The aircraft: no
account is necessary to display the probably best piston-engined fighter of
W.W.2; before her successful marriage with the famous horse-breed Rolls-Royce
Merlin, early versions were fitted with the honest and reliable Allison unit.
This engine, which powered many first generation U.S.A.'s fighters like the P.39
and P.40, allowed them to be very well worth in the of low level
ground support role. P.51As were used in North Africa, Italian and Far East
theatres.
Click on
images below to see larger images
The model:
this Italeri kit is a real pleasure to build. The plastic is sturdy, the
parts go together very well, the canopy is very good, like the decals sheet as
well. There are two options, the USAAC one and an RAF machine. The interiors are
very complete, so I could built it straight from the box. Two stores are
provided, bombs or drop tanks. The interiors, the gear door and its legs were
painted in Interior Green 34151, Humbrol H.151; instruments panel and
radio were painted in black H.33 and the seat in 34092 (HB.1/30); uppersurfaces
were sprayed in Olive Drab 41 (faded) FS 34088 (Humbrol Hu.2/155), unders were
sprayed in Neutral Grey 43 FS 36173 (Humbrol 128). Due its "use in North
Africa", the model was well weathered: I used a black oil colour for all
the panels, inside if wheels bays, etc. and pastels for smokes (engine stains
and guns).
The decals are very good and come
without transparent base contours! they adhere very well and are of good
quality. With this model - the latest of my works, dated back some days ago -
I'realized a 154th U.S. ARMY TAC. (recon) Sqn. machine which flew in
Tunisia during 1943.
I' hope you like this my little
job; many greeting to all the ARC friends!
Paolo De Sanctis
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