Jump to content

Bee Beeson's BEE ‒ Revival of a classic kit


Recommended Posts

While working on LUCKY LEAKY II for the P-51 group build here I used the opportunity to renovate some of the Mustang models that I built in the 1980s and 1990s. Now I'm delighted to present Capt Duane W. Beeson's 'BEE' in her new dress -

 

49627505341_e4d30e2fbc_b.jpg

 

P-51B-5-NA

4th FG  334th FS   F-356 Debden   April 1944

 

49630498221_234e0ce7f1_b.jpg

 

The Monogram kit was first released in 1967

 

49627777047_833c048761_z.jpg

 

I built BEE in 1988 and had been satisfied with my work for 15 years when, during a major P-51D restoration project, I decided to do something about her too. After a little while I realised that there was not much synergy between versions so I put her to rest, stripped of all accessories and markings. Now, a further 16 years later, the improvement act was completed.

 

49627505411_bb23643023_b.jpg

 

Retrieving the blank airframe I upgraded the cockpit and installed a canopy, wheels, exhausts and wing pylons from my aftermarket spares box. The propeller, landing gear and 75 gal drop tanks are enhanced original parts. The gun ports and radiator ramp have also been modified. Finally, markings from the AMD 48-213 decal sheet were applied on an entirely new camouflage.

 

49626992608_1154872c59_b.jpg

 

Duane Beeson achieved all of his Mustang victories in this aircraft and was eventually shot down in it by flak on April 5th, 1944 to become a POW. The shiny red nose had replaced the former white one just about a week earlier.

 

49626992563_d0fe8515ba_b.jpg

 

I hope you enjoy this bit of nostalgia.

 

Cheers, Michael

 

REFERENCES

(1)  MUSTANG AT WAR, ROGER A. FREEMAN, LONDON, 1974

(2)  NORTH AMERICAN P-51 & F-6 MUSTANG, CAMOUFLAGE & MARKINGS NO.16, ROGER A. FREEMAN, LONDON, 1974

(3)  ACES OF THE EIGHTH, GENE B. STAFFORD / WILLIAM N. HESS, WARREN, 1977

(4)  MUSTANG ACES OF THE EIGHTH AIR FORCE, AIRCRAFT OF THE ACES 1, JERRY SCUTTS, LONDON, 1994

(5)  VIII FIGHTER COMMAND AT WAR, AIRCRAFT OF THE ACES 31, MICHAEL O'LEARY, BOTLEY, 2000

(6)  P-51 MUSTANG UNITS OF THE EIGHTH AIR FORCE, USAAF COLOURS 4, ROGER FREEMAN, HERSHAM, 2003

(7)  P-51 MUSTANG – DEVELOPMENT OF THE LONG-RANGE ESCORT FIGHTER, PAUL A. LUDWIG, HERSHAM, 2003

(8)  4TH FIGHTER GROUP IN WORLD WAR II, LARRY DAVIS, CARROLLTON, 20

(9)  THE NORTH AMERICAN P-51 EARLY MUSTANG, AIRFRAMES & MINIATURE NO.6, RICHARD A. FRANKS, BEDFORD, 2013

(10)  WWW.AMERICANAIRMUSEUM.COM/AIRCRAFT/13716

 

  • Like 33
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Very nice job on this and the other Monogram mustangs you have posted recently. Not knowing much about the kit I would have assumed it was fairly basic due to its comparative age but they all really do look beautiful results that you have achieved!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 06/03/2020 at 22:19, stoohoo said:

Not knowing much about the kit I would have assumed it was fairly basic due to its comparative age but they all really do look beautiful results that you have achieved!

 

On 06/03/2020 at 23:42, SAT69 said:

Splendid build. I remember the kit and, yes, it's basic.

 

Thanks stoohoo and SAT69, your comments are much appreciated.

 

Monogram kits may indeed be very basic, although they show different levels of accuracy. Modelling in 1/48 since 1976 I own a lot of them because there were not many offerings at that time except for Monogram (mainly US types) and Otaki (for my Japanese collection). I still like them very much, even beyond the vintage aspect! With some aftermarket investment they make decent models.

 

Cheers, Michael

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 06/03/2020 at 18:38, Toryu said:

Beeson achieved all of his 24 aerial victories in this Mustang and was eventually shot down in it by flak on April 5th, 1944 to become a POW. I

A great model, but Beeson scored the bulk of his victories flying his previous P-47,  'Boise Bee' .  The P-51 had only been in service a few months when Beeson was flying it and he wouldn't have been able to rack up that many kills in it by then.

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well observed! Thanks Roger  @Roger Holden

The text should have read: 'All of his Mustang kills...' I changed the topic accordingly.

 

Out of interest I consulted my above references. The most reliable score data would be the following:

Original - 18 air, 7 ground

Revised - 19⅓ air, 4¾ ground

Total - 24.08

Mustang - 5⅓ air, 4 ground

Thunderbolt - 12 (doesn't add up!)

Eagle squadron - Nil

Made ace - October 8th, 1943

 

Cheers, Michael

Link to comment
Share on other sites

12 hours ago, Toryu said:

The most reliable score data would be the following:

 

Michael, the 'Gold Standard' for data on American aces scores is the wonderful 'Stars and Bars' by Frank Olynyk. which lists every victory of each US ace and is a monumental feat of research unlikely to ever be bettered. Many of the victories are also corroborated from German records , so provide a more rigorous evaluation than other sources.  I don't have it immediately to hand, but know there are extended sections on the major aces like Beeson.  Anyone with an interest in the subject should get this great book !

  • Like 1
  • Thanks 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Toryu changed the title to Bee Beeson's BEE ‒ Revival of a classic kit

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...