Yoxford Boys #2
P-51D Mustang

Bullseye Model Aviation, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

Eagle Cals Spitfire Decals are available online from Squadron.com

Bullseye Model Aviation has just released four brand new decal sets for 1/48 scale P-51D Mustangs in service with the 357th Fighter Group. This unit was easily identified by their red and yellow nose checkers and striped spinners.

They are in perfect time for the excellent Eduard kits.

Tonight I am examining Yoxford Boys #2.

Nine marking options are offered. There are five P-51D-5s with no fin fillet, and four P-51D-10s with fin fillets.

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Two schemes are offered. One is a camouflage finish of RAF Dark Green upper surfaces with a high fuselage demarcation, and bare metal below. The second scheme is RAF Dark Green upper surfaces with low fuselage demarcation and RAF Medium Sea Grey below.

All except one of these aircraft wears lower surface invasion stripes.

Despite the nominal paint designations, the instructions go to some lengths to point out that there is no solid evidence that RAF stocks were used, and that some researchers believe that these aircraft were finished in Olive Drab and Neutral Grey, or that a combination of colours might have been employed.

The variation amongst the nine subjects is mainly in the nose art. Each subject features unique nose lettering, art, and/or kill markings. There is also one P-51D-5 with a yellow rudder and bare metal canopy frame.

There are two decal sheets. One has the codes, serials, nose checkers, spare individual checks and nose art.

The other supplies the two sets of national markings - one standard and one greyed out.

Both sheets are perfectly printed by Cartograf with a glossy finish.

Instructions are called out over four double-sided full colour letter-sized sheets. Each of the subjects are treated to large left and right profiles. A summary of the aircraft variant, pilot, unit, location and date are included with the profiles

There is an additional sheet with historical notes on the 357th FG and camouflage of their aircraft. Upper and lower views are on the reverse side of this sheet.

Research was done with the assistance of 357th FG Crew Chief Merle Olmstead , as well as Jim Anderson, John Soule and John Kerr. Artwork and technical assistnce was provided by fundekals, Mike Grant Decals and Eduard.

This is an extensively researched, high quality offering from Bullseye that will be warmly welcomed by Mustang fans in general and aficiandos of the 357th Fighter Group in particular.

Thanks to Bullseye Model Aviation for the sample.

Text Copyright © 2020 by Brett Green
Images Copyright © 2020 by Bullseye Model Aviation
This Page Created on 10 February, 2020
Last updated 12 February, 2020

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