RAAF Mustangs

by Gary Byk

The pictures herein showcase the three most recent Mustangs I have built in the past 18 months. All of them are Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) aircraft or the late-war and immediate post-war period. The Tamiya P-51D kit was used for all three, mainly because it was the kit to hand.

North American Aviation P-51K (Title Photo),
Mustang IV (RAF designation)
CV-P, KH677, 3 Squadron RAAF, Italy 1945

The Squadron CO, Squadron Leader P. ‘Murray’ Nash, DFC and Bar flew this aircraft, for around three weeks before he received a new aircraft, which was uncamouflaged. All of Squadron Leader Nash’s aircraft were coded P, standing for his first name, Percival. The model was finished in the appropriate American colours of Olive Drab (ANA 157-613), Sea Gray (ANA 157-603) and Light Gray (ANA 157-602), as these were the colours Mustang IVs were delivered in. Model Master paints were used for these colours. The interior was finished in accordance with the USAAC instructions of the period. The rudder was painted in RAAF Ensign Blue (approx FS 35190 but lighter) – I mixed this one. The spinner was painted red – close to FS21140. The fuselage band was painted with Xtracolor Sky BS318:C-210. The Red Roo Models decal sheet was used to complete the project. Testors Dullcote was used for the matt finish.

CAC Mk20 Mustang A68-71, HU-A,
78 Squadron, RAAF, late 1946

An early Australian built Mustang, this aircraft was finished in the RAAF’s standard ‘uncamouflaged’ scheme, with natural metal fuselage and panels, and aluminium doped wings and rudder. The anti-dazzle panel was matt black, creating the classic Australian Mustang colour scheme. The fuselage and other natural metal panels were painted with Humbrol 11 Fox Silver and given a coat of SC Johnson’s Magic Shine (that’s Future for all our Yank mates) to give a gloss finish. The doped areas were painted with Floquil Platinum Mist and finished with Testors Dullcote. The Red Roo Models decal sheet was used and once applied the wing roundels were given a coat of Shine Magic as well as the fuselage. The anti-dazzle panel was painted with Humbrol Matt Black – over the painted fuselage. The cockpit interior was painted to reflect the RAAF specified K3/322 RAAF Cockpit Green used on Australian-built Mustangs. Humbrol M108 is a fairly good match for this colour that is best described as a vibrant apple green! Australian-built Mustangs had only a clear position light instead of the usual American ‘traffic lights’. The IFF antenna was made from a toothbrush bristle and painted matt white.

North American Aviation P-51D,
A68-766 (44-84495),
82 Squadron RAAF, Iwakuni, Japan, 1948

This aircraft was flown by Flying Officer Bill Horsman and was unusual for a couple of reasons. Firstly, the wheel well interior was finished in Zinc Chromate and secondly, apart from the fabric rudder, matt black anti-dazzle panel and Royal Blue spinner, every other part of the aircraft surface, including the wings, was highly polished natural metal. The spinner was finished in an exceptionally dark blue, and Royal Blue BS318:C-106 fits the bill (so that’s what I used – actually an old and forgotten tin of Humbrol gloss dark blue). Once again, the fuselage was painted with Humbrol 11 Fox Silver and coated with Shine Magic for effect. Some four applications were needed to get the high degree of shine required. The actual aircraft was polished to within a natch-cock of its very existence! Each aircraft in 82 Squadron had a team of Japanese ground handlers assigned to it and these blokes were former Japanese military personnel, so it was a matter of intense pride for each team to have the CLEANEST aircraft on the flight line. BTW – the test was to place a clean rag on the high point of the wing and the aircraft was deemed clean if the rag slid, unaided of the wing to the ground! Polly Scale Zinc Chromate was used for the undercarriage bays. The Red Roo Models decal sheet was used for markings and codes.

After completing these three projects I turned my attention to some Spitfires and Mirages. More to follow, over…
 

Model, Text and Images Copyright © 2002 by Gary Byk
Page Created 03 June, 2002
Last Updated 03 June, 2002

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