Book Review: “Very Long Range P-51 Mustang Units of the Pacific War” by Carl Molesworth

On August 29, 2020August 29, 2020 By acarothersvlrmIn Book ReviewsLeave a comment

Published in 2006 by Osprey Publishing as part of their Aviation Elite Units series, this softbound book has 128 pages and 30 color aircraft profiles. Written by noted aviation historian and author, Carl Molesworth, the book focuses on the air war over Japan as fought by the 15th, 21st, and 506th Fighter Groups after their arrival on Iwo Jima through the end of World War II. The text is supplemented with numerous photographs, many from the private collections of pilots who flew the dangerous and grueling VLR missions.

As is common with Osprey aviation titles, aircraft profiles by Jim Laurier are included. The profiles are very nicely done and equally cover all nine squadrons of the three groups.

The following aircraft are included in the profiles:

North American P-51D-20-NA Mustang, Serial No. 44-64015; 15 Squirt, flown by Col. James O. Beckwith, CO of 15th FG, 7th AF.

North American P-51D-20-NA Mustang, Serial No. 44-63483; 67 Tom Kat, flown by Maj. Gilmer L. “Buck” Snipes, 45th FS, 15th FG, 7th AF.

North American P-51D-20-NA Mustang, Serial No. 44-63438; 77 San Antonia Rose, flown by 2nd Lt. C. Douglas Reese, 45th FS, 15th FG, 7th AF.

North American P-51D-20-NA Mustang, Serial No. 44-63483; 67 Stinger VII, flown by Robert W. “Todd” Moore, 45th FS, 15th FG, 7th AF.

North American P-51D-20-NA Mustang, Serial No. 44-63822; 150 Lil Butch, flown by Cap. Walter H. “Sam” Powell, 47th FS, 15th FG, 7th AF.

North American P-51D-20-NA Mustang, Serial No. 44-63972; 185 Black Rufe, flown by 1st Lt. W. Hayden Sparks, 47th FS, 15th FG, 7th AF.

North American P-51D-20-NA Mustang, Serial No. 44-63619; 169 Danny Dawgmeat, flown by 1st Lt. Harry M. Tyler, 47th FS, 15th FG, 7th AF.

North American P-51D-20-NA Mustang, Serial No. 44-63973; 100, Jeanne VIII, flown by Maj. James M. Vande Hey, 78th FS, 15th FG, 7th AF.

North American P-51D-20-NA Mustang, Serial No. 44-63353; 124 Button-II, flown by 1st Lt. Doyle T. Brooks, Jr., 78th FS, 15th FG, 7th AF.

North American P-51D-25-NA Mustang, Serial No. 44-72641; 104 Sweet Rosalee, flown by 2nd Lt. Joseph P. Gutierrez, 78th FS, 15th FG, 7th AF.

North American P-51D-20-NA Mustang, Serial No. 44-63755; 200 Miss Gene V, flown by Maj. Fred A. Shirley, 46th FS, 21st FG, 7th AF.

North American P-51D-20-NA Mustang, Serial No. 44-63719; 202 Little Maggie, flown by 1st Lt. Victor F. Kilkowski, 46th FS, 21st FG, 7th AF.

North American P-51D-20-NA Mustang, Serial No. 44-63898; 208 “AbORTion”, flown by Cap. Jack K. Ort, 46th FS, 21st FG, 7th AF.

North American P-51D-20-NA Mustang, Serial No. 44-63451; 227 Mary Alyce/My Miss Moe, flown by 1st Lts. Robert J. Lowers and John E. Montgomery III, 46th FS, 21st FG, 7th AF.

North American P-51D-20-NA Mustang, Serial No. 44-63733; 250 Dede Lou, flown by Maj. Paul W. Imig, 72nd FS, 21st FG, 7th AF.

North American P-51D-20-NA Mustang, Serial No. 44-63756; 254 Sharpie, flown by 1st Lt. Robert C. Sterritt, 72nd FS, 21st FG, 7th AF.

North American P-51D-20-NA Mustang, Serial No. 44-63975; 256 Fertile Myrtle, flown by 1st Lt. Clarence H. “Bud” Bell, 72nd FS, 21st FG, 7th AF.

North American P-51D-25-NA Mustang, Serial No. 44-73623; 300 My Achin! Ass, flown by Maj. Harry C. Crim, Jr., 531st FS, 21st FG, 7th AF.

North American P-51D-20-NA Mustang, Serial No. 44-63781; 305 Shrimp IV, Cap. Charles G. Betz, 531st FS, 21st FG, 7th AF.

North American P-51D-20-NA Mustang, Serial No. 44-63934; 313, flown by 1st Lt. John F. Galbraith, 531st FS, 21st FG, 7th AF.

North American P-51D-20-NA Mustang, Serial No. 44-72557; 527 HEL-ETER, flown by 1st Lts. John W. Winnen/Philip G. Alston/Warren Clayton/Denny O’Hearn, 457th FS, 506th FG, 7th AF.

North American P-51D-20-NA Mustang, Serial No. 44-63291; 531 “Nip ‘Nocker”, flown by 1st Lt. Wesley A. Murphy, Jr., 457th FS, 506th FG, 7th AF.

North American P-51D-20-NA Mustang, Serial No. 44-72854; 540 Kwitcherbitchin, flown by Capts. William B. Lawrence, Jr. and Alan J. Kinvig, 457th FS, 506th FG, 7th AF.

North American P-51D-20-NA Mustang, Serial No. 44-72607; 555 Madam Wham-Dam, flown by Maj. Harrison E. Shipman, 458th FS, 506th FG, 7th AF.

North American P-51D-20-NA Mustang, Serial No. 44-72561; 552 Mrs. Beak, flown by 1st Lt. Edward H. Mikes, Jr., 458th FS, 506th FG, 7th AF.

North American P-51D-20-NA Mustang, Serial No. 44-72558; 556 The Boll Weevil/“A Neat Package”, flown by 1st Lt. Bennett C. Commer and 2nd Lt. Henry J. Seegers, Jr., 458th FS, 506th FG, 7th AF.

North American P-51D-20-NA Mustang, Serial No. 44-72547; 600 Tallahassee Lassie, flown by Maj. Thomas D. DeJarnette and Lt. Col. Harley Brown, 462nd FS, 506th FG, 7th AF.

North American P-51D-20-NA Mustang, Serial No. 44-72588; 616 Shanghai Lil, flown by 1st Lts. Darrell S. Bash and Edward J. Linfante, 462nd FS, 506th FG, 7th AF.

North American P-51D-20-NA Mustang, Serial No. 44-72587; 619 Hon. Mistake, flown by 1st Lts. James R. Bercaw and William G. Ebersole, 462nd FS, 506th FG, 7th AF.

North American P-51D-20-NA Mustang, Serial No. 44-72855; 643 Providence Permittin’, flown by 1st Lts. Allen F. Colley and Leonard A. Diets, 462nd FS, 506th FG, 7th AF.

This is an excellent reference book and a great read. Highly recommended and a must have if you are interested in the Iwo Jima VLR Mustang groups or the air war in the Pacific theater of operations.

This book is still being published and can be purchased directly from Osprey’s website (https://ospreypublishing.com/), or from any number of on-line book sellers. If you are not a page turner, it can also be purchased as an eBook in either an ePub or PDF format from Osprey’s website.

Decal Review: SuperScale Decals 1/48 P-51D Mustangs 457th FS/506th FG, Iwo Jima (48-1152)

On August 22, 2020September 20, 2022 By acarothersvlrmIn Decal Reviews, SuperScale Decals2 Comments

With an accurate 1/48 Iwo Jima VLR P-51D Mustang on the market, I am inclined to believe that we will see more completed builds of VLR Mustangs on modeling forums and at model contests. In addition to the decals included in the Eduard kits, and aftermarket decals recently released by DK Decals, there are a number of older decal sheets with VLR Mustangs that are still produced or available on the secondary market like eBay.

The first decal sheet with Iwo Jima VLR Mustangs released by SuperScale is sheet number 48-1152 which has two 457th FS, 506th FG Mustangs; 540 “Kwitcherbitchin” and 531 “Nip Nocker”.

The decals are very nicely done, in register, and come with some of the more common stencil markings.

540 “Kwitcherbitchin” – “Kwitcherbitchin” was a P-51D -25-NA (Serial No. 44-72854) assigned to Captain William B. Lawrence, Jr., and Captain Alan J. Kinvig. Captain Lawrence shot down a single engine Japanese fighter on the July 16, 1945 VLR strike mission to the Nagoya/Bay of Ise area. The photo below was most likely taken shortly after the 506th arrived on Iwo Jima in mid-May of 1945 because the plane still has the early green striped tail markings and no mission markings. From left to right: Captain John W.L. Benbow, unknown ground crew member, Crew Chief George Wagner, and Captain William B. Lawrence, Jr. This is a nice picture showing the installation of the 110 metal drop tanks with the sway braces.

***540 “Kwitcherbitchin” (via 506th Fighter Group Association)***

The two photos below show “Kwitcherbitchin” with a solid green tail, and were most likely taken after the July 16th Nagoya/Bay of Ise VLR strike mission as both photos show an aerial victory marking.

531 “Nip Nocker” – “Nip Nocker” was 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.

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

It is unknown as to whether 531 “Nip Nocker” was assigned to another 457th FS pilot. The photo below of the starboard side of the plane shows that the name “Nip Nocker” was on both sides of the nose. This suggests that 531 may have been assigned just to 1st Lt. Murphey. Unfortunately, squadron records do not go into that level of detail.

***531 “Nip Nocker” on the 457th FS flight line (via 506th Fighter Group Association)***

This photo also shows one of the shortcomings of this decal sheet. The sheet only provides one decal for the name “Nip Nocker”. This is not a criticism of SuperScale. This photo has not shown up on the internet and was probably unknown to SuperScale at the time they manufactured this decal sheet in 2006.

The only other shortcoming in this decal sheet is the squadron emblem. Please note that existing photos for both aircraft show that the 457th Squadron emblems (an angry hornet carrying a 50 caliber machine gun and wielding a hatchet and pistol) were never completed. This appears to have been a common occurrence of 457th FS aircraft. Many photos of 457th FS P-51Ds show the emblem background painted on without the hornet and it’s weapons.

***457th Fighter Squadron Badge/Emblem***

First released in 2006, this is a very nice decal sheet that is still being produced, and it is the only decal sheet on the market for “Nip Nocker” in any scale. 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.

Kit Review: Eduard’s 1/48 P-51D Mustang “Very Long Range: Tales of Iwo Jima” Limited Edition Boxing

On August 5, 2020August 5, 2020 By acarothersvlrmIn Kit Reviews5 Comments

I received my Eduard “Very Long Range: Tales of Iwo Jima” Limited Edition boxing yesterday from Sprue Brothers. As previously disclosed by Eduard, this boxing includes twelve different decal options that cover all nine squadrons of the three Iwo Jima VLR Mustang groups. For the profiles of the aircraft included in this boxing, see my previous post “Eduard’s Iwo Jima VLR Mustang Boxing – Very Long Range: Tales of Iwojima” under Kit/Product News. Below are the decals included in the kit, which are extremely well researched and are in register. Again, kudos to Eduard for covering all nine squadrons of the three Iwo Jima VLR Mustang groups.

As has been Eduard’s practice when issuing limited edition or dual combo kits, they normally include some resin parts as an extra bonus. Eduard does not disappoint with this boxing. Included in the kit are beautifully cast resin wheels, including a tail wheel, and rocket stubs in case you want to step-up the detail in building a rocket carrying VLR Mustang.

The photo-etch parts include the customary interior parts to spruce up the cockpit, and an additional fret that includes the exterior stiffening plates that were added to the underside of the wings when VLR Mustangs were modified on Iwo Jima to carry HVAR rockets. A really nice touch on Eduard’s part.

Finally, Eduard has included a lapel pin with the 78th FS Bushmaster emblem. Again, nice touch. While I doubt too many people will actually use it as a lapel pin, you may see some at airshows and model contests.

A few comments about some of the aircraft included in this boxing. The 47th FS plane is 176 “Moonbeam McSwine” flown by Captain Eurich L. Bright. In the notes, Eduard comments that the dark parts of the unit markings (fuselage and wing bands, and tail wedge) were most probably very dark blue, and not black. This is news to me so I am curious as to where Eduard came across this information. If you are going to paint the unit markings with a dark blue instead of black, I would recommend using Dark Sea Blue (ANA 623/FS15042); the same color used on late war Grumman F6F-5 Hellcats.

The kit also includes decals for Lt. Col. John W. Mitchell’s 11 “Annie Lee”, a P-51D-25NA Mustang (Serial No. 44-73382). Lt. Col. Mitchell was the Commander of the 15th FG from July 19, 1945 to the end of the war. Eduard’s notes indicate that this was a 78th FS plane, but that does not appear to be consistent with the standardized late war markings of a yellow spinner, unbordered yellow wingtips and horizontal stabilizers, and a yellow fin/rudder top. So my assumption is that this aircraft was a 47th FS aircraft. I looked back through my reference materials and photographs, and I only have one photo of 11 “Annie Lee” which just shows the cockpit area and not any of the squadron markings. Nor could I find a picture of a 47th FS Mustang with a black spinner, black wingtips and horizontal stabilizers, and a black fin/rudder top. Time to do a little more research on squadron markings.

If you are interested in building an Iwo Jima VLR Mustang, this kit is highly recommended. Not only are all of the necessary parts to build a VLR Mustang present, but you also get twelve decal options that cover all nine squadrons of the three VLR Mustang groups. In my mind, the decals alone justify the cost of the kit. I am not sure how many kits Eduard produced as part of this Limited Edition offering, but Sprue Brothers sold out of the kit in just four days.

For those of you that are interested in the history of the Iwo Jima VLR Mustang Groups, check out the article/interview of 1st Lt. William G. “Bill” Ebersole in the August 2020 edition Eduard’s on-line magazine INFO Eduard. The article/interview is entitled “The Tales of Very Long Range Bill”. The interview was conducted by 506th Fighter Group Historian Brian Walter. To read the article, just go to Eduard’s website (https://www.eduard.com/info-eduard-august-2020/?cur=2) and download the August 2020 edition. 1st Lt. Ebersole’s Mustang, 619 “Hon. Mistake”, which he was assigned to with 1st Lt. James R. Bercaw, is one of the decal options in the kit.

Reference Materials: 7th Fighter Command Website

On July 27, 2020July 27, 2020 By acarothersvlrmIn Websites2 Comments

As modelers, we have differing motivations as to why we build models. Some build out of the sheer enjoyment of building and completing a model without concerns about accuracy of details or markings. My twin brother (yes, there are two of us), out of boredom from being at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, built a 1/72 Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress for his first model. He enjoyed the experience enough that he bought a 1/48 Tamiya North American P-51D Mustang for his second build. Concerned about accuracy of the models he is building, or the decals he has used? Not in the least. He just enjoys completing a build.

On the other end of the spectrum you have modelers who strive for ultimate accuracy in not only detail, but also in the markings they use. The amount of detail added to their models (photo etch, resin and scratch built parts) and their ability to correct errors in shapes and contours is simply amazing. I wish my skills were at that level.

Everybody else falls somewhere in between. I am included in this vast middle ground of desires and abilities. What has drawn me to modeling is my love of World War II aviation, and the history of the pilots, planes and the different combatants. For those of us that love the history behind the planes we are building, good reference sites are a must.

There is a lot of information at a person’s fingertips regarding the United States Army Air Force groups that operated off of Iwo Jima. Some of that information can be found at a couple of websites, and other information takes a few more steps and a little more time to access, but nothing that takes a tremendous amount of time.

***7th Fighter Command Association Website Home Page***

The Seventh Fighter Command website (https://www.7thfighter.com) covers all of the fighter groups that were stationed on Iwo Jima. It covers the 15th, 21st and 506th Fighter Groups (P-51D Mustangs), the 414th Fighter Group (P-47N Thunderbolts), and the night fighter squadrons (P-61B Black Widows). The 414th Fighter Group did fly VLR missions in the Republic P-47N Thunderbolt in the last few weeks of the war in the Pacific.

While the website has a large collection of photos, including many of the United States Army Air Force’s collection for the 7th Fighter Command from the National Archives, the real resource is its webmaster, Mark W. Stevens. When I first became interested in the Iwo Jima VLR Mustang Groups, the 7th Fighter Command website was the first website I found, and Mark was the first person I reached out to in my quest to learn more. Over the years, Mark has acquired a tremendous amount of information and photos regarding the 7th Fighter Command. Mark has always been helpful, and willing to share his information and resources. If you have questions regarding the 7th Fighter Command, or are researching a specific plane or pilot, Mark is the person to contact. Mark’s email address is: mark@7thfighter.com.

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.

Eduard’s Iwo Jima VLR Mustang Boxing; “Very Long Range: Tales of Iwojima”

On July 3, 2020July 3, 2020 By acarothersvlrmIn Kit/Product NewsLeave a comment

Eduard has previously indicated that it intended to release a Pacific VLR boxing of its 1/48 P-51D Mustang kit in August of 2020. What was not known, until now, was whether the decal options for the boxing would be solely for Iwo Jima VLR Mustangs, or a mixture of decals for Iwo Jima VLR Mustangs and other Pacific Mustangs.

That question is answered in the July 2020 Edition of INFO Eduard. The boxing will be a Limited Edition release entitled “Very Long Range: Tales of Iwojima”, and will include twelve different decal options for Iwo Jima VLR Mustangs that covers all nine squadrons of the three Iwo Jima VLR Mustang groups. Below are the decal options.

It’s fantastic to see all nine squadrons represented in this release, and especially nice to see decals for the three squadrons (46th, 72nd and 531st) of the 21st Fighter Group. Other than Major Harry C. Crim’s 300 “My Achin” Ass, 21st FG Mustangs tend not to get a lot of love from kit makers and after market decal manufacturers. While modelers want to build models of fighter aces, and kit manufacturers cater to that demand, it is nice to see decals of lesser known pilots included.

A few notes about the decal options. First, there are two decal options for the 45th FS, 15th FG P-51D-20-NA Mustang serial number 44-63483. This plane was originally assigned to Major Gilmer L. “Buck” Snipes, the CO of the 45th FS, and was named “Tom Kat”. It was later assigned to top VLR ace Major Robert W. “Todd” Moore who scored a total of 12 victories, and was renamed “Stinger VII”.

Second, a modeler has decal options for the two planes flown by the second leading VLR fighter ace, Major James B. Tapp of the 78th FS, 15th FG. The first is “Margaret IV”, a P-51D-20-NA, which is the most recognized P-51D Mustang flown by Major Tapp. The second is “Margaret V”, a P-51D-25-NA, which Major Tapp flew in the last few weeks of the Pacific war. It is nice to have both options.

Third, decals are provided for Lt. Colonel John W. Mitchell’s 11, “Annie Lee”. Lt. Colonel Mitchell gained fame and notoriety for leading the long over water mission that resulted in the downing of the Mitsubishi G4M Betty carrying Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto. Lt. Colonel Mitchell added 3 VLR victories to the 8 aerial victories he had while serving with the 339 FS. He served as the CO of the 15th FG from July 19, 1945, to the end of the war. Very nice addition to the decal options.

Lastly, the decal options provide a nice mix of the early squadron markings and the later standardized squadron markings that were mandated in the last few months of the war. More about the change in squadron markings in a later post.

Kudos to Eduard on this release! If you are contemplating purchasing this boxing when it is released in August, I would not wait too long as Eduard Limited Edition releases tend to sell out fairly quickly.