FAS 403 Cavalier Mustang II question

[Techos]

Hi

I recently purchased ( no not a real P 51 D !) a decal sheet made by
Aztek decals in Mexico, my goal would be to make a replica from a Cavalier
Mustang II ( FAS 403) from El Salvador. I'm looking for any info abou this
plane: what are the main differencies what is the best kit ( 1/48) to have
to make it

 

[Marco Lavagnino]

Hi Techos, Cavalier II FAS 403 was one of 5 Cavalier II purchased by the Salvadorean Air Force in 1968 (plues one TF-51), tail numbered FAS 401 to 405. FAS 403 participated in the 100 Hour War (known as Soccer War) 14-18 July 1969 against Honduras, flying mostly ground attack missions but also being involved in air to air patrols. FAS 403 survived the war and became the personal aircraft of Squadron leader Capt. Lobo. In 1972, FAS 403 crashed killing its pilot Capt. Otto Vega. Albatross decals show a quite accurate post-war FAS 603, including the Disney´s Wolf with helmet, a personalisation of Capt. Lobo´s (Lobo = Wolf in spanish). They were available in 1/72 and 1/48 scale. The best kit to assemble this one, it is either Tamiya´s or Hasegawa´s P-51 D/K. The only modifications needed are to increase in the tail height (1.5´higher), to empty everything out from the rear cockpit compartment (no radio, no fuel tank there, in fact a small seat for an observer occupied this space), and to somehow modernize the general cockpit instruments, quite difficult to achieve, but painting it all mostly light gray will provide a good option. The gunsight provided in the kits is no good, the one used by FAS Cavalier fas a smaller one, wouldn´t know its designation. This is if you want to assemble the Cavalier according to the "Lobo" scheme (aprox 1971-72). But if you want to assemble it as it was during the 100 Hour War (July 1969), then add the 100 gal wingtip tanks (scratch, F-80 tanks can be modified) and complete the 3 underwing racks for each wing. Markings in Albatross decal sheet will provide the roundels, FAS lettering and tail flag number which were the only marking worn by these aircraft during the war.

Marco

 

[Techos]

Hi Techos, Cavalier II FAS 403 was one of 5 Cavalier II purchased by the Salvadorean Air Force in 1968 (plues one TF-51), tail numbered FAS 401 to 405. FAS 403 participated in the 100 Hour War (known as Soccer War) 14-18 July 1969 against Honduras, flying mostly ground attack missions but also being involved in air to air patrols. FAS 403 survived the war and became the personal aircraft of Squadron leader Capt. Lobo. In 1972, FAS 403 crashed killing its pilot Capt. Otto Vega. Albatross decals show a quite accurate post-war FAS 603, including the Disney´s Wolf with helmet, a personalisation of Capt. Lobo´s (Lobo = Wolf in spanish). They were available in 1/72 and 1/48 scale. The best kit to assemble this one, it is either Tamiya´s or Hasegawa´s P-51 D/K. The only modifications needed are to increase in the tail height (1.5´higher), to empty everything out from the rear cockpit compartment (no radio, no fuel tank there, in fact a small seat for an observer occupied this space), and to somehow modernize the general cockpit instruments, quite difficult to achieve, but painting it all mostly light gray will provide a good option. The gunsight provided in the kits is no good, the one used by FAS Cavalier fas a smaller one, wouldn´t know its designation. This is if you want to assemble the Cavalier according to the "Lobo" scheme (aprox 1971-72). But if you want to assemble it as it was during the 100 Hour War (July 1969), then add the 100 gal wingtip tanks (scratch, F-80 tanks can be modified) and complete the 3 underwing racks for each wing. Markings in Albatross decal sheet will provide the roundels, FAS lettering and tail flag number which were the only marking worn by these aircraft during the war.

Marco

Hi Marco

A great and warm thank you for your help:exactly what i needed !!!
I still have another Tamiya P 51 D ( Hamilton standard propeller option inside)
What about the canopy, do i need to install the "bulbous" one (specialy
designed to accomodate the rear passenger/observer) ?

 

[Wayne Little]

Nice info Marco...welcome, by the way!

 

[Wurger]

With Wayne.

 

[10tweaker]

Guys,
Hope you guys don't mind this advertising, but I moderate for a Mustang website if you are interested. The link is below.

Jim

Log In

 

[Airframes]

I'm with all Techos. thanks for the link, 10tweaker, could prove useful.

 

[Marco Lavagnino]

Hi Techos, sorry it took so long for me to answer your question about the "standard" FAS Mustangs. FAS operated 6 P-51D Mustang (FAS 407, 408, 409, 410, 411 and 412) + 1 Cavalier P-51 750 (FAS 406), externally showing no difference to the standard Mustangs. None of these were equipped for combat when purchased from private owners in the US in July 1969, so they all were hastily armed and equipped in El Salvador.
They all were equipped with the standard P-51D canopy, so you can use the Tamiya-provided canopy without any problem (by the way, the Cavalier Mustang II did have a canopy very similar to the Dallas canopy, only with a slightly higher "hump" at the back, but notthing noticeable really).
Stock P-51D Mustangs used cuffed Hamilton Standard propellers, but it was not rare to see one using the uncuffed version of the Cavalier Mustang II as they were interchanged depending on availability.
Stock P-51D Mustangs were devoid of seat armour, and had no fuselage fuel tanks nor WWII vintage radios, so you can assemble a pretty nice empty space behind the pilot.
Bomb racks came from the Cavalier Mustang II, so they will be Light gray with the front end spareyed in Dark green, independaltly of the aircraft undersides.
As every stock P-51D paint scheme is unique, it is better to individualize which aircraft you want to assemble, most were painted a yellowish green (Khaki?) and Dark green with light gray undersides (like FAS 406, 407, 408, 409, there were three-colored (like FAS 402(II) late scheme and FAS 410), and Dark Green + Brown (FAS 402(II) early), you choose the one you want.
If you want to put some armament on those bomb racks, 100pd bombs is the only choice, there was nothing else to drop on the enemy back then...

Marco

 

[Naoned]

Hi Techos, sorry it took so long for me to answer your question about the "standard" FAS Mustangs. FAS operated 6 P-51D Mustang (FAS 407, 408, 409, 410, 411 and 412) + 1 Cavalier P-51 750 (FAS 406), externally showing no difference to the standard Mustangs. None of these were equipped for combat when purchased from private owners in the US in July 1969, so they all were hastily armed and equipped in El Salvador.
They all were equipped with the standard P-51D canopy, so you can use the Tamiya-provided canopy without any problem (by the way, the Cavalier Mustang II did have a canopy very similar to the Dallas canopy, only with a slightly higher "hump" at the back, but notthing noticeable really).
Stock P-51D Mustangs used cuffed Hamilton Standard propellers, but it was not rare to see one using the uncuffed version of the Cavalier Mustang II as they were interchanged depending on availability.
Stock P-51D Mustangs were devoid of seat armour, and had no fuselage fuel tanks nor WWII vintage radios, so you can assemble a pretty nice empty space behind the pilot.
Bomb racks came from the Cavalier Mustang II, so they will be Light gray with the front end spareyed in Dark green, independaltly of the aircraft undersides.
As every stock P-51D paint scheme is unique, it is better to individualize which aircraft you want to assemble, most were painted a yellowish green (Khaki?) and Dark green with light gray undersides (like FAS 406, 407, 408, 409, there were three-colored (like FAS 402(II) late scheme and FAS 410), and Dark Green + Brown (FAS 402(II) early), you choose the one you want.
If you want to put some armament on those bomb racks, 100pd bombs is the only choice, there was nothing else to drop on the enemy back then...

Marco

A great and warm thank you !!!