BJW Posted July 19, 2015 Share Posted July 19, 2015 Hello, I'm doing Cpt. Don Beerbowers P-51B-1-NA " BONNIE "B" II " 353rd FS/354th FG in 1/32 - using the Trumpeter P-51B Kit Does anyone have a source or helpful suggestions for the tail fillet on late model P-51B's & C models ? I even thought of "grafting" the rear tail fillet assembly from the spare clear P-51D Fuselage in my other Trumpeter kit, but noticed looking at available online images & my available reference material they are different. Any help would be much appreciated - Barry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralph-D Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 Hi Barry, if you search in the net, then I recommend to do it under "Dorsal fin", maybe if you change the topic you receive more response? see http://www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/aviation/51b-dorsal-fin-31066.html and see Bentley drawings, http://www.albentley-drawings.com Current working on the same model so I have more, but replacing my hard disc that takes time to provide you more information. regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BJW Posted July 27, 2015 Author Share Posted July 27, 2015 Thanks for the suggestions - I'm thinking that using my " Mk 1A Eyeball " & plastic card stock will be best course. -- Barry Lee White 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_K2 Posted July 27, 2015 Share Posted July 27, 2015 Along these same lines, did the C always have the fillet? It's also my current understanding that the B and C are in fact identical, just manufactured in two different locations. Is that true? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BJW Posted July 27, 2015 Author Share Posted July 27, 2015 As I'm no Mustang "expert" - nor a rivet counter, most of the labeled -C Model's that I've come across in my reference material seem to be F-6C TAC Recon Mustangs flying in Europe. but all seem to have that dorsal strake/fillet. Capt. Beerbower's Bonnie "B" II was a P-51B-1NA and I'm guessing it was retrofitted at depot level with the tail fillet? ( possibly soon after the Malcolm hood was added ?) -- Barry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldTroll Posted July 27, 2015 Share Posted July 27, 2015 Depending on my 72-year old memory (my Mustang refs are boxed up at the moment) the B and C models were delivered without the dorsal extension as were all D models before the -10? or -15? block. Some Bs, a few Cs and many early Ds were retrofitted in the field with the extension which was provided as a sheet metal "kit" if my tired brain remembers correctly. Mustang experts should feel free to correct me if I have gone astray. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_Ray Posted July 28, 2015 Share Posted July 28, 2015 I think you are right, Ron, as early D's did not originally have a fillet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_K2 Posted July 28, 2015 Share Posted July 28, 2015 So either a B or C can be built from a B kit, with or without fillet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_Ray Posted July 28, 2015 Share Posted July 28, 2015 I believe you are right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_K2 Posted July 28, 2015 Share Posted July 28, 2015 I believe you are right. Cool. I'm doing an ICM Mustang for a ceiling queen, and someone said a C could also be made, if I so chose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paramedic Posted July 28, 2015 Share Posted July 28, 2015 Fin fillét started to be fitted late in the D-5 production at the Inglewood plant. It was that early design ("Swayback"?) That means any D-10 and D-15 and onwards had a fin fillét of some sort. Can´t remember when the next variant appaered. Sorry but don´t know much about the B/C´s.. Other than a few were retrofitted with fin filléts.. (Was it needed?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_K2 Posted July 28, 2015 Share Posted July 28, 2015 Sorry but don´t know much about the B/C´s.. Other than a few were retrofitted with fin filléts.. (Was it needed?) I'm not sure about the needed part, but can only assume they were installed based upon the thinking that it was somehow beneficial. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_K2 Posted July 29, 2015 Share Posted July 29, 2015 Interesting. And for the life of me, I see no difference at all in the fillets. I'll have to keep digging through my Mustang stuff to see if I can spot one from the other. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_Ray Posted July 29, 2015 Share Posted July 29, 2015 Fillets helped with lateral stability in any situation. Helped more with the D's because of the cut down fuselage, but obviously they figured it would help with the B/C's too. The P-51's were pretty wobbly when fully loaded with fuel, at least the D's, and there was a specified order of which tanks to empty first when flying because of this. If the order wasn't followed it got worse. And of course, as Jennings mention, better lateral stability meant better accuracy with the weapons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_K2 Posted July 29, 2015 Share Posted July 29, 2015 Interesting stuff, Ray, I had no idea. I'm starting to feel pretty silly about my reference library; I purchased most for the imagery, and seldom read any of them, so I remain ignorant of lots of facts that are probably buried within those references. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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