galfa Posted March 16, 2018 Share Posted March 16, 2018 (edited) Hi, In these days I am building a 1/48 Tamiya P-51D. Time has come to choose in which markings finishing this model. I am looking for an ETO natural metal Mustang with a bare front fuselage and spinner, something that seems common for the Mustang deployed in the Pacific but not in Europe. Can you help? Best, Edited March 18, 2018 by galfa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Boak Posted March 16, 2018 Share Posted March 16, 2018 In Europe, the forward fuselage and spinner were used to carry the identification markings for the Fighter Group in the USAAF and (later) the squadron for the RAF and RCAF. So you won't find any bare examples, except from the time in the RAF after the adoption of bare metal and before the adoption of squadron colours US-style? I think that I've seen examples from the Polish units in 1945-46. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilHoff Posted March 16, 2018 Share Posted March 16, 2018 Hello, 479th Fighter Group Mustangs didn't have coloured noses. Some examples on Little Friends website: http://www.littlefriends.co.uk/galleries/479th-fighter-squadron/ Philippe 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWM Posted March 16, 2018 Share Posted March 16, 2018 5 hours ago, Graham Boak said: I think that I've seen examples from the Polish units in 1945-46. Like that (Squadron 303, but code PD, not RF, late '45-46): More here: http://www.mysliwcy.pl/303/303_mustang.htm Here is profile from April 45, with RF code 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giorgio N Posted March 16, 2018 Share Posted March 16, 2018 I was going to suggest 479th FG but Philippe already did. I recently built the HB 1/72 P-51D as Yakima Chief of 434th FS of the same Group, all natural metal except for the red rudder (and of course the silver painted wings). Even the spinner was in polished natural metal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bentwaters81tfw Posted March 16, 2018 Share Posted March 16, 2018 Robin Olds mount was bare metal. He used to help his ground crew polish it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elger Posted March 16, 2018 Share Posted March 16, 2018 According to the profile artwork (so not 100% sure) F-6D 44-14699 "Shady Lady" as found on the Kits World decal sheet has a bare metal nose (https://www.aviationmegastore.com/north-american-f6cf6d-photorecce-mustang--kw132108-kitsworld-kw132108-aircraft-scale-modelling-decals/product/?action=prodinfo&art=134533) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noelh Posted March 17, 2018 Share Posted March 17, 2018 (edited) On page 132 of 'The mighty 8th in colour' is a photo of a newly arrived P51D 413557 devoid of any squadron marking. Just the black recognition bands on the wings and tail. However the spinner appears to be black. Edit: Actually here's the photo http://www.ww2color.com/search/webapps/slides/slides.php?action=update&primary_key=03193 Edited March 17, 2018 by noelh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashley353 Posted March 17, 2018 Share Posted March 17, 2018 If you're considering a 479FG machine you should check out the Osprey title below which has plenty of excellent photos and a number of colour profiles: https://ospreypublishing.com/479th-fighter-group Hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
303sqn Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 (edited) 303 Squadron was the only polish squadron to be equipped with the P-51D model. They had exactly two, KH663 and KH669. Both were camouflaged. All the rest were P-51Ks with Aeroproducts propellers and so called ‘Dallas Hood’ and unpainted. I think this was common in the RAF. ‘D’ models were delivered camouflaged and ‘K’ models natural metal. On the 6th July 1945 the British Government withdrew recognition of the Polish Government in exile. Polish squadrons ceased to belong to the PAF and were transferred to the RAF. Soon after 303 Squadron were notified to change their squadron codes from RF to PD. No reason was given. It was greatly resented by the squadron who felt it was an insult and even deliberately malicious. From this time onwards chessboards and the squadron badge were not applied to any new aircraft taken on charge by the squadron. Model Maker have released a set of decals for 303 Squadron Mustangs. Edited March 18, 2018 by 303sqn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
galfa Posted March 18, 2018 Author Share Posted March 18, 2018 Thank you all ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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