Tag: 46th Fighter Squadron

Kit Review: Eduard’s 1/72nd P-51D Mustang “Tales of Iwo Jima” Limited Edition Dual Combo Boxing

On By acarothersvlrmIn Kit Reviews, Kit/Product ReviewsLeave a comment

Eduard recently released its 1/72nd P-51D Mustang “Tales of Iwo Jima” Limited Edition Dual Combo boxing. The box art is very appealing.

Eduard

As can be seen from the kit’s aircraft profiles below, the decal options are similar to the 1/48th scale limited edition boxing in that it provides 12 decal options that cover all nine Iwo Jima VLR Mustang squadrons. They will be the same decal options with one change. The 457th Fighter Squadron decals will be for 539 “Lil Ole Meanie II”, flown by 2nd Lt. William G. Hetland and Lt. Hinkle, instead of 542 “Fighting Lady” flown by 1st Lt. Ralph Gardner and 1st Lt. Chester Jatzcak. The decals for 542 “Fighting Lady” are included in the 1/72 P-51D Mustang Profipack boxing.

Eduard

Below is a large aircraft profile of 539 Li’l Ole Meanie II. I am assuming it was included due to the pin-up art below the canopy of the beautiful woman in state of being partially undressed.

Eduard

I am not going to review the actual plastic parts as I have done that previously. You can find that review here. It is a beautiful and well engineered kit with exquisite rivet detail for a 1/72nd scale kit.

Eduard

No resin parts are included in this limited edition dual combo boxing. Customary of Eduard for limited edition boxings, a color photo etched fret is included for each kit that consists of cockpit components and scribing templates (Parts PE7 and PE19) to create accurate panel lines for the VLR Mustangs. The photo etched frets also contain the scribing and placement template, and parts (PE22-25) for the AN/APS-13 rear warning radar installed on the tail of late model Mustangs. Nice touch on Eduard’s part.

Some of Block 20(NA), and all of Block 25(NA) produced P-51Ds had the AN/APS-13 rear warning radar installed. The AN/APS-13 was a low power UHF tail warning radar transmitter/receiver which was used to detect aircraft approaching from the rear. Below 1500 feet it would have to be turned off, otherwise it would receive false readings from the ground. Its effective range against small fighter sized targets was 280 – 320 meters. When it detected an aircraft, a small red light would come on and a bell would ring. Below is a photo of a 462nd FS Mustang showing the location of the AN/APS-13 radar antennae on the tail.

Loomis Dean/USAAF/National Archives via Fold3

The AN/APS-13 radar was seen as somewhat of a blessing and a curse by pilots. Some 506th FG pilots that I have interviewed indicated it was an annoyance during formation flying because it would keep going off when a threat was not present unless you were the tail end Charlie. 1st Lt. William G. Ebersole of the 462nd FS indicated that it was common practice for pilots on VLR missions to turn the radar off during the long over water approach to Japan, and the long return trip back to Iwo Jima, only switching it on upon reaching the Japanese home islands.

There is a minor error on the assembly instructions that warrants pointing out. The avionics transmitters were different on Iwo Jima VLR Mustangs due to the addition of the SCR-695 IFF transmitter which was located right behind the SCR-522 radio transmitter. This addition necessitated moving the battery to the rear of engine compartment. Below is a nice computer generated image of how this set up looked.

John Terrell

Eduard has accurately produced the SCR-522 radio transmitter and SCR-695 IFF transmitter as one part (E3). Eduard also provides the normal configuration of the SCR-522 radio transmitter and battery as part E2. Below is page 3 of Eduard’s instructions (Step A) showing the assembly of the cockpit parts. Please note that the instructions indicate the correct part (E3), but the assembly drawing is of the SCR-522 radio transmitter/battery part (E2). Do not be confused by the wrong pairing of the part number and drawing. If you are building an Iwo Jima VLR Mustang, use part E3.

Eduard

Kudos to Eduard for putting out a 1/72nd Dual Combo Limited Edition boxing that provides decals for all 9 Iwo Jima VLR Mustang squadron. Nice to not to have to rely on the aftermarket decal industry to supply those options. If you want to build an Iwo Jima VLR Mustang in 1/72nd scale, this is the kit and the boxing to buy.

Mark L. Rossmann’s 1/48 Tamiya North American P-51D Mustang; 227 “Mary Alyce”/“My Miss Moe”; 46th Fighter Squadron, 21st Fighter Group

On By acarothersvlrmIn North American P-51D Mustang, Show Us Your BuildsLeave a comment

Mark L. Rossmann is back with another Iwo Jima VLR Mustang build. This time, a 1/48 Tamiya North American P-51D Mustang built with the markings for a 46th FS, 21st FG P-51D-20-NA, Serial No. 44-63451, 227 “Mary Alyce”/“My Miss Moe” flown by Lt. Robert J. Louwers and Lt. John E. Montgomery, III.

Mark L. Rossmann

While the 1/48th scale Tamiya kit does not have the necessary parts to build an accurate Iwo Jima VLR Mustang, it still builds into a very nice and accurate representation of a D model Mustang. Mark relocated the dorsal antenna to the correct position below the front fuselage just in front of the main wheel well covers. Mark used toothpicks to create the dual Uncle Dog antennae. Nice touch in light of the fact that actual antennae were made of wood.

Eduard

Mark used the AeroMaster Decal sheet 48-797, The Very Long Range Escorts, “The Iwo Jima Mustangs” Fancy Art Part 4. Unfortunately, this sheet does not provide the decal for My Miss Moe which appears on the right side of the nose, so Mark used the decal from the Eduard sheet contained in the limited edition Tales of Iwo Jima boxing.

Mark L. Rossmann

Below is the only photograph I can find for 227 “Mary Alyce”/My Miss Moe”. This photo appears in Carl Moleworth’s book Very Long Range Mustangs Units of the Pacific War which can be purchased from Osprey Publishing in a traditional softbound book format or in an ebook format. This title and many other aviation titles can be purchased at Osprey.

A few items to note from the photograph for the modeler. First, please note how weathered 227 “Mary Alynce”/“My Miss Moe” appears. While the Mustangs on Iwo Jima were well maintained, the conditions on Iwo Jima were harsh on planes from an appearance prespective. Second, the airfield dust shows that this Mustang was equipped with tires with a block tread pattern. Third, please note the right main landing gear leg, and how dark it is. I have seen color photos of 21st Fighter Group Mustangs while on Saipan in which the landing gear legs look like they have been painted bronze green.

227 “Mary Alyce”/“My Miss Moe” on Iwo Jima (Robert J. Louwers via Carl Molesworth)

Mary Alyce was Lt. Louwers’ wife’s name. It is not known if the pin-up art that adorns the left side of the fuselage below canopy is an attempted depiction of the actual Mary Alyce Louwers.

Mark L. Rossmann

Neither Lt. Louwers or Lt. Montgomery were credited with any aerial or ground victories. Lt. Louwers completed 9 VLR missions while on Iwo Jima.

Mark L. Rossmann

Mark achieved a very nice natural metal finish, and I like the light weathering that is achieved with a simple panel line wash. Thanks to Mark for sharing his build with us, and kudos on a very nice result. More to come from Mark.

References: Very Long Range P-51 Units of the Pacific War, Carl Molesworth, Osprey Publishing, 2006.

Photo(s) of the Week; Mission Prep for April 19, 1945 VLR Strike Mission

On By acarothersvlrmIn History, Photo(s) of the WeekLeave a comment
USAAF/National Archives via Fold3

Armorers unpack 50 caliber ammunition from cases to be loaded into a 46th Fighter Squadron, 21st Fighter Group Mustang in preparation for the April 19, 1945 VLR strike mission against Atsugi Naval Airfield near Tokyo. Two Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer patrol bombers are in the background on Central Field.

Photo(s) of the Week: The 21st Fighter Group Arrives on Iwo Jima

On By acarothersvlrmIn Photo(s) of the WeekLeave a comment

After the 31st CB (SeaBees) and the 2nd Separate Engineer Battalion completely reconstructed Central Field (Motoyama #2), the 72nd FS of the 21st FG arrived on Iwo Jima on March 22nd. The remaining two squadrons of the 21st FG, the 46th and 531st, arrived on March 24th.

USAAF/National Archives via Fold3

I really like the above photo. It shows 231 Tiny Gay Baba, 209 Three of a Kind and other 46th FS Mustangs parked on Central Field after their arrival on March 24th. Above Tiny Gay Baba you can see the main South Field runway and Mt. Suribachi.

USAAF/National Archives via Fold3

Taken on March 25th, the above photo shows a nice line up of 72nd FS Mustangs on Central Field. The closest Mustang in the photo is 250 Dede Lou, the mount of 72nd FS commander, Major Paul W. Imig. If you enlarge the photo, it appears that Dede Lou has the twin Uncle Dog antennae installed.

USAAF/National Archives via Fold3

The final photo shows 531st FS Mustangs in the foreground, with 46th and 72nd FS Mustangs in the background. This photo was also taken on March 25th, a day after the 46th and 531st FS Mustangs arrived on Iwo Jima.