Academy P51-D "Down for Double 1/72

[copcheck]

I realize I said I was going to take a break for the Summer, but I got bored and my wife gave me the green light.

Here is my 2nd attempt at NMF, this time I used MM Aluminum Acrylic and sealed it with a satin top coat.

The only problem I ran into was the decals. They seemed very brittle on this kit and I had to make some adjustments.

One question I have is whether or not "D's" had antenna wires. I've Googled many pictures but just can't seem to find one with a wire. I'm actually headed up to a craft store to look around based on another thread I read in the forum; thus I would like to start adding wires to my previous kits where applicable.

Thanks gents!

 

[Crimea_River]

Nice work. I had the same question about antenna wires a while back. Read here, although it may leave more questions than answers:http://www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/communication/p51-d-antenna-wire-18345.html

 

[copcheck]

Nice work. I had the same question about antenna wires a while back. Read here, although it may leave more questions than answers:http://www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/communication/p51-d-antenna-wire-18345.html

Wow you weren't lying; more questions than answers for sure. I think I'm going to leave one off of this bird and go back to my older kits and add one as needed.

Thanks,

Jon

 

[Coors9]

Sweet job

 

[Airframes]

Nice work. Bottom line and simple re the antenna wire - 8th AF were using VHF radio, with the antenna as a carbon rod inside the antenna mast, so no wire. An antenna wire was needed for the earlier HF radios, the length of the wire being subject to the requirements of range and frequency, but these soon went within weeks of the P51B/C coming into the ETO, as the 'system' was fitted in the US, and already 'out of date'.
If mods weren't completed at BAD 1 Burtonwood, then they surely were as soon as a ship got to a unit.

 

[mrf17]

Jon,
Great job on the Mustang! I have to agree with Andy... the antenna wire issue is a tough nut to crack and will bring up more questions than answers. There were over 8000 D's built with a majority of them manufactured at the Inglewood, ~1500 at Dallas, and a few in Australia. My bet is that as D model production was ramped up in '44, North American ceased with most aerial wire installations due to different theater spec requirements and advances in radio and avionics technologies. I cannot prove this however. Research has shown (albeit inconclusively) that there is a correlation between ETO and PTO Mustangs having the aerial installed. Maybe this is due to radio reception requirements and "line of sight" issues of long range escort operations over different theater terrains. Also, never underestimate the a pilot's insatiable thirst for lesser weight and greater performance. The Japanese pilots were noted for removing antenna wires and radio packs from their A6M Zeros. Whether this is the case for individual P-51D's is lost to history. In my military career, several of my squadrons had aircraft from the same factory, same type and model, nearly identical bureau numbers and completely differerent avionic packages! (that made for some hilarious moments when I reached for a switch and it wasn't there!) I am assuming the 1940's military acquisition specs were a bit muddier than they are today... especially in light of the fact that the Mustang went from order to flying production in only 117 days. Clear as mud now?
Once again, great job on the model. Cheers!

-Mark

 

[mrf17]

Terry snuck in his post while I was typing mine... makes sense, Airframes! Cheers!
-Mark

 

[Wayne Little]

That's a nice job mate!

 

[Gnomey]

Good work!

 

[Andy70]

That looks great, Jon! Outstanding work!

 

[LA2019]

Your Mustang came out really nice. I like the paint job.

 

[dirkpitt289]

Great finish. I like it a lot

 

[vikingBerserker]

Well done, and thanks for the education about the wires fellas.

 

[copcheck]

Thanks again guys!

Funny how before my buddy told me about this forum, building models was just, well building models.

After "lurking" here for a bit a looking at the stuff you guys do, I'm still in awe of your skills, but feel like my work it getting better with each kit. The part I am really enjoying is putting a name behind each bird and learning about the pilot that flew it.

I feel lucky to be part of this community.

Jon

 

[Nxthanos]

That's a great job!

I did the same aircraft (down for double) with an academy 1/32 kit.

 

[copcheck]

That's a great job!

I did the same aircraft (down for double) with an academy 1/32 kit.

Thank you and your kits looks great. I was hoping to see this model in a larger scale because of the paint scheme.

 

[Wurger]

The next nice build here. I like it.

 

[brucejscott]

Double Sweet! Well Done!