Toryu Posted March 6, 2020 Share Posted March 6, 2020 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 - P-51B-5-NA 4th FG 334th FS F-356 Debden April 1944 The Monogram kit was first released in 1967 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. 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. 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. 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 33 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wulfman Posted March 6, 2020 Share Posted March 6, 2020 Lovely job on the old kit ! Wulfman 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoohoo Posted March 6, 2020 Share Posted March 6, 2020 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 More sharing options...
RMCS Posted March 6, 2020 Share Posted March 6, 2020 Oh yes 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAT69 Posted March 6, 2020 Share Posted March 6, 2020 Splendid build. I remember the kit and, yes, it's basic. Your efforts produced outstanding results. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silberpferd Posted March 7, 2020 Share Posted March 7, 2020 Superb! I love it. Nice revamp👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Brantley Posted March 7, 2020 Share Posted March 7, 2020 A rebirth in the hands of a master modeler! She looks great Michael, that old kit has seldom looked that good! 😀 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinnie Posted March 7, 2020 Share Posted March 7, 2020 You've revived that well. Great looking model. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
runik12 Posted March 7, 2020 Share Posted March 7, 2020 Excellent model, decent, accurate Assembly. Sincerely, Mikhail 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toryu Posted March 8, 2020 Author Share Posted March 8, 2020 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 More sharing options...
Johnson Posted March 10, 2020 Share Posted March 10, 2020 Great result Michael! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Holden Posted March 10, 2020 Share Posted March 10, 2020 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. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toryu Posted March 11, 2020 Author Share Posted March 11, 2020 Well observed! Thanks Roger @Roger Holden The text should read: 'All of his Mustang kills...' I changed the topic accordingly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Holden Posted March 11, 2020 Share Posted March 11, 2020 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 ! 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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