1/48 Tamiya P-51B Mustang

Gallery Article by Peter Ermel on Aug 18 2010

 

This P-51B is built using the Tamiya 1/48 kit, out of the box.  The Decals are a mix of Aeromaster Blue Nose Birds of Bodney 48-130C and Warbird decals Blue Nose 48011.  The Aluminium Finish is Model Master Aluminium Plate Buffing dry brushed and buffed.  The Blue Nose is Model Master Paints 4 parts #2730 Chrysler Engine Blue and 1 part #1772 Blue Angel Blue.  This color is the formula researched by Sam Sox, "THE EXPERT" on the Blue Nosers.

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"Princess ELIZABETH" was flown by Lt William T Whisner, 487th Fighter Squadron, 352nd Fighter Group, Bodney, May 1944.

This Aircraft was named after Princess Elizabeth, later to become Queen Elizabeth II of England.  A Public Information Officer thought the name would be a great publicity stunt which was hoped would bring favourable publicity to the group.  When Lt Whisner changed to a P-51D he renamed his mount to "Moonbeam McSwine".  Whisner scored 1 aerial victory in Princess ELIZABETH.  This aircraft was shot down by flak over France on the 6 June 1944, being piloted by Lt Robert Butler. Butler survived and returned to Bodney.  Lt Whisner ended the war with 15.5 aerial victories and 3 Ground kills for a total of 18.5

Peter Ermel

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Photos and text © by Peter Ermel