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Showing results for tags '352nd'.
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Eagerly awaiting the start of the GB. Here is the beginnings of my build. - 1/48 Tamiya P-51B Mustang - Eagle Strike IP4810 Blue Nose Birds of Bodney Part 4 - Ultracast 48026 Detailed Exhausts - Ultracast 48139 Corrected Flaps - Ultracast 48133 Block Tread Wheel - Ultracast 48014 Seats (may or may not use these, depending on Aires set) - Aires #4223 Cockpit Set (not yet arrived...thought I had a set) - Resin propeller blades as well (no sure brand, they are in the bag with the exhausts. More yellow resin so guessing not ultracast) Gonna depict PZ*D from the 486th Fighter Group as seen in the photo below with plane not fully striped.
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Back when we acquired Colourcoats I found myself having a 4 way chat with 3 members of the 352nd Fighter Group association, specifically about the colours of blue used on the aircraft. There were areas where views varied and some where they were in agreement. They agreed that after late 1944 both squadrons seemed to have standardised on the same very dark blue. Earlier in the war, the 486th FS painter just mixed something to his own taste which was different every time, and often a very light blue (but not a blue-grey). The 487th FS painter was much more methodical and consistent, but it was still a lighter blue. There was some discussion that the British colour MAP Deep Sky was used, but this isn't fully accepted. An aluminium model was built by George Nunemacher using the squadron paint. The model survives and the association have dubbed this colour "Nunemacher Blue". Kermit Weeks' P-51D "Cripes A'Mighty 3rd" is matched to this model and the association are in agreement that this is typical of mid-war 487th Fighter Squadron blue. I have had the briefest of exchanges with Kermit on his Facebook page about his blue. He's a very busy man but I asked if I could get close to his aircraft and he responded suggesting I matched to his aircraft. I'm hoping to get to Florida next July and will visit Fantasy of Flight and mail ahead to see if I can get access to it. Of more immediate interest, the association told me of another warbird they believe is correct, but for the late war colour. A man by the name of Grady Lisk chimed in. It turns out he's had worked on this Mustang, painted as Cripes A'Mighty (the 4th / last - the one George Preddy was killed in on Christmas Day 1944 by "friendly fire"). Mr Lisk had the leftover paint used on the aircraft and has kindly sent me a sample. I have compared this to MAP Deep Sky out of interest and it's pretty close to be honest, so I think that RAF Deep Sky theory might not be so far-fetched if indeed this sample is typical of late 1944 onwards blue used by both the 486th and 487th FS, as the 352nd FG Association believe. Colourcoats doesn't presently have MAP Deep Sky in the range. To be honest, I'm not sure what use it is generally. I'm tempted due to a personal fondness of the Blue Nosers to make a one-off batch of this colour.