1/48 Hasagawa P-51D Mustang (RAAF AM-G) (1 Viewer)

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Peebs

Senior Airman
426
2
Apr 7, 2010
Werribee Vic
Hi All,
Been quite a while since I've posted here, Life has transpired to leave
me no time to build models for quite a period, but finally have
some time to get back and enjoy this favored past time.

After having attended the recent RAAF 100 years of aviation air show at
RAAF Wiliams, Pt. Cook here in Melbourne, and seeing one of my favorite planes,
the RAAF museum's P-51D Mustang, i decided it would be fun to build a model of it.

I found this reference online:- A68-750 (AM-G) was the personal mount of Sqn Ldr Ron Susans (circa late 1946, early 1947)
whilst at 77 Squadron, Labuan before the squadron was transferred to Iwakuni Japan where
they seved until October 1950 when they were again transferred to Korea and the scheme was changed.

Having done some more investigation it seems Susans DSO DFC had quite an extensive career during and post war
flying different aircraft, and was appointed Commanding Officer of 77 Squadron in 1952, see attached link

09 Jan 1952 - TO LEAD 77 SQUADRON Appointment In Korea

From ADF Serials webpage :- A68-750 Type North American P-51D-25-NT U.S. serial number 44-84489

Received 6 AD ex USA on 06/08/45.
Issued 77 Sqn 12/11/45.
Served in Japan with 77 Sqn.
Returned to Aust in Nov 1948 and issued 78 Wing (Williamtown) 01/12/48.
On 30/11/50 allocated to School Land/Air Warfare.
On 15/03/51, approval given for conversion to components after removal of the engine.
History Card says intent was to use parts of the airframe as a target.
On 1/4/52 balance issued to DAP for disposal.
The real A68-750 is stored in California USA, pending restoration.
It did have the registration VH-POB reserved but that is now available for allocation.
The aircraft flying as A68-750 is really A68-170.


so it would appear the RAAF museum's P51 is A68-170, painted to represent A68-750

again from ADF serials:- A68-170 type CA-18 Mk.23

Delivered 1 AD ex CAC on 23/02/50.
Issued 78 Wing 20/07/50.
Had an engine failure and belly landed at
Williamtown on 30/09/1951 (repaired). Issued No.2 OTU 04/04/52.
Issued 23 (City of Brisbane) Sqn 02/11/53.
To 3 AD on 12/03/56.
Transferred to ATC on 07/03/59.
Was at Toowoomba QLD on display in 1964.
To RAAF Museum Point Cook
Named Duffy's Delight
Underwent 10 year restoration to airworthiness
Registered VH-SVU 28/08/95
Flown marked as A68-750/G-AM .
 
The Kit:

P51D001.jpg


P51D002.jpg
 
Was a bit disappointed to find the aussie decals 'sharkmouth' was black where as the RAAF museum's example has a
red 'sharkmouth', but then I found Ventura Decals that has it in red. The eyes with the ventura set are black were the actual
plane they are red, but Aussie Decals has red eyes, so will be a bit of a mix n match to get what I want!

P51D003.jpg


P51D004.jpg
 
The blurb form Ventura Decals Suggests A68-750 was fitted with an uncuffed
Hamilton Standard propeller On examining the Kit prop blades and comparing them with
photos of the RAAF plane i find that they are cuffed or sometihng totally different
whereas the RAAF plane is indeed cuffless, so I now have a Red Roo models
"DeHavilland Australia 'Cuffless Paddle' Propeller Blades for CAC Mustang' set coming my
way.

IMG_0909.jpg
 
A question for you learned gentlemen out there, here is a few photos of the plane in
question from Airlines.net, the aircraft is NMF but obviously not 'polished and Shiney'
like a lot of P51's you see in model or real form, suggestions on paint?

AMG002.jpg


AMG003.jpg


AMG004.jpg
 
Good stuff so far. The 'modern' silver finish is a coating, not nmf, but as far as I now, aircraft in service were bare metal, apart from, of course, the wing, which was puttied, polished, and painted silver.
If you want to replicate the 'modern' finish, or even the 'painted' wing, then a drop of gloss white added to silver should do the trick.
 
Hi Guys,
Thanks for the info, especially the period pics which I hadn't come across before.
Haven't decided to go for the modern finish as per the RAAF Museum's aircraft
or go with the NMF of the period.

Had some time over the weekend to make a start. For the cockpit floor I first hand painted it
Tamiya XF-60 Dark Yellow with a larger brush with pretty rough brush strokes to try and give it
A grainy appearance, then covered it with flat black, left it a few mins to partially dry then rubbed
It over with a Q tip to simulate some wear and tear.



P51D005.jpg


P51D006.jpg


P51D007.jpg
 
Finally some spare time after work commitments took me interstate for 10 days..

P51D008.jpg


P51D009.jpg
 

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