JohnB

Thank you Phil!

Making a little progress. I didn't notice the gap there on the right side of the cockpit when I put the fuselage halves together. I guess all I can do now is lay in a strip of plastic or fill it with putty. Oh well. 🤪

Since I'm on the subject of books, have any of you read "Combat Cameraman" by Jerry Joswick? 🤞

"Gremlin on my shoulder" is a true story written by someone who was there (Ron Cundy). "Kittyhawk Down" is a "novel" based on facts. Some of what is included there IS true "as it happened" and compares well with some of the things Cundy wrote in his book. It is written in a way that it was Copping writing it. Of course that is impossible but Nicholas used "real" info for it. I would think he interviewed people like Cundy who provided him with "good info" etc. So, in my own humble opinion, I think it DOES shed a lot of light on just what was going on with Copping.

From what I've read in the 2 books it appears Copping flew off into the desert with no intention of returning. The dressing down was just the last straw for him apparently. I recommend you get the books and read up on it.

You are welcome although I wouldn't call it a book review as much as just a couple of interesting bits. 😐

I'm sure you all know about the Kittyhawk found in the desert after 70 years and the mystery surrounding it. I've just finished reading two books about the desert air war and saw some info I think y'all would find interesting. The first book is "Gremlin on my shoulder" by Ron Cundy. Cundy relates in "Gremlin on my shoulder" a episode where the squadron CO (Hanbury) did a terrible dressing down of Dennis Copping, the pilot of the Kittyhawk. If you get the book, which is factual since Cundy was there, look on page 69. The second book is "Kittyhawk Down" by Jonathan Nicholas. It is a fact/fiction book about Copping. However, Nicholas relates on pages 352 and 353 the gist of the dressing down Copping had to listen to. I feel sure Nicholas must have visited with Cundy about that episode and has, I hope, related it fairly accurately. It was a shameful thing to say the least and may shed some light on why Copping did what he did. Since there is no way to ask Copping we'll just have to use our own judgement. I found it very interesting.

Thank you Harv!

Time certainly does fly! I got it when it was new and am just now getting around to building it.

Although the Barracuda set hasn't showed up yet I'm getting started. Here's a comparison shot of the kit compass with Quinta face attached compared to the real thing.

Greg might be of some help. Good luck!

I don't think the wings were green JR but gray. At least that is how they appear to me in the photos. I hope this answers your question.

Thanks Jerry!

Thanks Chris.

Wow Rob! You are really going all out on this one! Should make a outstanding model for sure!

Thanks! The wing guns and scoop gave be plenty of cuss-factor moments!!! Also the windscreen. At one point I didn't think I could get it to sit right and decided to contact Revell Germany for a replacement in hopes it would fit better. They were very helpful and there's a new part on the way at no cost. Turns out I didn't need it but it's possible I will need it some time in future as I have another kit ordered from Scale Hobbyist. Nice kits but there ARE some fit problems unfortunately. 🙄

Thank you Dennis. I'm pleased that you like the results of my efforts!

Thank you Gaz!!!

LOL Mike! Thank you, I'm glad you like it.

I decided to do a little more work on the model to match the photo. LOL

I'm glad you like it Peter. Thanks!

Done with this one. https://forum.largescalemodeller.com/topic/18976-revell-p-51d-late-iwo-jima-done/

All done with this refugee from the SOD! LOL I decided to resume work on it after I had it about 50% done but had set aside for something else. I changed my mind on color schemes 3 times and finally settled on this 15 FG P-51 based on Iwo Jima as shown in the Kagero book. I did a fair amount of "research" off and on to be sure I had it "right". A couple of things not shown in the book are the rocket stubs, the antenna under the nose, and the name "Stinger" on both sides of the nose. I decided to add the plumbing on the drop tanks using a couple different types of wire. I painted the model with Alclad. The green stripes are Willow Green by Colourcoats with black decal stripes. I decided to do 2 spinners because the photos I found only show a unpainted spinner but the book shows it painted in the artwork (which I like best). I hope y'all like it! Remember to click on the 1st photo for best resolution and to view the pics as a slide show. 🤪

After carefully studying the photo again, I see there is something else not shown in the Kagero book. It's this antenna under the nose just ahead of the wheel wells. It's hard to see as it kind of blends with the background. I knew from previous research and builds the '51's involved in the long range missions to Japan had this antenna as well as the twin antennas on the spine. So now maybe this model will be more accurate! LOL 🤪

Looking good Peter!!!