mustang Mk.I and a P-51/Mustang Mk.IA to do the early Mustangs proper justice. Tamiya considering the early Mustangs could be a counter to Eduard's plans for 1/48th scale P-51D Mustang market saturation with their planned releases over the next couple of years. But then again like many Tamiya rumours, I will believe it when I see it actually produced in plastic and on the local hobby shop shelves (or the internet shop equivalent). UPDATE: There is in Tamiya News #601 photos of P-51As associated with a mention in that newsletter about Tamiya researchers recently visiting a P-51A (or more than one) for measurement purposes in the USA on a recent research trip.

Go back to my post #15 on the first page of this thread, the aircraft Prendergast shot down the FW-190s in was not NH902.

It is getting closer. Airfix have put out the "arriving soon and last chance to pre-order" email and Eduard in a recent FB post have shown work on their aftermarket items for this model. Having pre-ordered late last year, I am happy to see that the release is getting closer. Will be interesting to see what we get from Barracuda Studios, if much like their Spitfire PR.XIX items, should be some good enhancements to the basic kit mouldings if required.

Release date drawing closer, due for release this month and Airfix have used the kit boxart as their March 2019 Calendar Wallpaper. https://www.airfix.com/uk-en/downloads/view/index/cat/39/ Now just the wait for the emails to advise that the kits have been received and pre-orders are being sent out.

Hi Michael, There are more photos of RAF Mustangs with the Starkey markings, by my latest count with these two six photos of varying quality, not all of them have been 'shared' or published widely. The photo of FD546 'G' which was the subject of my Britmodeller build post a while back comes from an original photo in a pilot's log book that I had access to. Yes, unfortunately model build photos gone in the PhotoBucket money grab purge and damned if I can quickly find the originals to repost via another photo host. However, a copy of that original photo was provided to Chris Thomas and appeared along with a profile illustration he prepared in Volume 4 of 2TAF.

Air Classics Quarterly Review, Volume 2, Number 1, Spring 1975. Title on cover is "Military Mustangs A Sword Through Freedom's Enemies. (A couple of copies listed for sale on a well known online site, both in the USA, prices vary) The two photos that appeared of Mustangs with Starkey markings I am reliably informed by someone who has researched their origins, have also appeared in another publication and are of (top) a Mustang Mk.I of No.IV(AC) Squadron RAF and (bottom) a Mustang Mk.IA of No.170 Squadron RAF, both taken at RAF Odiham on 9 September 1943. No definitive identification of the serial number for either.

AND........that's why I will be waiting until the Royal Edition of the Eduard Tempest kit to get mine! So yes, you better get cracking! Now if Eduard would just hurry up and give us a Tempest II and Tempest VI so I can get on with a couple of other interesting post-War aircraft I have in mind.

Airfix have sent out a notification email and also posted on their Facebook page that stock of their 1/48 N.A. Mustang Mk.IV/P-51K is now in stock with pre-orders now being sent out and stock sent to retailers. a05137_p51d-mustang_box-front_web by Colin Ford, on Flickr

For those with sharp eyes and a reasonable level of knowledge of P-51Ds, the 3D renders provided by Airfix of their future release of a fillet-less P-51D-5 show that they have changed the radio equipment under the canopy to more accurately reflect that carried in the earlier P-51Ds. Shows that they listened and paid notice to some people who know P-51s.

Airfix have via their Facebook page, shown the box art for this new release. This also confirms the second c&m scheme to be included with this initial release. Airfix SPitfire FR.XIVe Box Art by Colin Ford, on Flickr Spitfire FR.XIVe NH902 'Lazy Lady V', S/L Prendergast No.414 RCAF Squadron, mid 1945. The box artwork is fictitious, S/L Prendergast scored his two destroyed FW-190s on 2 May 1945 over Wismar Harbour whilst flying NH896. NH648 which was 'Lazy Lady IV' was damaged by flak on 29 April 1945, so was out of action at that time. NH902 which became the replacement for NH648 for S/L Prendergast did not receive the 'Lazy Lady V' nose art until after VE-Day. The Squadron codes also did not return to No.414 RCAF Squadron's Spitfires until after VE-Day. There are photos and profile artwork of NH648 'Lazy Lady IV' and NH902 'Lazy Lady V' in Volume 4 of 2TAF by Shores & Thomas, details of the aircraft and air combat claims in Volume 3. They also take a different view on the prop spinner colour. I have a number of this kit on pre-order and am looking forward to completing them in a range of late WW2 and immediate post-War 2TAF/BAFO Tac/R Squadron schemes. A Spitfire FR.18 of No.208 Squadron, in Egypt in 1949 is also under consideration as a later project. I think from the comments already floating around we will probably see an enhancement set or two coming from Barracuda - similar to what they did for the Spitfire PR.XIX - and likely a few sheets of aftermarket decal options from the usual suspects.

The Model Maker decals are designed to go with the recently published book out of the Stratus Publications stable of Polish Wings #23 - '303 Squadron North American Mustang' by Steve Brooking, Wojtek Matusiak and Piotr Sikora, with profile artwork by John Melson. The book includes a lot of previously unpublished photos of Mustangs that were operated by No.303 Squadron and covers literally all the Mustang Mk.IVs operated by the Squadron. The reversed 'mirror image' KM112 serial is supported by photos and is the result of most likely a "lost in translation" moment for the Polish groundcrew when the instructions for the painting of the large underwing serials post-war, were misinterpreted on this particular Mustang. Regards,

I'll add my hopes for Airfix 2019-2020 releases (anticipating that some announcements for 2019 will get delayed in development and/or production and flow into 2020). Any, some, all from the following suggestions, no particular order other than what I thought of. 1/48th Supermarine Spitfire FR.XIVe lowback - numerous decal options and fills a gap in the Airfix 1/48th Spitfire lineup. Also able to be reworked with some smart tooling as the Spitfire FR.XVIII. 1/48th B.P. Defiant Mk.I - ASR and TT re-release with small sprue with appropriate conversion parts and new decals. 1/48th B.P Defiant Mk.II - build on success of the Mk.I release 1/48th Hawker Hunter FR.10 - variant release based on the 2018 Hunter F.6 1/48th N.A. Mustang P-51B/C - Mk.III - accurate kit of this Mustang that was well used by RAF and Allied Air Forces. Lots of re-issue and variant options. 1/48th Hawker Hurricane Mk.IIc - lots of possibilities here with sub-variant and decal re-releases. 1/48th Hawker Typhoon - take all their research and work, fill the gap between their 1/72 and 1/24 offerings, in particular give options for the various sub-types and modification states, including 3 & 4 blade props, standard and Tempest tail planes, late production tropical air filter, full range of things under wings - long range tanks, bomb, rockets, napalm tanks - again lots of good schemes for re-releases. 1/48th N.A. Mustang Mk.I - certainly not produced by anyone as an 'out of the box' kit and a type used by the RAF in front line service from 1942 until 1945. With a new set of wings and some other minor parts, able to be reissued as the Mustang Mk.IA/P-51. Lots of potential schemes for re-issues. 1/48th Fairey Battle - significant early WW2 RAF operational type and then long service in training/support roles - potential for TT variant. Lastly, 1/48th Supermarine Spitfire PR.XI - a big gap as an 'out of the box' product as a mainstream injected plastic kit. A couple still flying and another due to return to the skies in the next year or so. Number of interesting marking options of wartime and post-War users. Oh I will add in, re-release of the 1/72nd Valiant, and a new state of the art tool 1/72nd Vulcan, to add to the Victor. Okay, that probably is more like a potential list for the next 5 to 10 years for Airfix, and is in a scale my aging eyes and ever increasingly less nimble fingers can still deal with. Happy for Airfix to downscale to 1/72nd where appropriate for those who are still capable of working in that scale. We can only hope.

I would certainly be happy to see Airfix release in 1/48th scale a Supermarine Spitfire XIV 'hi back' as well as a Supermarine Spitfire XIV/XVIII 'low back' which would fill a gap in late War and immediate post-War RAF fighter types. One option they may have is to fill the gap between their 1/72nd and 1/24th Hawker Typhoons, making good use of all their research and producing a 1/48th scale version - which would be appropriate given the project to get a Typhoon back in the air by the early 2020s. Yes Hasegawa does make one already, but try and find one at a good price. Plus Airfix could make to the same (or better) standard as their recent kits and at a lower price point and it would likely be a very good seller. Options in underwing bombs and rockets, three or four bladed propeller, various radiator intake dust filters including the later tropical filter, Typhoon and Tempest tailplanes, car door and bubble top, so plenty of build options. Then an accurate series of early Allison Mustangs, especially the Mark 1 which the RAF was the primary user and had for the one basic mark and set of airframes a comparatively long wartime service life, and I would be one happy modeller. I am sure that whatever Airfix comes up with in their 2018 releases, I will see a couple of their trademark red boxes added to my stash with kits I will need to build.

I would support Jerry's suggestion that if you can, get yourself a copy of Tom Ivie's book "Patton's Eyes in the Sky" as scattered throughout its pages are photos and diagrams that will answer your questions on this specific modelling subject - it includes photos of your two potential subject F3-As plus diagrams and some photos of the Edgerton Lamp and camera installations - plus colour side profiles of your two potential subjects. It will also give you a heap of inspiration for a range of other ETO USAAF recce types. Some basic info tho, Edgerton lamp is in forward lower fuselage, just behind cockpit, cameras installed in tail, operational and armed turret. Checking AbeBooks which is my usual go to for old out of print books, looks to be a few good condition used copies available through booksellers in the US, reasonable prices. Tom Ivie has also done a couple of other books focussed on specific USAAF Tac/R units in the ETO in WW2. Regards,

A typical wartime newsreel designed for the population at home in Canada. It features footage that I can identify from a whole range of footage that originally came from that taken by a number of newsreel companies. As a start there is footage originally taken by British Pathe, Movietone News, Paramount News, Air Ministry Photographic Unit cameramen, RAF Photographic Unit, and others. Some of it appeared also in the RAF service newsreels "The Gen". The low flying Mustang Mk.1s shown at about the 1 minute 20 second mark shooting up trucks and buses at very low level was filmed at RAF Snailwell on 20 November 1942 and involved aircraft of No.268 Squadron RAF. If you are looking for similar, but maybe more consistent footage of Mustangs strafing trains, check the British Pathe website for "Train Busting Mustangs" and the DVD set from the IWM of the RAF Wartime newsreels "The Gen". Again these use footage from different units taken on different dates spliced together to present the required storyline. Regards,

To add to the data taken directly from the original NAA Technical documentation, diagrams showing key dimensions and fuselage reference line for: P-51 / Mustang Mk.IA P51 Dimensions by Colin Ford, on Flickr A-36 A36 Dimensions by Colin Ford, on Flickr P-51A / Mustang Mk.II P51A Dimensions by Colin Ford, on Flickr P-51B/C - Mustang Mk.III P51B:C Dimensions by Colin Ford, on Flickr A bit more to add to the discussion is that when you look at the part or component or design numbers for the components of the main fuselage group, that is the fuselage section shown in the earlier diagrams from firewall back to tail, the majority still reflect the original Mustang Mk.I design on thru the P-51, P-51A and A-36. The P-51B/C still has a large number of components and design elements, a very high percentage, that still reflect the original Mustang Mk.I design in the main fuselage group. A lot of the changes in part/component/design numbers is reflected in smaller components or implementation of design changes to accommodate later ancilliary equipment or improvements arising from in service use. A number of the changes in the P-51B/C in the main fuselage group is in the modifications to accommodate the change in wing position, the different radiator/cooling arrangements - which includes the 'joggle' and relocation of ancillary equipment brought about by the change in engine and in service use.

And diagrams from the NAA Technical Manuals showing key dimensions and weights, including the diameters of the propeller spinner for the Allison engined versions and the P-51B/C Merlin engined versions. Merlin engined was bigger. P51 Dimensions by Colin Ford, on Flickr P51 BC Dimensions by Colin Ford, on Flickr I have yet to find the appropriate diagrams in the relevant NAA technical manuals, to be able to identify if there has been any change in the quoted thrust line from the fuselage datum line between the Allison engined Mustangs and the Merlin engined P-51B/C. My search continues.

Gingerbob, There is nothing in the Pilot's Notes/Manuals, Erection & Maintenance Manuals or Parts Lists on an air filter in the carburettor air intake trunking before the A-36 or P-51A. If there was the addition of a fixed (removable) filter, in the NA-83 or NA91 series, it also does not show up in the list of modifications incorporated into the versions of the documentation that I have. I'll have a look through the list of RAF Mods and NAA TOs covering the mods that may not have been picked up in the primary documentation to see if I can find a reference. (Update - on checking RAF list of Modifications by type, only modification listed for the Mk.1 and Mk.1A is for improvements to the ice guard for the carburettor intake. Update 2 - checking further documentation the addition of a filter to what could be a similar basic carburettor air intake design running from the NA-83, thru the NA-91 to the A-36 is highly probable. Interesting thing is that the Maintenance Manuals NA-83 & NA-91 do not cover the requirement to inspect and change a filter - if fitted - before what is contained in the A-36 Maintenance Manual. Ditto the earlier manuals do not cover or show the baffle which is replaced by the filter if fitted in the parts diagrams. So certainly (pardon the unintended pun) baffling and worthy of further digging.) Diagram of the carburettor air intake for the A-36 shown below. Note, does not have the top intake door as on the P-51A intake. A36 Air Duct Diagram by Colin Ford, on Flickr

The earlier questions on differences between the early Allison Mustangs used by the RAF, primarily the Mustang Mk.I, Mustang Mk.IA and Mustang Mk.II, prompted me to go back over some of the technical manuals for the early Mustangs to try and find a couple of diagrams that might help illustrate some of the differences. Mustang Mk.I - representative of early AG series. Note on the port wing the wing tip assembly, the opening for the gun camera and the servicing hatch in the top of that assembly for the gun camera - to get access to the camera and film magazine. On the subsequent batches of Mustang Mk.Is - AL, AM and AP, the gun camera moved to a location under the nose of the aircraft, between the 'cheek' guns and the opening and hatch in the port wingtip assembly was deleted. Mustang Mk1 Major Assembly by Colin Ford, on Flickr Mustang Mk.IA - representative of all the FD series P51 Mustang Mk1A Major Assembly by Colin Ford, on Flickr In these two diagrams above, in particular note the components of the underslung radiator assembly, including the two forward parts which included the movable intake ramp. Mustang Mk.II - representative of all the FR series, with the option of replacing the framed canopy with the Malcolm Hood assembly. A36 P51A Mustang Major Assembly by Colin Ford, on Flickr Again, note differences in the underslung radiator assembly, especially the radiator intake assembly. Illustration of the inside of the carburettor intake trunking that forms to top of the engine cowling on the Mustang Mk.I and Mk.IA. Mustang Mk1 Upper Cowling by Colin Ford, on Flickr Note the basic straight sided shape of the internal trunking, which was reflected in the exterior shape of the cowling. Diagram of the P-51A intake trunking and filter arrangement, which was the same as that on the A-36, which included the addition of the filter assembly and the mid-intake opening. It was the addition of this filter, the opening and associated mechanical controls that required the change in the intake trunking shape to that with the 'bulge' about mid way along the top of the cowl, along with the location for the mid-intake opening. P51A Air Scoop & Filter by Colin Ford, on Flickr Lastly diagram from the P-51A E&M manual, showing the parts numbers for the cowlings around the engine and front fuselage of the P-51A/Mustang Mk.II. Note how all the cowling numbers, except those for the top cowling incorporating the carburettor air intake and the two 'cheek' panels which had the removal of the 'cheek' guns from the Mustang Mk.I, all have '73' prefix numbers, which relate to the original NA-73 designation for the first batch of Mustang Mk.Is. So the design of those panels has not changed from that of the original production batch of Mustangs. The top panel has an 83 series prefix, whilst the two cheek panels have a 91 series prefix, indicating changes from the later Mustang Mk.I and Mk.IA series aircraft. P51A Engine Panels by Colin Ford, on Flickr Lastly, "The Book" is coming, a little more patience is required, but it is getting close to finalisation and publication. Hope the above is of interest to those who have followed this thread.

Hi Alan, Re 225 Squadron and a photo of a Mustang with WU codes over Britain, the Squadron had equipped like most of the other Army Co-operation Command Squadrons with Mustangs in mid-1942, in that case Mustang Mk.1 aircraft. So a photo from that timeframe whilst they were equipped with the Mustang Mk.I, they were still in the UK, and before ACC dropped the use of the Squadron code letters on their aircraft in late 1942, gives a very narrow 'window' and a photo that would be fairly rare. That was before they moved to the Middle East in late 1942/early 1943 and were re-equipped with initially with Hurricanes and Spitfires. Improvements, Ultracast early Mustang seat with harness 48014, Ultracast flared/fishtail exhausts 48070 or 48071, Ultracast early narrow prop blades 48243, and don't forget to add the armour plate behind the pilot's seat, the kit does not include it. (Red Roo carry a range of Ultracast items in Oz, otherwise I've had no problems ordering direct from Ultracast in Canada). Re the colour scheme 'IPMS diagram' by that do you mean the IPMS artwork done some years back by Rick Kent? More recent research and evidence points more towards the aircraft being finished in the original USAAF Olive Drab over Neutral Gray, with a disruptive pattern, possibly in RAF Middle Stone applied over the top. Not the full repaint into standard RAF Desert colours as hypothesised and portrayed in profile illustrations in the past. Code letters, either pale sky blue or white, no definitive answer on that point. Regards.

Fossil, the information available from various sources is that they were USAAF specification P-51/F-6 aircraft, fitted to carry a vertical camera in the rear fuselage between the radiator outlet and tail wheel bay, and were primarily used for vertical photography. This was the NAA developed modification to the type, not the RAF developed one. The Squadron's Spitfire Vbs being fitted with an oblique camera and used for the oblique photography role. So main changes externally would be the change to RAF roundels in place of the USAAF stars, addition of the Squadron and individual aircraft codes and the modification to the camouflage - more likely addition of a second colour to the USAAF standard olive drab upper surfaces to provide the disruptive scheme. And I note that P----Bucket has finally caught up with me and all my photos in this and the other relevant threads are now replaced by their ransomeware image. NOTE 10 July 2017 - have gone back to earlier posts I have made in this thread and re-added the technical documentation extracts and photos. Will add photos of models later. Regards.

Ah, Zombie Thread on early Mustangs revived. Okay Troy, here we go. First photo, is of one of the first two production Mustang Mk.Is, in the original AG serials, photographed at NAA before delivery. Has the short original ‘narrow’ intake above the cowling. From early flight testing of the production examples, issues with the efficiency of the intake at high angles of attack were identified and so the intake was extended to just behind the propeller, which solved that problem. Note also, original gun camera position out on the port wing outer section, and original tubular ejector exhausts. NAA factory pattern camo. Photo 2, Mustang Mk.I retained in the USA for trials and development use by NAA, a few photos of this one around, including a couple of colour ones. As it was used for trials and testing of proposed production modifications for later Allison engined Mustangs, it became a bit of a ‘bitzer’, with aspects of later AM, AL and AP series Mustang Mk.Is showing up in some photos. In this instance, has the later slightly broader, but still relatively narrow air intake as fitted to the AM, AL and AP series Mustang Mk.I and also to the Mustang Mk.IA/P-51. Note too in this one, the antenna wires going from mid fuselage to the tail planes - you can just see the wires and insulators. NAA factory pattern camo. Photo 3, P-51/Mustang Mk.IA, this one from memory I think was one also retained for trials use with NAA, hence why it looks a bit used and abused. Has the US style 20m installation with the external recoil springs ahead of the wing leading edge fairing. If you compare the air intake shape on photo 2 and photo 3, you will see they are basically the same. Photo 4, P-51A, Mustang Mk.II. From memory this is one from a training unit in the USA - see light coloured band around nose. Well worn, well used and abused. This has the later much wider nose air intake fitted to the A-36 and the P-51A. This had a larger filter unit, and in that dark patch about mid way on the intake trunking, is a door that could be opened on the ground when taxiing, to take in potentially cleaner air - useful if a number of aircraft were operating off a very dusty or sandy strip. The intake on the A-36 and the P-51A were largely the same, key difference being the addition of the door on the top of the scoop to take in supposedly cleaner air at the top of the cowling. Photo 5, AG series Mustang Mk.I - I suspect this photo has been retouched by censor as position of the gun camera on port wing has been ‘erased’ and area where serial would appear on rear fuselage appears obscured - dark patch. Note for the AG series Mustang Mk.I, has the radiator intake air deflector plate in front of the radiator intake, which was deleted from later Mustang Mk.I and Mustang Mk.IA. Also pre-RAF operational armament modifications, in that it still has the ‘cheek’ cowls around the nose guns and no change to under-wing ejector ports. Early style markings and dark propeller spinner, so still in original NAA applied C&M. Photo 6, AM serial Mustang Mk.I. AM148, RM-G No.26 Sqdn RAF, later repaint/modification into RAF C&M mid to late 1942 but pre November 1942. Note radiator intake air deflector is gone, gun camera port on port wing gone - camera now mounted in nose between the nose guns, hidden in the shadow would be a circular camera ‘window’. The shiny metal around the underwing armament ejector ports would be as a result of the RAF in service modifications to the armament. This included ‘beefing’ up the internal wing mounting arrangements and replacement of the original NAA ejection chutes, which were a mix of shaped rubber and metal components, with RAF designed and manufactured all metal chutes. Had different internal dimensions and more curved shape to overcome ejection chute blockages and ’stove piping’ of ejected cases. The cowls have also been removed from the nose guns - another recommended RAF in service modification to assist gun cooling and operation. Also note has original RAF HF long wire antenna and insulator fitted and the early style tubular exhausts. And my AM and ICM P-51 kits of various flavours are currently buried at the bottom of my stash ‘leaning tower of kit boxes’ so unable to get at them at present to compare. However, the ICM P-51A kit as it comes, is a bit of a mash-up of features. It has the narrow earlier ‘straight sided’ type air intake above the nose as for a early Mustang Mk.I. The wing is also more like a P-51B/C wing in that it has the external stiffeners in front of the ailerons which the Allison Mustangs did not have. Also has the B/C type stiffener in the wing centre section in front of the radiator intake, not the more ‘rounder’ type as on the earlier Allison Mustangs. So what they have done is tried to get the maximum number of potential uses out of what mouldings they produced. I have some and I’ve used them for components for conversions or basis for conversions to other sub-types. None of the current 1/48th kits, AM or ICM really have the proper shape for the radiator intake area and ‘bath/dog house’ for the Mustang Mk.I or Mustang Mk.IA. Still waiting for a good mainstream manufacturer to really do the early Allison Mustang justice in 1/48th or 1/72nd. Also, don’t know when it will hit here, but all the photos I have posted earlier in this thread and the other early Mustang ones are linked back to my P——Bucket account and they are apparently changing their arrangements and it is impacting photos posted in threads to a number of websites as they consider it ‘third party hosting’. So view them whilst you can, as it will take me some time to transfer all my photos to another photo hosting site and then re-edit my posts to remove the old photo links with new one. HTH.

Normally I would not buy into this particular discussion, other than I recently had the opportunity to see the Maude Family P-40E Kittyhawk in New Zealand. The history of this P-40 is here: http://www.rcafkittyhawk.com/history.htm In particular, a large number of warbird maintainers and historians have repeatedly stated that this is one of the most ‘original’ early P-40s in terms of its percentage of original parts and finish. It has not been stripped down and rebuilt multiple times, its rebuilds in RCAF service and then extent of its rebuilds and restoration post RCAF service are well documented. The fact that the cockpit has not been documented as being refurbished or rebuilt during its life and appears to those more in the know than I to be original, is one of its main claims to fame and its value as a warbird. What in particular caught my eye, and that I captured in photos, was the colour of the cockpit interior and the colour inside the flap area. I include photos showing those parts of the airframe and the colour of the paint on them. Photos taken in natural sunlight, no flash. Purely added to add to the academic discussion, I have no particular view to push. I relation to the Boomerang interior colours, the Red Roo boys would have the information pretty accurate as one of their key contributors is Richard Hourigan who has been instrumental in getting a number of Australia's significant warbirds back in the air, including making sure they were in accurate finishes and colour schemes. He has probably spent more time 'hands on' with the actual aircraft as well as conducting focussed research in the original files in the Australian Archives than anyone else I know. Reminds me to try and get some cockpit shots of the Boomerang next time I am at Temora. Regards.

Really like this one and your other Harvard builds Tony, great execution of a themed build. If you want more Harvard inspiration (and if you don't already have it) I can heartily recommend the Canadian "Harvard Bible" - Harvard! The North American Trainers in Canada by David C Fletcher & Doug Macphail. Includes more 2 Wireless School Harvards with the 'anti bouncing' stripes to warn off other trainees that the aircraft was a wireless trainer and should not be bounced or engaged in dog-fighting - CofG with the extra radio gear was just within limits. Then of course, the book then gives incentive to do the Belcher Bits 1/48th Harvard Mk.I and Yale conversions for some of the interesting schemes they carried. Regards,