1/32 Tamiya P-51D - The Millie G

[JayW]

Hoss - I will echo what has already been said by a couple others -

 

-  Perhaps the best Tamiya Mustang I have ever seen.

-  Some of the best photography I have seen.  Some photo's could be mistaken for actual pics of the real aircraft.

-  Your research into what constitutes a Mustang of that vintage, and the paint scheme, appears right on the mark.

 

Quite a while ago I did a 21st Century Toys P-51 modification, and chose "Miss Velma"  another 55th FG example.  The early 55th FG P-51 paint scheme is perhaps my favorite:

 

 

There was much discussion as to the color of the long thin red stripe - many think it is yellow rather than red (for Miss Velma anyway).  I concluded that any pictures that suggest yellow are simply age faded pics, and that it was always red on all the aircraft.  There was also discussion as to the color of the checkers.  I believe you (and I) are correct to use a British green, and not light green or OD.  

 

Also, I did alot of research into usage of the 105 gallon "paper" tank versus the standard 75 gallon metal tank.  It is my understanding that sometime during the war, P-51 units moved to the 105 gallon tank, and ceased using the 75 gallon tank entirely.  55th FG originally was a P-38 unit, and converted to P-51's later on in the war.  I believe their conversion was AFTER the date where exclusive use of the 105 gallon tank began.  For that reason, I made the 105 gallon tanks for Miss Velma.  I am prepared to be corrected by anyone who thinks otherwise, but I invite you to look for any period picture of a 55th FG Mustang with the older 75 gallon tanks.  I couldn't find one.

 

Again - just an excellent P-51 you have there.

Edited June 13, 2022 by JayW

[Pete Fleischmann]

That’s pretty damn impressive.

hats off for a job very well done-

P

[Thunnus]

Wow, wow, wow!  A beautiful build!  I can't believe that the engine panels are removable... that's great engineering on Tamiya's part.  The scheme is brilliant and the photography is superb.  Wonderful presentation all around!

[Sasha As]

Wonderful job!!!

[Rascal]

Well that is just spectacular...

 

My favourite model on here all year I think. If I could built models half as well as that I'd be delighted! 

[Hoss FL]

On 6/12/2022 at 4:07 PM, MARU5137 said:

May I have your permission  to use this photograph  for MY  screen saver please.

Thank you.

MARU 5137.

Absolutely. Thanks again. 

[Hoss FL]

On 6/13/2022 at 10:07 AM, JayW said:

Hoss - I will echo what has already been said by a couple others -

 

-  Perhaps the best Tamiya Mustang I have ever seen.

-  Some of the best photography I have seen.  Some photo's could be mistaken for actual pics of the real aircraft.

-  Your research into what constitutes a Mustang of that vintage, and the paint scheme, appears right on the mark.

 

Quite a while ago I did a 21st Century Toys P-51 modification, and chose "Miss Velma"  another 55th FG example.  The early 55th FG P-51 paint scheme is perhaps my favorite:

 

 

There was much discussion as to the color of the long thin red stripe - many think it is yellow rather than red (for Miss Velma anyway).  I concluded that any pictures that suggest yellow are simply age faded pics, and that it was always red on all the aircraft.  There was also discussion as to the color of the checkers.  I believe you (and I) are correct to use a British green, and not light green or OD.  

 

Also, I did alot of research into usage of the 105 gallon "paper" tank versus the standard 75 gallon metal tank.  It is my understanding that sometime during the war, P-51 units moved to the 105 gallon tank, and ceased using the 75 gallon tank entirely.  55th FG originally was a P-38 unit, and converted to P-51's later on in the war.  I believe their conversion was AFTER the date where exclusive use of the 105 gallon tank began.  For that reason, I made the 105 gallon tanks for Miss Velma.  I am prepared to be corrected by anyone who thinks otherwise, but I invite you to look for any period picture of a 55th FG Mustang with the older 75 gallon tanks.  I couldn't find one.

 

Again - just an excellent P-51 you have there.

Thanks for the comments, Jay. Much appreciated. 
 

Thanks also for the info on the drop tanks. I knew that both types were used on Mustangs flying out of the UK, but didn’t know there was a hard switchover from one type to another or that the types were standardized by units at various times. I couldn’t find any definitive info on this one way or the other when researching for this build. I’m going to try to find some more info on this. Thanks. 
 

Interestingly, the Tamiya instructions pair the 105 gallon tanks with the -05 option and the 75 gallon tanks with the later -15 and -20 (or 25) options. I don’t think this is meaningful for the 55  FG specifically, of course. 
 

Thanks again. 

Edited June 16, 2022 by Hoss FL

[Jim Barry]

Wonderful effort! Great result! 

[Phil Smith]

A truly exceptional piece of work. Very well done and an inspiration!

[JayW]

I got it!  This from the book "The Mighty 8th War Manual"  by Roger A. Freeman.  i have had this book for some time, and it's a fantastic read.  It has a sub-section on usage of auxiliary tanks - both bombers and fighters.  It's a really complex story, and drop tank development was mostly centered around the P-47, which along with the P-38 were the bomber escorts at first until the P-51 came along, and the P-47 needed them the most.  Drop tanks for P-51's were merely tanks developed for the most part for the P-47.  Eventually, as I stated before, P-51 units in the 8th AF all were supplied with 108 gallon British manufactured "paper" tanks exclusively.  Freeman says this was from May 1944 to wars end.  Prior to that, the 75 gallon tank was generally the most commonly used for the P-51.

 

55th FG converted to P-51's, from P-38's, in mid July 1944, according to every 55th FG source I have found (see usaaf.com for example).  That is a couple months after the 108 gallon tank became the only tank supplied to P-51 units.  At that time they were stationed in Wormington UK, and unlike many other units, never moved across the channel.  So they used drop tanks regularly (whereas units that moved to the continent often didn't need them).  These dates indicate to me that 55th FG Mustangs never saw the 75 gallon metal tank.  Tamiya is 100% wet.  

Edited June 17, 2022 by JayW

[Dpgsbody55]

That turned out really well.  Great result and beautifully photographed too.    I enjoyed following your build so looking forward to see what's next.

 

Cheers,

Michael

[Hoss FL]

On 6/17/2022 at 8:43 AM, JayW said:

I got it!  This from the book "The Mighty 8th War Manual"  by Roger A. Freeman.  i have had this book for some time, and it's a fantastic read.  It has a sub-section on usage of auxiliary tanks - both bombers and fighters.  It's a really complex story, and drop tank development was mostly centered around the P-47, which along with the P-38 were the bomber escorts at first until the P-51 came along, and the P-47 needed them the most.  Drop tanks for P-51's were merely tanks developed for the most part for the P-47.  Eventually, as I stated before, P-51 units in the 8th AF all were supplied with 108 gallon British manufactured "paper" tanks exclusively.  Freeman says this was from May 1944 to wars end.  Prior to that, the 75 gallon tank was generally the most commonly used for the P-51.

 

55th FG converted to P-51's, from P-38's, in mid July 1944, according to every 55th FG source I have found (see usaaf.com for example).  That is a couple months after the 108 gallon tank became the only tank supplied to P-51 units.  At that time they were stationed in Wormington UK, and unlike many other units, never moved across the channel.  So they used drop tanks regularly (whereas units that moved to the continent often didn't need them).  These dates indicate to me that 55th FG Mustangs never saw the 75 gallon metal tank.  Tamiya is 100% wet.  

 

Thanks Jay for the very interesting information. I didn't know that the 55th FG switched over exclusively to the paper tanks. Good stuff. Just for fun, I did some quick searches for photos and found three photos with 55th FG Mustangs wearing paper tanks and none with the 75 gallon metal tanks. 

 

Sooooooo.... The Barracuda paper tank upgrade kit is on order and I'll swap them out. Thanks again!  Much appreciated. 

[Jack]

Now that is one gorgeous looking 51D, just like the real thing, and to me it brings back memories of one of my favorite old revell 72nd scale P51D Millie G kits i started this hobby with 60 years ago, glad i changed to 32nd scale interests right after that.

Especially the first pictures are really life like, you could have fooled me!!

 

thanks for sharing,

 

Jack.

[JayW]

1 hour ago, Hoss FL said:

Thanks Jay for the very interesting information. I didn't know that the 55th FG switched over exclusively to the paper tanks.

 

And then - what do you know.  I find a pic of a 55th FG P-51 "Worry Bird" flown by a Captain Coons.  If you google it, you will find a metal tank on that aircraft!  I think though, if you want the best shot at the most realistic replica you can make, I would go with the 108 gal paper tank.  Have fun with the pressure lines.  

[CZPetrP]

Nice work.