Winnbowman Posted November 21, 2022 Share Posted November 21, 2022 (edited) I was "gifted" an Academy 1/72 P-51D with a Corsair kit I recently purchased. I know very little about Mustangs but would like to give it a try. I was thinking of markings and was curious if the Canadians flew it in WWII. I found some info but it just confused me more than helped. It went into Mk I, II III IV but I have no idea which is a P-51D. I am guessing the early marks were razor backs? I am interested in a NMF bird and am not interested in tackling a complex camo scheme. If indeed the Canadians did fly the D model where can I find decals for it? Thanks for any help. Edited November 22, 2022 by JOHN-069 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troy Smith Posted November 22, 2022 Share Posted November 22, 2022 2 hours ago, JOHN-069 said: If indeed the Canadians did fly the D model where can I find decals for it? NMF schemes for Canadian planes are going to be post war, and they exist. Wartime, the D model is a Mustang Mk.IV in RAF use, I can't recall if there were RCAF P-51D units in the war @Paul J is very good on Canadian subjects, he'd know I'll also @dogsbody if you look top right there are 3 dots, which is the edit button, I suggest editing the thread heading to "markings for Canadian P-51D's" as that is what your question is. HTH 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingerbob Posted November 22, 2022 Share Posted November 22, 2022 442 Squadron used the Mustang IV operationally for the last month of the war in Europe. Squadron code 'Y2'. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackG Posted November 22, 2022 Share Posted November 22, 2022 1945 https://www.abovebelow.ca/product/342-north-american-p-51d-mustang-iv-442-sqn-1945-/310?cp=true&sa=false&sbp=false&q=false&category_id=3 Post war https://www.abovebelow.ca/product/185-north-american-p51d-mk-iv-mustang-402-city-of-winnipeg-squadron-1955-/657?cp=true&sa=false&sbp=false&q=false&category_id=3 https://www.abovebelow.ca/product/037-north-american-p51d-mustang-iv-1955-cjatc-or-city-of-london-sqn-/265?cp=true&sa=false&sbp=false&q=false&category_id=3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogsbody Posted November 22, 2022 Share Posted November 22, 2022 If anyone might have info on this, it's @Carl V ( Carl Vincent ). I have just sent him a message, asking about this. Now we wait. Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winnbowman Posted November 22, 2022 Author Share Posted November 22, 2022 Thanks, what I was seeing, camo for Canadian WWII planes. If no luck I have found Polish unit that served in the RAF that had NMF planes. Want something different than U.S. markings. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brewerjerry Posted November 22, 2022 Share Posted November 22, 2022 (edited) Hi link to page with photos 442 sq mustang NMF in photo KH747 Equivalent to USAAF P-51K. Used by No. 442 (F) Squadron, RCAF, from the UK in 1945, coded "Y2*Y". One of 13 aircraft on the squadron's last operational mission, top cover for task force liberating the Channel Islands on 9 May 1945, flown from Hunsdon, UK. Left this Squadron on 1 August 1945. apparently the P-51K had a different prop from the P-51D seems all the NMF 's in tbe link are P-51K cheers jerry http://www.venturapublications.com/news/publish/442-RCAF-Mustangs.shtml Edited November 22, 2022 by brewerjerry typo 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted November 22, 2022 Share Posted November 22, 2022 Regarding the Polish Mustang Mk.IV, they were the standard RAF K model with bubble canopy, Aeroproduct propellers and the small breather plates over the panel below the exhaust with the perforations. Mostly finished in the standard natural metal schemes as usually applied to late Mustangs. They were only operated by 303 Squadron into the post war period. The wartime Mustangs operated by a few other Polish squadrons were always the MkIII high back (not razor back as often described) and generally in camouflage colours. As for the Canadian P-51D, there were lots of nice colourful units operating them post war too. Leading Edge Decals did some very nice and comprehensive decal sheets covering all these units. But are hard to get now in either 1/72 or/and 1/48th. These Mustangs were, again, mainly natural metal or even aluminium painted all over with red wing tip areas and tail planes. Adorned with their unit markings. Well worth seeking out the decals!!! I have some left over for 1/72 if interested. Hope the above helps. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoffrey Sinclair Posted November 22, 2022 Share Posted November 22, 2022 Mustang IV = either P-51D (Hamilton Standard) or P-51K (Aeroproducts) propeller. According to the USAAF deliveries for Britain were 30 P-51D August/September 1944, 593 P-51K October 1944 to March 1945, 251 P-51D March to June 1945. 619 Mark IV were imported into Britain September 1944 to May 1945, 72 into North Africa November 1944 to February 1945 and 177 into India March to September 1945. RAF Squadrons by Jefford, mark IV operators, squadrons, 19 from April 1945 to March 1946 64 from August 1945 to May 1946 65 from March 1945 to May 1946 93 from January to December 1946 112 from February 1945 to December 1946 122 from May to August 1945 126 from August 1945 to March 1946 154 February and March 1945 213 from February 1945 to February 1947 234 from March to August 1945 249 from June to August 1945 250 from August 1945 to December 1946 260 from June to August 1945 303 from August 1945 to November 1946 611 from March to August 1945 For 442 squadron aircraft it reports only Mustang III on strength March to August 1945 when it was disbanded, that is a mistake for Mustang IV. https://heritage.canadiana.ca/view/oocihm.lac_reel_c12319/1570 Post war RCAF Mustang IV 9221 to 9300 and 9551 to 9600, of these 30 in June 1947 the rest arrived from October 1950 to March 1951. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RZP Posted November 22, 2022 Share Posted November 22, 2022 That’s a lot of information people have kindly provided, hope it hasn’t confused you even more. Simple answer is, yes 442 Squadron RCAF flew the Mustang IV during the last months of the war. There were NMF examples in the squadron, but they were mostly P-51Ks which had a different prop as has been pointed out. Unfortunately there was only one set of decals in 1/72 for an NMF example and they are long out of print, and not entirely accurate. I have a set and you can have it, and I can provide corrections to make it easier. 303 Squadron also flew NMF Mustangs at the end, but they were again mostly P-51Ks. There are decals available and I can send you a full set with drawings if you like, along with the correct propellor. If you’re not tied to a wartime example, the RCAF bought 130 after the war, all P-51Ds. They served from 1947 to 1956. I’m biased but they were among the most colourful of any Mustangs. I have a spare set of those as well. I provided research material for the decal company. Polish and RCAF Mustangs are an obsession of mine. 🙂 Richard 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobmig Posted November 22, 2022 Share Posted November 22, 2022 IPMS Canada's emailed newsletter, beaveRTales (as opposed to their print publication, RT) had an article on 442 Sqn. Mustangs some years ago. Here's a link: https://www.ipmscanada.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/beaveRTales_04_2016.pdf 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted November 22, 2022 Share Posted November 22, 2022 Here are just a few pics of my collection of post war RCAF MUstangs. \KIts used were a mix of Tamiya and new tool Airfix. All with Leading Edge Decals. Airfix kit. Airfix model. 1/72 Tamiya kit. This last one is the Tamiya 1/48th kit but the decals are /were also available in 1/72. This may give you some inspiration for your model asnd an idea of what can be done. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWM Posted November 22, 2022 Share Posted November 22, 2022 Here are even 1/72 decals available for Polish Mustangs Mk IV (or Mk IVa as P51K was called) https://strefamarzen.pl/pl/products/kalkomania-303-squadron-nort-american-mustang-8738 You can see that it might have been also the camo scheme, however mostly they are NMF. I think they start operate in last month of WW2 in Europe (from 3 April 1945, getting operational on 23 April, on 25th they took part as escort of RAF bomber raid on Berghof). It ended on 11.12.1946. Here a couple of photos https://www.mysliwcy.pl/303/303_mustang.htm. More here https://www.books-on-collectables.eu/en/transport/air/polish-wings-no-23-303-squadron-north-american-mustang/a-17096-10000002 Regards J-W 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted November 22, 2022 Share Posted November 22, 2022 I have e that issue of Polish Wings. Very good and useful publication. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fubar57 Posted November 22, 2022 Share Posted November 22, 2022 2 hours ago, Paul J said: Here are just a few pics of my collection of post war RCAF MUstangs. \KIts used were a mix of Tamiya and new tool Airfix. All with Leading Edge Decals. Airfix kit. Airfix model. 1/72 Tamiya kit. This last one is the Tamiya 1/48th kit but the decals are /were also available in 1/72. This may give you some inspiration for your model asnd an idea of what can be done. Maple Leaf roundels make any aircraft look better 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Fleming Posted November 23, 2022 Share Posted November 23, 2022 A note on the Academy kit - there are two versions, one of which has seven exhaust outlets instead of six..... Most of the NMF RAF Mustangs were the later K variant, and had the different prop and revised vents on the lower nose *e.g. 19 Squadron's Dooleybird, or Storrar's two seat versions (one in Italy, one in UK) There were some natural metal ones used by the Mustang wing in Italy, including 3 RAAF, but I can't recall off the top of my head if they were Ds or Ks 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted November 23, 2022 Share Posted November 23, 2022 1 hour ago, Dave Fleming said: A note on the Academy kit - there are two versions, one of which has seven exhaust outlets instead of six..... Most of the NMF RAF Mustangs were the later K variant, and had the different prop and revised vents on the lower nose *e.g. 19 Squadron's Dooleybird, or Storrar's two seat versions (one in Italy, one in UK) There were some natural metal ones used by the Mustang wing in Italy, including 3 RAAF, but I can't recall off the top of my head if they were Ds or Ks The one in the photo in your post is a K. Check out the prop. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted November 23, 2022 Share Posted November 23, 2022 (edited) I have multiple sheets of decals in 1/72 for RAF/Commonwealth Mustangs. If youre interested PM me and I can get a list together. Id be happy to send you what you need if you see what you are looking for. EDIT: Checked all I have in Natural metal finish is 303 Squadron. Edited November 24, 2022 by Corsairfoxfouruncle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogsbody Posted November 24, 2022 Share Posted November 24, 2022 I've heard back from @Carl V, but unfortunately, he doesn't have much info on Canadian Mustang use during WW2, especially for the late Merlin-powered versions. He does have a few NMF Mustang photos that are posted below. Chris, for Carl 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winnbowman Posted November 25, 2022 Author Share Posted November 25, 2022 (edited) Thanks for all the help. I have 2 P-51s the 1/72 Academy with the cuffed prop and a 1/48 Hasegawa on the way with the standard uncuffed prop, a P-51K. The Hasegawa has crap old decals that need replacing, so I now know I can do an RAF Polish unit as they were K models. And from some of the pictures I can do a Canadian post war with the cuffed prop? I saw one in the images above. Thanks, now I know what to look for in decal markings. Edited November 25, 2022 by JOHN-069 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingerbob Posted November 25, 2022 Share Posted November 25, 2022 One bit of clarification: The P-51K used an Aeroproducts prop, and that has a more "curvy" blade shape- the photo above of "JAS" from rear quarter shows it very well. The P-51D used a Hamilton Standard prop- during WWII it had dense rubber "cuffs" (Paul J's "City of Winnipeg" build above shows it well, particularly since the cuffs are black while the "base" metal blade is silvery). By the Korean War, and generally postwar, it became quite common to see an "uncuffed" variation, which is basically just what the term implies- BUT the blade shape remains the more "parallel" (rectangular) one, right out to the tip (more or less). Don't confuse the Aeroproducts prop with what is typically referred to as an "uncuffed" prop, which generally is shorthand for a Ham Standard example. Model instructions, etc, might use this terminology. (Just to make life more interesting, it was entirely possible to change props on an actual Mustang, and (as I recall) it was not unheard of for a K to be given a Ham Standard prop, but it was probably quite rare indeed for a P-51D to be given an Aeroproducts prop.) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winnbowman Posted November 25, 2022 Author Share Posted November 25, 2022 To the best of my knowledge Academy is cuffed with 6 exhausts per side , a D in my minds eyes. The Hasegawa comes with 2 different style blades, one cuffed and the other uncuffed but until I have kit in hand I don't really know whose uncuffed blades they are. I do know the decals are garbage and one subject was Dooleybird. That is where I am at as of now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted November 25, 2022 Share Posted November 25, 2022 It's true that the Academy kit had 7 exhaust stubs but only the earlier issues I noticed the later ones were corrected with 6 stubs. Not a bad kit but not perfect It fills the brief more or less as a D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winnbowman Posted November 25, 2022 Author Share Posted November 25, 2022 (edited) Ok, this confuses me the most . Here are my 2 choices for the 1/72 Academy kit in canopies. I want to do a Canadian NMF post war era bird with the cuffed prop, which canopy fits the bill best? The tall bubble one on the left or the shallower lower one on the right? Edited November 25, 2022 by JOHN-069 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingerbob Posted November 26, 2022 Share Posted November 26, 2022 Does one "bulge" when viewed from front or back- get wider above the skirt? The first D canopy was "flat" sided, then they introduced the bulged style which made looking over your shoulder easier. There are also variations of profile shape, but that's a different can of worms. At any rate, I'd expect a bulgy hood on a Canadian Mustang. As always, though, choose a specific subject that you can find photos of! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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