To LooK or not to LooK; or maybe you just need some Space; Product Reviews – Eduard Photo Etch, LooK, and Space Instrument Panels.

The thought of using a paint brush to hand paint the details on a 1/48th scale instrument panel has just never appealed to me. I am assuming I could do a decent job, but maybe I just lack the patience for that work. Kit supplied decals for the instrument panels, at least for me, have never quite looked the part.

So, thank goodness for Eduard, and other companies, that continue to provide innovative products to help modelers increase the level of detail and realism of model cockpits. This will be a quick comparison of Eduard’s photoetch, LooK, and Space instrument panels for Eduard’s 1/48 P-51D Mustang.

Eduard’s Pre-Painted Photo Etch Instrument Panel: My first experience with a photo etch instrument panel came from Eduard’s photo etch set for Academy’s 1/72 Consolidated PBY-5A “Black Cat” Catalina kit. It was an unpainted brass instrument panel front and a clear piece of acetate with the dial faces painted on. I painted the brass front black and sealed it with clear coat, and then sandwiched the clear acetate between the painted instrument panel front and a white piece of plastic card stock cut to the shape of the instrument panel. It was finished with a small drop of Microscale Industries Micro Kristal Klear in each dial to simulate the glass. It was definitely a step up in appearance from just slapping the kit supplied decal on the instrument panel kit piece.

Now we have exquisitely pre-painted photo etch frets that come with all of the pieces to make a highly detailed instrument panel. The main portion of Eduard’s photo etch instrument panel in their P-51D Mustang kit comes in three pieces that are sandwiched together. Eduard has developed the technology to simulate the glass covering the dials on the middle piece so that you no longer need to use Micro Kristal Klear to simulate the glass. Very nice touch. Eduard’s photo etch frets that come in the Profipack boxings also come with seat belts, other cockpit pieces, and some exterior pieces.

Eduard 1/48 Photo Etch Parts from the “Very Long Range: Tales of Iwo Jima” Kit

The downside to using these pre-painted photo etch sets is that there are numerous small pieces that are difficult to handle and to get in place. Although I enjoy using photo-etch update sets, the smaller pieces can really test one’s patience.

Eduard’s LooK Instrument Panel: Eduard’s “LooK” instrument panels are cast in black resin with colour printed dials, bezels, switches, knobs and more. The benefit of these products is that they take very little time to separate from their casting block, clean-up and assemble. No painting, no little photo etch parts to attach, and they are drop fit replacement parts for whatever kit they are made for. The standard LooK package also come with Eduard’s pre-painted steel seatbelts. Eduard also produces a LooK Plus version that comes with resin pieces such as exhaust stacks, tires, etc. . .

Eduard 1/48 P-51D-15+ LooK Instrument Panel
Photo Etch Seat Belts that are included with LooK Instrument Panel

Eduard’s Space Instrument Panel: The Eduard Space product line are 3D instrument panels on decal sheets. These are decals that show actual relief of the instrument dial bezels, switches, toggles, etc . . . The sets not only come with the instrument panels, but also other cockpit details, and a fret of photo etch seat belt parts and levers.

Eduard

Do not soak or submerse the decals in water for very long as this will cause the decals to swell and distort. Eduard has provided a short article on how to apply the 3-D decals in their March 2021 edition of Info Eduard. The article can be found here: https://www.eduard.com/out/media/InfoEduard/archive/2021/info-eduard-2021-03eng-2.pdf.

Photo Etch Fret that is included with Space 3D Instrument Panel

Below are the finished instrument panels with the photo etch instrument panel on the left, the LooK instrument panel in the middle, and Space instrument panel on the right. All three look very nice.

My preference is the photo etch instrument panel due to the quality of the bezels around the instrument dials. To me, they just make the photo etch instrument panel more realistic, but I would have no problem using either the LooK or Space instrument panels. The Space instrument panel took about the same amount of time to create as the photo etch instrument panel did. If you are looking for a great looking instrument panel with the least amount of work, then the LooK instrument panel is your choice.

Comments regarding what your preferences are, and your likes and dislikes about these products are welcome!

Kudos to Eduard for continuing all three product lines, and giving modelers choices. I highly recommend all three products.

Next up: A review of new decals for 457th Fighter Squadron, 506th Fighter Group Mustangs from UpRise Decals.

Iwo Jima VLR Mustang Squadron Markings Part II ; 47th Fighter Squadron, 15th Fighter Group

Colonel James O. Beckwith in 15 “Squirt” (James O. Beckwith)

This is the second part of a nine part series on the markings of the VLR Mustang squadrons. Six of the nine squadrons changed their markings during their time on Iwo Jima after the 7th Fighter Command ordered the VLR Fighter Groups to adopt more simplified markings. The 47th Fighter Squadron was one of those squadrons.

The fuselage numbers for the 47th Fighter Squadron Mustangs were 150 through 199. During their time in the Central Pacific, the 47th FS adopted the nickname the “Dogpatchers”, and began naming their aircraft for the characters of the then popular comic strip “Li’l Abner” by Al Capps. When the 47th received its Mustangs, the squadron emblem was painted on the left side of the cowl, and the comic strip character on the right side.

S/Sgt. James N. Lindsay – Painter of the squadron emblem and the Li’l Abner cartoon character nose art for the 47th Fighter Squadron (W.H. Sparks)

Early Squadron Markings. Most references indicate that the early squadron markings for 47th FS Mustangs were yellow bordered black bands on the fuselage, wings and elevators; tails that were adorned with a yellow bordered black chevron; and yellow/black/yellow spinners. Black and white photos would seem to confirm this belief, but this might not be entirely accurate.

Eduard

Please note that Eduard suggests that the bands and chevron were not actually black, but most probably very dark blue. I do not have any squadron records in my possession to either confirm or deny this suggestion. Eduard’s recommended paint for this very dark blue is GSI Creos (GUNZE) Aqueous H328 or GSI Creos (GUNZE) Mr. Hobby C328, which are Gunze’s water based acrylic and lacquer based paints for U.S. Navy Blue Angels Blue.

I would like to suggest some alternative colors for this “very dark blue”. The 47th Fighter Squadron’s initial Mustangs were painted while the squadron was stationed on Hawaii before being deployed to Iwo Jima. The darkest blue paints they most likely had access to on Hawaii were the U.S. Navy’s stores of either Semi-Gloss Sea Blue (ANA 606), Non-Specular Sea Blue (ANA 607), or Glossy Sea Blue (ANA 623). Below is a plastic spoon painted with Vallejo Model Air Glossy Sea Blue 71.300 (ANA 623/FS 15042). Now that’s a very dark blue.

Vallejo Model Air Glossy Sea Blue 71.300 (ANA 623/FS 15042)

An advantage of using these late-war U.S. Navy blues is that they are readily available to the modeler through most model paint manufacturers. AK Interactive, Ammo of MiG, GUNZE, Hataka Hobby Paints, Humbrol, Mission Model Paints, Mr. Paint, Tamiya and Vallejo all carry at least one or two of these colors.

Now one more twist on the color of the bands: purple. What? Purple? Below is a still of color 16mm film taken on Iwo Jima after a 47th FS crash that Mark Stevens forwarded to me while I was doing research for this post. Mark stated that several members of the 47th FS indicated that the darker portion of the bands was either dark blue or purple. All very interesting; but not sure what to think about using purple.

7th Fighter Command Association via Mark Stevens

While I am not personally searching for a purple model paint, I would not question a modeler’s choice of purple based on what I see in the above photo and comments from veterans. I am really intrigued about using Glossy Sea Blue for the 47th FS bands and chevron.

Spinners: Under the early squadron markings, the spinners were either yellow at the very tip, then black (very dark blue or purple), and natural metal at the back; or yellow at the very tip, black (very dark blue or purple), and yellow at the back. Below are photos of 150 Li’l Butch and 167 Pappy Yochum clearly showing the back portion of the spinner being unpainted.

150 “Li’l Butch” (USAAF/National Archives via Fold3)
Lt. Robert Scamara in 167 “Pappy Yokum” (USAAF/National Archives via Fold3)

The next two photos show the back portion of the spinner being painted. Always check reference photos for the markings of the particular plane you are modeling as there was a surprising lack of uniformity between planes in the same squadron.

USAAF/National Archives via Fold3

The front and back colors of the spinner on Hairless Joe appear to the be same color.

159 “Hairless Joe” (USAAF/National Archives via Fold3)

If you are going to build a 47th FS Mustang with the early markings and the flaps dropped, please note the two photos below. It appears that the 47th FS painted the bands on the wings with the flaps lowered.

USAAF/National Archives via Fold3
USAAF/National Archives via Fold3

So, would it be wrong for you to use black for the bands, chevron and spinner? In my opinion, black is still an option. Other than the movie still above with what looks to be a purple fuselage band a tail chevron, the use of very dark blue or purple by the 47th FS appears mostly anecdotal. Therefore, I believe it is difficult to arrive at a definitive conclusion unless squadron records were to provide the answer. No criticism here if black were to be used.

Late Squadron Markings: The simplified squadron markings for the 47th FS were black tips on the wings, horizontal stabilizers, and tail, and an all black spinner. These squadron markings provide some credibility to the opinion that the bands and chevron of the early squadron markings might have been black.

Eduard

Below are two photos of 47th FS Mustangs with all black spinners. Note on the second photo that right landing gear leg and the inside of the landing gear door appear to have a dark band painted on them. Unfortunately, the ground crew are standing in front of the left landing gear.

7th Fighter Command Association via Mark Stevens
7th Fighter Command Association via Mark Stevens

The photo below shows three rows of 47th FS Mustangs with Mt. Surbachi in the background. This is an interesting photo due to the varied markings on the planes. The drop tanks between the second and third rows are the 165 gallon P-38 type tanks.

7th Fighter Command Association via Mark Stevens

I have zoomed in on each row to show the period of transition between the early and late squadron markings. This first row has a Mustang with late squadron tail and wing tips, but with the early squadron black and yellow spinner; a Mustang with no markings except the squadron emblem; a Mustang with complete simplified late squadron markings; and a Mustang with the early squadron black and yellow spinner and chevron but with no fuselage or wing bands.

7th Fighter Command Association via Mark Stevens

The second row has three Mustangs with the early squadron black and yellow spinner and chevron but with no fuselage or wing bands, and a Mustang with the simplified late squadron markings. I cannot make out the markings on the last Mustang.

7th Fighter Command Association via Mark Stevens

The third row has three Mustangs with the early squadron black and yellow spinner and chevron but with no fuselage or wing bands, and a Mustang with no markings. Removing the early squadron markings had to be a tedious and unpleasant task.

7th Fighter Command Association via Mark Stevens

The squadron emblem was a devilish looking hornet breathing fire, riding a lightning bolt on a blue background.

47th Fighter Squadron Emblem

Below is a nice photo of 150 Li’l Butch showing the size and location of the squadron emblem.

Captain Robert R. Downs and Ground Crew with 150 “Li’l Butch” (7th Fighter Command Association via Mark Stevens)

You may have noticed that the photo of Col. James O. Beckwith’s Squirt and Eduard’s profile of Lt. Col. John W. Mitchell’s Annie Lee have non-standard two digit fuselage numbers even though adorned with 47th FS markings. After Col. Beckwith became the commanding officer of the 15th Fighter Group, all of his planes had 15 for a fuselage number to signify his leadership of the group. Lt. Col. Mitchell became the commanding officer for the 15th Fighter Group after Col. Beckwith’s successor, Lt. Col. Jack Thomas, was killed in action on the July 19, 1945 strike mission. I am not aware of the reason or significance of the fuselage number “11” on Annie Lee.

As always, a big thank you to Mark Stevens of the 7th Fighter Command Association for all of his assistance.

References:

1. The Long Campaign: The History of the 15th Fighter Group in World War II, John W. Lambert, Schaffer Publishing Ltd. (2006).

2. The Pineapple Air Force: Pearl Harbor to Tokyo; John W. Lambert; Schaffer Publishing Ltd (2006).

3. Very Long Range P-51 Mustang Units of the Pacific War; Carl Molesworth; Osprey Publishing Limited (2006).

Next up: A comparison of Eduard instrument panels.

As a condition of the use of materials from the 7th Fighter Command Association website, the following disclaimer is included: Permission to use, copy and distribute documents delivered from this Worldwide Web server and related graphics is hereby granted, provided 1) That the use of the data will not be used for obtaining a profit of any kind, and 2) That the above disclaimer notice appear in all copies and that both that disclaimer notice and this permission notice appear. All other rights reserved. The name of “7th Fighter Command Association” may not be used in advertising or publicity pertaining to distribution of this information without specific, written prior permission. Mark Stevens and the 7th Fighter Command Association makes no representations about the suitability of this information for any purpose. It is provided “as is” without express or implied warranty. Mark Stevens and the 7th Fighter Command Association disclaim all warranties with regard to this information, including all implied warranties of merchantability and fitness. In no event shall Mark Stevens or the 7th Fighter Command Association be liable for any special, indirect or consequential damages or any damages whatsoever resulting from loss of use, data or profits, whether in an action of contract, negligence or other action, arising out of or in connection with the use or performance of this information.

Aftermarket Product Review: Brengun’s 1/72nd 110 Gallon Drop Tanks – BRL 72270

The good folks at Brengun recently released a set of 1/72nd resin 110 gallon drop tanks with photo etched detail parts and decals. Brengun is a Czech model manufacturer known for its extensive line of photo etch and resin update sets for airplane models. Brengun also produces airplane kits in 1/144th, 1/72nd and 1/48th scales.

I was very excited to learn of Brengun’s release and purchased a set off of eBay for this review. To my knowledge, no kit or aftermarket manufacturer has produced an accurate set of 1/72nd scale 110 gallon drop tanks previously.

Brengun

The drop tanks are beautifully cast with the correct details. The photo etch fret include the sway braces, the flat metal pieces that sit across the tanks and hold the sway braces in place, and the fuel filler caps. For those small pieces, extras are provided in case of loss to the carpet monster. Nice touch on Brengun’s part. The decals are accurate for the markings on the tank, and again, extras are provided.

The set comes with a small instruction sheet that shows the correct placement of the decals and photo etch parts. More importantly, the instruction sheet shows the placement of the photo etch parts to achieve a correct installation of the sway braces. Test fit everything before installing the sway braces to determine the best placement for the model you are building.

Brengun

Below are two USAAF photos showing the correct placement of the sway braces and the front metal piece that holds the sway braces in place.

USAAF/National Archives via Fold3
USAAF/National Archives via Fold3

Brengun has some CAD drawings of the tanks with the sway braces on their website, but do not rely on these drawings as they fail to show the correct placement of the sway braces. Rely on the instruction sheet for the correct placement of the sway braces.

It did not take long to remove the casting blocks and clean up the area where the pour stubs are located. There are a few pin holes that will need to to filled around the area of the pour stubs as can be seen in the photos below, but nothing cannot be filled easily and sanded quickly.

As can be seen in the photos above, the detail that represents the rim that goes around the entire tank was missing at the front on one of the tanks where the pour stubs were located. The other tank was fine. This is a quick fix with stretched sprue, and to be truthful, it is hard not to damage that detail when removing the pour stubs and cleaning up the front end of the tank.

Below is a photo of one of the tanks with the pin holes filled and sanded, and the missing/damaged detail repaired with stretched sprue.

These tanks are accurate in shape and detail. With the addition of the photo etch sway braces, they look every bit the part. If you have an Academy, Airfix, Hasegawa, Hobby Boss, Revell, or Tamiya 1/72nd scale P-51D Mustang and want to build a Iwo Jima VLR Mustang, you no longer have to settle for a kit’s 75 gallon drop tanks which were not used by the Iwo Jima VLR Mustang Groups. Highly recommended. Kudos to Brengun!

A superb follow-up on Brengun’s part would be an accurate set of 165 gallon drop tanks with sway braces in 1/72nd scale.

Next up: Squadron markings for the 47th Fighter Squadron, 15th Fighter Group.

Iwo Jima VLR Mustang Squadron Markings Part I ; 45th Fighter Squadron, 15th Fighter Group

45th Fighter Squadron Mustangs with 110 gallon drop tanks on their way from Saipan to Iwo Jima (USAAF/National Archives via Fold3)

This is the first part of a nine part series on the markings of the VLR Mustang squadrons. Six of the nine squadrons changed their markings during their time on Iwo Jima after the 7th Fighter Command ordered the VLR Fighter Groups to adopt more simplified markings. The 45th Fighter Squadron was one of those squadrons.

I will be using the aircraft profiles from Eduard’s “Very Long Range: Tales of Iwo Jima” limited edition kit for two reasons. First, they cover all nine VLR squadrons, and second, the profiles are very accurate.

The fuselage numbers for the 45th Fighter Squadron Mustangs were 50 through 99.

Early Squadron Markings. The early squadron markings were black bordered green diagonal bands on the wings and tail, and a green/black/green/natural metal spinner. These markings were applied on Hawaii after the 45th FS transitioned from Republic P-47D Thunderbolts to the North American P-51D Mustangs.

Eduard

The photo below shows the 45th FS Mustangs below deck on the USS Sitkoh Bay (CVE 86) during their transport from Hawaii to Saipan in January 1945. Note wing bands wrapping around the leading edge of the wing just before the wheel wells, and that the squadron emblem was applied on both sides of the cowl. Also of interest is the installation of the 110 gallon drop tanks along with the sway braces, and the single mast antenna. The dual Uncle Dog antennae were not installed on the 15th FG Mustangs until after they arrived on Iwo Jima.

45th FS Mustangs below deck of the USS Sitkoh Bay (CVE 86) (7th Fighter Command Association via Mark Stevens)

If you are going to build a 45th FS Mustang with the early markings and the flaps dropped, please note the photo below. The diagonal wings bands on the flaps are slightly offset when the flaps are dropped. Whether you are using decals for the diagonal wing bands or painting them, it is best to do so with the flaps in the up position. After that application is completed, then the flaps can be dropped.

USAAF/National Archives via Fold3

The photo below shows some additional insights into the early markings of the 45th FS. First, the photo confirms that the black bordered green diagonal bands were also on the underside of the wing. Second is the 15th Fighter Group’s practice of painting the fuselage number on the outer landing gear doors. As the photo shows, this practice was not universal, and was later abandoned after plane maintenance requirements quickly overtook other activities on Iwo Jima. The Mustang burning in the background of this photo is 86 “Foxy” (Serial No. 44-63474). “Foxy” was involved in a landing accident on March 10, 1945. SuperScale produces a decal sheet that includes the markings for “Foxy” and my review of that decal sheet can be found here: https://iwojimamodels.com/2020/10/11/decal-review-superscale-decals-p-51d-mustangs-48-1153/. DK Decals produces decals for 77 “San Antonio Rose” in both 1/72 and 1/48 scales, and my reviews of those decal sheets can be found here: https://iwojimamodels.com/2020/12/08/decal-review-dkdecals-p-51d-mustang-very-long-range-p-51-units-iwo-jima-1945-72087/, and here: https://iwojimamodels.com/2020/12/05/decal-review-dkdecals-p-51d-mustang-vlr-units-iwo-jima-1945-48029/

USAAF/National Archives via Fold3

Late Squadron Markings. In May of 1945, the 7th Fighter Command issued orders requiring the Iwo Jima VLR Mustang groups to adopt more simplified markings. The black bordered green diagonal bands were replaced by green tail and wing tips and a solid green propeller spinner as shown in Eduard’s profile of “Stinger VII” and the photos below. These orders must have been seen in a positive light on behalf of ground crews as the majority of time was consumed by attempting to keep their planes combat worthy leaving little time for painting time consuming squadron markings.

Eduard
67 “Stinger VII” (7th Fighter Command Association via Mark Stevens)
The tail of 67 “Stinger VII” (7th Fighter Command Association via Mark Stevens)

Squadron Emblem. The early 45th FS emblem was an American Indian brave wielding a hatchet and riding a plane that was meant to look like a P-40 Warhawk on a yellow background. We start seeing these emblems applied to 45th FS P-40Ns during an earlier tour in the Central Pacific. The early squadron emblem looked something similar to the squadron patch below.

Early 45th Fighter Squadron Emblem

As the 45th FS transitioned to P-51D Mustangs in Hawaii before deploying to Iwo Jima, the squadron emblem changed slightly. The American Indian brave stayed the same in appearance, but now he is riding a plane that is meant to look like a P-51D Mustang. I could not find a good period photo of the new squadron emblem, but it is accurately represented by DK Decals as shown below.

DK Decals

Very few decal sheets, either kit or aftermarket, provide the diagonal wing and tail bands. So what color do you use for the green? Eduard recommends either Mr. Color Russian Green (135) or Mission Model Paints Resedagrun RAL 6011 (MMP-018). Below are color chips from the respective paint manufacturers. The Russian Green by Mr. Color looks very good to my eye.

Mr. Color 135 (Russian Green)
Mission Model Paints MMP-018 (Resedagrun RAL 6011)

Another option is Willow Green (FS14187/ANA 503). Willow Green was originally used by the U.S. Navy in some of their colorful pre-war paint schemes. Both Mr. Paint (MRP-385) and Hataka Hobby (HTK-C221) include Willow Green as part of their lines of hobby paints.

Mr. Paint Willow Green (MRP-385)

My comparison of these two paints can be found here: https://iwojimamodels.com/2020/03/15/paint-comparison-hataka-hobby-orange-line-and-mrp-mr-paint-lacquers/. Both are excellent paints.

Hataka Hobby Willow Green (HTK-221)

As always, a big thank you to Mark Stevens of the 7th Fighter Command Association for all of his assistance.

References:

1. The Long Campaign: The History of the 15th Fighter Group in World War II, John W. Lambert, Schaffer Publishing Ltd. (2006).

2. The Pineapple Air Force: Pearl Harbor to Tokyo; John W. Lambert; Schaffer Publishing Ltd (2006).

3. Very Long Range P-51 Mustang Units of the Pacific War; Carl Molesworth; Osprey Publishing Limited (2006).

As a condition of the use of materials from the 7th Fighter Command Association website, the following disclaimer is included: Permission to use, copy and distribute documents delivered from this Worldwide Web server and related graphics is hereby granted, provided 1) That the use of the data will not be used for obtaining a profit of any kind, and 2) That the above disclaimer notice appear in all copies and that both that disclaimer notice and this permission notice appear. All other rights reserved. The name of “7th Fighter Command Association” may not be used in advertising or publicity pertaining to distribution of this information without specific, written prior permission. Mark Stevens and the 7th Fighter Command Association makes no representations about the suitability of this information for any purpose. It is provided “as is” without express or implied warranty. Mark Stevens and the 7th Fighter Command Association disclaim all warranties with regard to this information, including all implied warranties of merchantability and fitness. In no event shall Mark Stevens or the 7th Fighter Command Association be liable for any special, indirect or consequential damages or any damages whatsoever resulting from loss of use, data or profits, whether in an action of contract, negligence or other action, arising out of or in connection with the use or performance of this information.

Mark L. Rossmann’s 1/48 Tamiya and ICM P-51D Mustangs; 457th Fighter Squadron, 506th Fighter Group

Mark Rossmann is back with two 1/48 North American P-51D Mustangs from Tamiya and ICM. In this dual build, Mark covers both marking options for Mustangs of the 457th Fighter Squadron, 506th Fighter Group; the early striped tail and the later solid tail.

Mark L. Rossmann

Initially released in 1995, Tamiya’s 1/48 North American P-51D Mustang was a significant improvement over prior kits in the areas of accuracy, details, and engineering. Many of these kits have been built over the years and a lot show up on model forums. For beginners or novices with just basic skill sets, it can be built into a really nice kit worth sharing with the rest of the world. For those with advanced detailing or scratch building skills, the kit can be transformed into competition winning model. Even by today’s standards, it is still an excellent kit.

Mark L. Rossmann

Mark has used the Tamiya kit to build 531 “Nip Nocker”, a P-51D-20-NA (Serial No. 44-63291) assigned to 1st Lieutenant Wesley A. Murphey, Jr. 1st Lt. Murphey shot down a Nakajima Ki-44 Shoki (Demon), and damaged a Mitsubishi A6M Zero on the July 16, 1945 VLR strike mission to the Nagoya/Bay of Ise area. It is not known if “Nip Nocker” was assigned to another pilot in addition to 1st Lt. Murphey. Unfortunately, official squadron and group records do not go into that level of detail.

1st Lt. Wesley A. Murphy, Jr. and 531 “Nip Nocker” (via 506th Fighter Group Association)

1st Lt. Murphey would continue his service to his country in the Air National Guard during which time he would attain the rank of Captain. He also served as a civilian instructor pilot for the United States Air Force, and ended his career at the Federal Aviation Administration. 1st Lt. Murphey passed away at the age of 89 on March 30, 2007 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Mark L. Rossmann
This photo shows that the name “Nip Nocker” was on both sides of the nose (506th Fighter Group Association via John Benbow)

Mark used SuperScale Decals 1/48 “P-51D Mustangs 457th FS/506th FG, Iwo Jima” (48-1152) decal sheet for the markings. My review of this decal sheet can be found here: https://iwojimamodels.com/2020/08/22/decal-review-superscale-decals-1-48-p-51d-mustangs-457th-fs-506th-fg-iwo-jima-48-1152/ The tail stripes are on this decal sheet and were specifically designed for the Tamiya kit. If you are wanting to build an early striped tail 457th FS Mustang without having to do all of the tedious masking, this decal sheet is what you need.

Mark L. Rossmann

For his solid tail 457th FS Mustang, Mark used the ICM kit to build 527 “Hel-Eter/Lil-Toddie” (44-72557), a P-51D-20 NA. ICM’s 1/48 North American P-51D Mustang is basically the same kit as the Tamiya kit, and therefore, can be built into a very nice model.

Mark L. Rossmann

Mark used the decals from AeroMaster’s The Very Long Range Escorts “The Iwo Jima Mustangs” Fancy Art Part 2 (48-795) for this build. A nice decal sheet, and the only after market decals for 527 “Hel-Eter/Lil-Toddie”. No other kit, in any scale, contains decals for this Iwo Jima VLR Mustang.

AeroMaster Decals

While this decal sheet has been long out of production, you can still find it on eBay from time to time.

Mark L. Rossmann

“Hel-Eter/Lil Toddie” was first assigned to 1st Lt. John W. Winnen and 1st Lt. Philip G. Alston. The plane name “Hel-Eter” was a combination of shortened names of the 1st Lt. Winnen’s wife Helen and son Peter.

1st Lt. John W. Winnen in the cockpit of 527 “Hel-Eter/Lil Toddie” with Crew Chief Staff Sgt. Jaynes Gandy on the wing (506th Fighter Group Association via John Benbow)

Two other pilots are known to have flown 527 “Hel-Eter/Lil Toddie”; 1st Lt. Warren Clayton and 1st Lt. Denny O’Hearn. I have not been able to find any records regarding if, and when 1st Lts. Clayton and O’Hearn were assigned to fly 527 “Hel-Eter/Lil Toddie”, but there is good evidence to suggest that was the case.

1st Lt. Warren Clayton and Crew Chief Sgt. Simon sitting on the wing of 527 “Hel-Eter/Lil Toddie” (506th Fighter Group Association via John Benbow)

Warren Clayton wrote on the back of the above photo: “Hel-Eter, crew chief Sgt. Simon, and me. Good combination, Warren”. This strongly suggests that 1st Lt. Clayton was assigned to fly this plane.

Mark L. Rossmann

However, as was common in other theaters of operation, a pilot might fly a plane was he was not assigned due to the availability of planes for a mission. A good example of this was 1st Lt. Chauncey Newcomb. 1st Lt. Newcomb was assigned to 514 “Erma Lou” with 1st Lt. Francis Albrecht, but scored his two aerial victories in 522 “BuzzBuddy”.

A 505th BG Boeing B-29 Superfortress escorted by 527 “Hel-Etr/Lil Toodie”, a 457th FS/506th FG North American P-51D-20NA Mustang, piloted by 1st Lt. Denny O’Hearn (USAAF/National Archives via Fold3)
Mark L. Rossmann

Thanks again to Mark Rossmann for sharing his dual 457th FS builds with us!