P-51Bs of the 4th Fighter Group USAAF, RAF Debden, 334th FS, 335th FS, & 336th FS

Xtradecal,1/72 scale

Reviewed by Glen Porter

Background

The P-51B Mustang gave the USAAF an escort fighter with the abilities of the Spitfire but the range to escort their bombers all the way to Berlin. This was something they lacked from when the 8th Air Force first began operations from Great Britain at the cost of many good aircraft and crews.

The Decals

With at least two reasonably good P-51B/C kits in 1/72nd scale on the market, and it being one of the most popular of Allied subjects, there is always room for more decal options and who better than Xtradecal, one of Hannant's “in house” manufacturers who have been around long enough for the quality to be unquestioned.

The decals are gorgeous with markings for five aircraft and enough stencils for three.

The instructions, in full colour, have a few minor problems but nothing to stop a sale. First of all, the Olive Drab and Neutral Grey, in my opinion, are a little dark, especially for inside lighting. Next, the starboard profile of the fifth marking example, the one with D-Day stripes, has some white areas around the fuselage US National marking and squadron code which I think shouldn't be there. This is okay for the experienced modeller who will know it's just a printing error, but a newcomer may think it's part of the scheme. Lastly, A small inset  for the same aircraft shows which decals to use for the fuselage stripes mentions “Port: 101, Stbd: 102, Bottom of supercharger: 103. Now, I've checked out the whole sheet and can't find a 103 anywhere.

Decals are supplied for the black in the above D-Day stripes so you have to paint the white, but Xtradecal has thoughtfully put dimensions in the instructions to put the white in the right place to have the black decals fit.

The five aircraft involved begin with P-51B-5-NA, 43-68324, QP-K flown by  Capt. Victor J. France of 334th FS which was lost on the 18th of April 1944. This aircraft was in OD/NG with red spinner and nose, white ID stripes on all wings and tail, eight kill marks and art-work on the left side of the cockpit.

Next is an aircraft from the same Squadron, P51-B-5-NA, 43-6957 coded QP-M flown by Capt. Donald M. Malmsten from 4th of April 1944 but lost with another pilot on the 6.4.44. The Mustang, also in OD/NG with red spinner and nose, ID stripes on the wings but not on the tail.

A bare metal example from the 335th FS is next, P-51B-15-NA, 42-106911 coded WD-A flown by Maj. Pierce McKennon, April 1944. This aircraft has an OD anti glare panel above the nose, red spinner and nose, black ID stripes and art-work/score panel on the left side of the nose.

Another Mustang from the same Squadron (335th) but this time in OD/NG, P-51B-5-NA, 43-6579 coded WD-S with the same markings as the two OD aircraft above and art-work on the left side of the nose. Flown by Lt. Clemens E. Feidler, 18.8.43 until KIA at Romorontan, France.

Last of all, P-51B-5-NA, 43-6942 coded VF-D of the 336th FS flown by Capt. Joseph W. Higgins from the 17.4.44 to the 30.9.44. With the same OD/NG and markings as those above but this one has a Malcolm Hood, lower surface D-Day stripes and artwork on the left of the nose.

With decal quality of the highest order, full colour instructions with only minor problems, an interesting array of colour and marking options of one of the most popular Allied Single Engine Fighters of WW II, this 1/72nd scale decal sheet from Xtradecal is a very welcome addition to their range.

Thanks to Hannants for the review sample

Xtradecals are available online from Hannants' website

Review Text Copyright © 2009 by Glen Porter
This Page Created on 4 November, 2009
Last updated 4 November, 2009

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