Red Roo Models has released another fine new product to fill the gap in Royal Australian Air Force aircraft schemes.  The set is for the North American P-51C based in Italy late in WWII.  These schemes were probably some of the more colourful schemes applied to the Mustang C or D model while it was in Australian service.

The decals are superbly printed with good colour saturation, perfect register and thin carrier film.  My experience with Roo Decals in the past has been that the decals go on easily and snuggle down into the surface detail well.

Markings are provided for 6 aircraft:

• Mustang Mk.III, Serial Number KH631, CV-V of No 3 Squadron based in Italy in early 1945.  The aircraft is finished in the factory applied colours of ANA 613 Olive Drab and ANA 603 Sea Grey upper surfaces and ANA 602 Light Grey lower surfaces.  The rudder is painted in the 3 Sqn light blue with the white Southern Cross painted on it and the spinner is painted dull red.  The RAF Sky colour fuselage band has been painted out with a dark green but the sky colour is still visible behind the serial number.  This will require some detailed alignment and paint masking.

• Mustang Mk.III, Serial Number FB244, CV-V of No 3 Squadron based in Cervia Italy in early 1945.  The aircraft is one of early P-51C-1-NT repainted in RAF colours of BS381C:641 Dark Green and Ocean Grey upper surfaces and BS381C:637 Medium Sea Grey lower surfaces.  The rudder is painted in the 3 Sqn light blue with the white Southern Cross painted on it and the spinner is painted dull red. This aircraft has a small crocodile painted on the left side of the fin.

• Mustang Mk.III, Serial Number FB244, OK-F of No 450 Squadron based in Lavariano Italy in April 1945 after being transferred from No 3 Squadron.  The aircraft is still painted in the 3 Squadron colours and is in RAF colours of BS381C:641 Dark Green and Ocean Grey upper surfaces and BS381C:637 Medium Sea Grey lower surfaces.  The rudder is painted in the 3 Sqn light blue with the white Southern Cross painted on it and the spinner is painted dull red. This aircraft has a small crocodile painted on the left side of the fin.

• Mustang Mk.III, Serial Number KH616, CV-<> of No 3 Squadron based at Fano in Italy in December 1945.  The aircraft is finished in the factory applied colours of ANA 613 Olive Drab and ANA 603 Sea Grey upper surfaces and ANA 602 Light Grey lower surfaces.  The rudder is painted in the 3 Sqn light blue with the white Southern Cross painted on it and the spinner is painted dull red.  This aircraft has the RAF Sky colour fuselage band still remaining.

• Mustang Mk.III, Serial Number FB128, CV-<> of No 3 Squadron based in Lavariano Italy in April 1945.  The aircraft is painted in RAF colours of BS381C:641 Dark Green and Ocean Grey upper surfaces and BS381C:637 Medium Sea Grey lower surfaces.  The rudder is painted in the 3 Sqn light blue with the white Southern Cross painted on it and the spinner is painted dull red. This aircraft has the nose section just behind the spinner painted in white and has the RAF Sky colour fuselage band.  This aircraft is one of the two Mustang Mk.IIIs fitted with a Malcolm hood while serving in Italy.

• Mustang Mk.III, Serial Number FX880 OK, of No 450 Squadron based in Lavariano Italy in April 1945.  The aircraft is painted in RAF colours of BS381C:641 Dark Green and Ocean Grey upper surfaces and BS381C:637 Medium Sea Grey lower surfaces. There is a rectangle of lighter green paint on both sides of the cowling just behind the exhaust pipes. The spinner is painted dull red and has the RAF Sky colour fuselage band.  This aircraft is one of the two Mustang Mk.IIIs fitted with a Malcolm hood while serving in Italy.

Highly Recommended.

Thanks to Gary Byk at Red Roo Models for the review sample

Red Roo Models books, decals and accessories are available at Red Roo Models Website

Text and Images Copyright © 2008 by Mick Evans
Page Created 4 May, 2008
Last updated 4 May, 2008

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