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

On January 9, 2023February 11, 2023 By acarothersvlrmIn 45th Fighter Squadron, 15th Fighter Group, Unit MarkingsLeave a comment

***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.

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.

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/

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.

***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.

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.

***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.

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.

Decal Review: AeroMaster Decals’ 1/48 Iwo Jima Mustangs (48-191)

On May 14, 2022May 21, 2022 By acarothersvlrmIn Aeromaster Decals, Decal ReviewsLeave a comment

This is AeroMaster’s first decal sheet dedicated solely to Iwo Jima VLR Mustangs. Four additional sheets on Iwo Jima VLR Mustangs would be subsequently issued by AeroMaster.

This sheet provides markings for the planes of the three top VLR aces: Major Robert W. Moore’s 67 “Stinger VII” (12 aerial victories), Major James B. Tapp’s 101 “Margaret – IV” (8 aerial victories), and Major Harry C. Crim, Jr.’s 300 “My Achin! [Ass]” (6 aerial victories).

In addition, it provides markings for a 458th FS, 506th FG Mustang, 551 “Delta Queen”, flown by Captain J.B. Baker, Jr.

Originally issued in 1995, the decals are pretty accurate, but more accurate photo documentation has emerged to show there are omissions and errors on this sheet. Onto the planes, pilots and the decals.

Major Harry C. Crim, Jr. (531st FS/21st FG) – Major Crim was the 3rd highest scoring VLR ace with six confirmed victories, and the only fighter ace of the 21st FG. He joined the 21st FG in August, 1944, after serving with the 14th Fighter Group in Tunisia flying the Lockheed P-38 Lightning. Unable to score any aerials victories with 14th FG, he scored his first two victories, a Kawasaki Ki-61 “Tony” and a Kawasaki Ki-45 “Nick” on April 7, 1945, the first VLR mission flown by the 7th Fighter Command Mustangs. His last victory, a Mitsubishi A6M Zero, came on July 6, 1945 during a strike mission against Atsugi airfield. Major Crim was also credited with six ground victories.

*Assistant Crew Chief Sergeant Stanley McCarro in the cockpit of Major Crim’s 300 “My Achin! [Ass]” (Harry Crim via Tom Ivie/Carl Molesworth)*

44-73623 was a P-51D-25NA, and Major Crim’s second VLR Mustang. The kill markings, mission markings, and ground crews’ names appear to be very good on the decal sheet except for Asst. Crew Chief Stanley McCarro’s name being misspelled. The only other deficiency in these decals is the artwork for the donkey/ass.

*Major Harry C. Crim, Jr.’s 300 “My* *Achin! [Ass]”*

The photo above shows a portion of the canvas wheel well covers which were a standard production feature that were discarded by European Theater Mustang groups, but were maintained in place by the Iwo Jima Mustang groups as a means of keeping sand and volcanic grit out of the wheel wells.

After Major Crim rotated home, “My Achin! [Ass]” was assigned to Flight Officer Theo Gruici, who had Major Crim’s kill and mission markings and the names of the ground crew removed, and had a reclining nude painted on the fuselage. Most decal manufacturers have a nude on the left landing gear cover for Major Crim’s markings, but I have yet to see a photo confirming this. The nude on the left landing gear cover is mostly obscured by the 110 gallon drop tank in the photo below, and it raises the question whether there was a nude also on the right landing gear cover. After inquiring of others who have more extensive photo collections than I do, there does not appear to be any photos of the right side of the plane. Some questions will never be answered.

*Flight Officer Theo Gruici’s 300 “My Achin! [Ass]” (7th Fighter Command Association/Mark W. Stevens)*

Major James B. Tapp (78th FS/15th FG) – Major Tapp was the second highest scoring VLR Mustang ace with 8 aerial victories. All eight victories were scored in 101 “Margaret – IV” (44-63984), a P-51D-20NA. Major Tapp scored 4 aerial victories on the first VLR mission on April 7, 1945. He scored another victory on April 12, 1945, which represents the 5 victories on the decal sheet.

*Major James B. Tapp’s 101 “Margaret -IV” (7th Fighter Command Association/Mark W. Stevens)*

As can be seen from the photo above and the photo below, the name “Margaret – IV” and the Bushmaster squadron emblem are on both sides of the nose. The photo below shows that there are additional markings on the right side of the fuselage below the canopy.

This last photo shows the markings on the right side of the fuselage which includes kill and mission markings. In addition to the name of the Crew Chief Sergeant Blanco, there is the name of another ground crew member which is undiscernable from the photo. This photo also shows that the 0 in the fuselage number is broken rather than solid.

*Crew Chief Sergeant Blanco standing on the wing of Major Tapp’s 101 “Margaret – IV” with unknown crew member in cockpit (via Brian Walter)*

Unfortunately, the kill and mission markings on the right side of Major Tapp’s Mustang are not contained on this decal sheet.

Major Robert W. “Todd” Moore (45th FS/15th FG) – Major Moore was the highest scoring VLR ace with 11 VLR aerial victories. He had one aerial victory with the 15th FG prior to arriving on Iwo Jima. 44-63483, a P-51D-20NA, was first assigned to Major Gilmore L. “Buck” Snipes and was named “Tom Kat”.

The three photos below provide some different marking variations for 67 “Stinger VII” during the time it was assigned to Major Moore. From these photos it appears that Major Moore was assigned to 67 during the time the squadron was transitioning from their original markings to the more simplified markings.

Below is a Loomis Dean photograph which show 67 “Stinger VII” with an unpainted spinner and the diagonal wing bands still in place as evidenced by the bands wrapping over the leading edge of the wing. It also appears that rails for HVAR rockets have been installed under the wings which can be seen just above the drop tanks on the left wing. These were field modifications as rocket rails were not installed at the factory during Block 20 production.

*Major Robert W. Moore with 67 “Stinger VII” (USAAF/National Archives via Fold3)*

The photograph below, while not the best in quality, appears to show that the diagonal bands have been removed from the wings, but still are present on the tail surfaces. It does not appear that the spinner has been painted solid green yet. Please also note that the number 67 also appears on the main landing gear covers. This was common practice for 45th FS Mustangs. Unfortunately, the this decal sheet does not provide the decals for the landing gear covers.

*Major Robert W. Moore’s 67 “Stinger VII”*

The last photo shows 67 “Stinger VII” with the simplified markings of a solid green spinner, green wing tips, green horizontal stablizer/elevator tips, and (assuming) green tail tip.

*Major Robert W. Moore’s 67 “Stinger VII” (Robert W. Moore via Tom Ivie/Carl Molesworth)*

Captain J.B. Baker, Jr. (458th FS/506th FG) – Captain Baker was the Flight Leader of “A” Flight of the 458th FS, and was assigned to a P-51D-20NA (44-72579) which was numbered 551, and he named “Delta Queen”.

*Captain J.B. Baker, Jr.’s 551 “Delta Queen” (via Dr. John Benbow)*

Captain Baker was credited with one aerial victory, a Nakajima Ki-44 Shoki which he shot down on a June 23, 1945 escort mission to the Nagoya and Kobe areas. He was also credited with a probable, a Mitsubishi JM2 Raiden during an strike mission against airfields in the Tokyo area, and two ground victories.

“A” Flight of 458th FS (back row, left to right – Norman Dostal, Henry Seegers, Ed Mikes, James Coleman, Raymond Feld; front row, left to right – Vance Middaugh, Bennett Commer, **J.B. Baker, Jr.**, Robert Tatro) (Ralph Coleman via Dr. John Benbow)

Missing from this decal sheet are the dive angle markings on the wings which were applied to all 506th Mustangs. This sheet also provides two markings for the plane name “Delta Queen”, one is red and one in yellow. While the general consensus is that the plane name is yellow, it is nice to have both options.

This decal sheet was designed and sized for the Tamiya kit. I am not aware if the decals for the dark blue stripes on the tail of “Delta Queen” will fit properly on the Airfix, Hasegawa, HobbyBoss, ICM, Meng, and Revell/Monogram kits.

This is a very nice decal sheet, but it is no longer in production and is difficult to find. It shows up on eBay every so often, and Ultracast has one in stock at an inflated price of $34.95. If you are wanting to build a 1/48 Iwo Jima VLR Mustang with one of these markings, I would recommend buying the Eduard’s Very Long Range: Tales of Iwo Jima Limited Edition Kit (#11142). The decals in this kit include accurate markings for all of these planes (plus markings for 8 other planes).

Book Review: “The Long Campaign: The History of the 15th Fighter Group in World War II” by John W. Lambert

On March 26, 2022March 26, 2022 By acarothersvlrmIn Book Reviews, Reference MaterialsLeave a comment

Published in 2006 by Schiffer Publishing Ltd., John W. Lambert chronicles the 15th Fighter Group starting with its activation in December of 1940 as part of the Hawaiian Air Force, to its baptism of fire in the defense of Pearl Harbor during the Japanese surprise attack on December 7, 1941, and ending with its sun setting VLR missions against the Japanese Home Islands from Iwo Jima in the last months of the war.

One hundred fifty two pages of text tells the story of the truly “Long Campaign” of the 15th Fighter Group, which was activated on December 1, 1940, in Hawaii, and ended the war on Iwo Jima in August, 1945. While the 15th FG got an early taste of aerial combat defending against the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, the next 15 months would be spent on Hawaii defending against an anticipated second attack that never materialized.

The 15th FG’s opportunity to engage the enemy came again in March of 1943 when the group moved to Canton Island, and Lambert does a very nice job of describing the 15th’s moves across the Central Pacific (Baker, Makin, Milli, Jaluit, Abemama and Nanumea Atolls) , and their sporadic engagements with Japanese Naval Air Forces.

The book goes on to detail the Group’s return to Hawaii to transition into the Republic P-47D Thunderbolts in April of 1944. At this point in time, many of the pilots who had been in the Central Pacific forward areas had not got the opportunity of fire a single shot in combat. Lambert does a very nice job of capturing the frustrations of the pilots in not seeing any combat, and their eagerness to finally get in the fight.

***78th FS Republic P-47D Thunderbolts (James M. Vande Hey)***

That opportunity would come soon when the Group transitioned into the North American P-51D Mustang in November of 1944, and began training for VLR missions. The book really picks up during the Group’s transition to Iwo Jima, and finally their opportunity to engage Japanese Army and Navy fighters over the Japanese Home Islands.

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

This is a very well researched book, and Lambert does an excellent job in the early to mid chapters of the book setting forth the Group’s history when not a lot of combat is occurring. The appendices at the end of the book are very nice and helpful for those wanting to dig deeper into the individual members of the Group and their accomplishments. The only criticism I have of the book is that it does not have any aircraft profiles, color or otherwise. It would have been a nice touch to include color profiles of the Curtiss P-40 Warhawks, Bell P-39 Airacobras, Republic P-47D Thunderbolts, and North American P-51D Mustangs flown by the 15th FG, and their markings.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the 15th Fighter Group and the 7th Air Force/7th Fighter Command’s contributions in ending the war in the Pacific.

Mark L. Rossmann’s 1/48 15th Fighter Group VLR Mustang Builds

On May 30, 2021May 31, 2021 By acarothersvlrmIn North American P-51D Mustang, Show Us Your Builds1 Comment

Mark Rossmann is back with three 1/48 VLR Mustang builds. This is a blast from the past as Mark built these 15th Fighter Group Mustangs back in 2007.

First up is the 45th Fighter Squadron’s P-51D-20NA (44-63483) 67 “Stinger VII”, flown by Major Robert W. “Todd” Moore. Major Moore was the highest scoring 7th Fighter Command ace with 12 aerial victories; 11 of those victories scored on VLR missions.

Major Moore’s first victory came on an ambush mission over Arno Atoll on January 26, 1944, during which he shot down a Mitsubishi Zero. He did not score again until the 15th Fighter Group started flying VLR missions from Iwo Jima. His last victory came on a VLR escort mission to Tokyo on August 10, 1945, during which he shot down a Nakajima Ki-44 Shoki.

***Major Robert W. Moore (USAAF/National Archives via Fold3)***

In addition to the 12 aerial victories, Major Moore was credited with 3 ground victories. He ended the war as the commander of the 45th Fighter Squadron.

Mark used the Tamiya kit along with decals from Aeromaster’s The Very Long Range Escorts “The Iwo Jima Mustangs” Fancy Art Part 4 sheet (48-797).

An excellent article written by Tom Ivie on Major Moore’s service with the 15th Fighter Group during World War II can be found here: https://www.7thfighter.com/78th/moore/todd.htm

Next up is the 47th Fighter Squadron’s P-51D-20NA (44-63972) 185 “Black Rufe” flown by 1st Lt. William Hayden Sparks.

1st Lt. Sparks scored an aerial victory over Kakamigahara Airdrome on July 19, 1945, and was also credited with a ground victory on August 3, 1945.

***1st Lt. W. Hayden Sparks (via Mark W. Stevens/7th Fighter Command Association)***

***1st Lt. W. Hayden Sparks (W. Hayden Sparks)***

185 “Black Rufe” was actually lost on the infamous June 1, 1945, Black Friday mission, but 1st Lt. Sparks was not assigned to fly that mission.

Again, Mark used the Tamiya kit along with decals from Aeromaster’s The Very Long Range Escorts “The Iwo Jima Mustangs” Fancy Art Part 4 sheet (48-797).

Mark’s third build is the 78th Fighter Squadron’s P-51D-20NA (44-63973) 100 “Jeanne VIII” flown by Major James M. Vande Hey. Major Vande Hey was a veteran 78th FS pilot who participated in all of the 78th FS campaigns in the Central Pacific, and was squadron commander when the 78th FS arrived on Iwo Jima.

Major Vande Hey scored 4 aerial victories during his time with the 78th Fighter Squadron. His first two victories came on the January 26, 1944 ambush mission over Arno Atoll, during which he shot down two Mitsubishi Zeros.

***Major James M. Vande Hey standing next to his Republic P-47D Thunderbolt “Jeanne VII” in Hawaii (James M. Vande Hey)***

His third victory came on the first VLR escort mission to Tokyo on April 7, 1945, during which he shot down a Mitsubishi Ki-46 Dinah. Major Vande Hey’s last victory came on second VLR escort mission on April 12, 1945, again to Tokyo. Upon landing on Iwo Jima, his engine stopped for lack of fuel and had to be towed back to its hardstand. Major Vande Hey had been in the air for over 8 hours. This would be his last VLR mission. After spending 40 months in the Central Pacific, and after logging over 1,500 flight hours, Major Vande Hey rotated home and was reassigned to a Stateside position.

***Major James M. Vande Hey (USAAF/National Archives via Fold3)***

James Vande Hey would make a career out of serving his country in the United States Air Force obtaining the rank of Brigadier General. Brig. Gen. Vande Hey retired on July 1, 1971, and passed away on December 21, 2009.

For this build, Mark used the Hasegawa kit along with decals from Aeromaster’s The Very Long Range Escorts “The Iwo Jima Mustangs” Fancy Art Part 2 sheet (48-795).

Thanks again to Mark Rossmann for sharing his builds with us. More to come as Mark has done more VLR Mustang builds over the years. Very nice builds! Thanks also to Mark W. Stevens of the 7th Fighter Command Association for the photos of 1st Lt. W. Hayden Sparks.

References:

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

2. 7th Fighter Command Association website/Mark W. Stevens. https://www.7thfighter.com/

Iwo Jima Models

Tag: 45th Fighter Squadron

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

Decal Review: AeroMaster Decals’ 1/48 Iwo Jima Mustangs (48-191)

Book Review: “The Long Campaign: The History of the 15th Fighter Group in World War II” by John W. Lambert

Mark L. Rossmann’s 1/48 15th Fighter Group VLR Mustang Builds