P-51B Beaverhead Filly

[jankees]

After all the excitement over the Warbirdsim P-51B, we almost forget that it is actually a nice model, and fun to repaint to boost...if only we had a proper paintkit...
Never mind, this works too. I don't know about you, but I've always liked the pianokey noses of the 20th Fighter Group. Strangely enough, there is not a single modern day warbird in these colors that I know of (but at least three 'Old crows'!), so I'll have to make do with a simulated one...(still WiP mind you!)

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/ww230/jcblom60/a2785.jpg

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/ww230/jcblom60/a2786.jpg

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/ww230/jcblom60/a2796.jpg

I still don't know if the boys at warbirdsim allow me to upload my paints, so you'll have to be a bit patient, but at least you'll know what is out there...

[Quicksand]

Beautiful, Jan!:applause:

[IanP]

I'm going to sound like a stuck record here, but very nice repaint Jan Kees... as usual... :bump:

[SpaceWeevil]

Nice one Jan Kees, good to see some paints for the Malcolm hood 'C. I don't find the balloon hood P51C quite as sleek as the birdcage version, but it's heaps easier to see out of for aerobatics - and combat, I'll bet.

[jankees]

thank you! It looks good in low light as well..

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/ww230/jcblom60/a2807.jpg

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/ww230/jcblom60/a2822.jpg

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/ww230/jcblom60/a2826.jpg

[gajit]

Yes - great shots :applause:

[Quicksand]

Ah Geezzzz, Jan... A few more screenshots that beautiful, and my wallet is going on the endangered species list again... along with me... You do such beautiful work.. I hope that Warbirdsim realizes that it is because of the talents of you guys so gifted with the virtual paint brush that many will purchase their product. Thanks for rekindling my interest in this Pony.:medals::icon29::guinness::applause::jump:

[Bomber_12th]

Love the 20th FG schemes, Jan Kees, and this looks excellent! Be sure to save your layers for when the update comes about, if you can wait that long, as there will be some changes to the way the aircraft is mapped once the update is in use. I too wish there were more Mustangs operating in 20th FG markings, because to me they make the aircraft look very distinctive compared to other squadrons, especially with the big blocked letters on the tails and RAF green camo over NMF - I'm just glad that there is finally at least one operating, and it is a magnificent example at that, though doesn't carry markings from the time period that the 20th used the piano key design.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Speaking of Malcolm hoods, it is quite interesting to have experienced from the beginning of making this aircraft, how restrictive the birdcage canopy is - then to transition to how much field-of-view you have looking out of the blown canopy of the Malcolm hood - back to slightly more restrictions now with making the D model. Most, likely don't realize it right away, but the Malcolm hood offered more visibility than the D model canopy did. You can notice by such screenshots in this thread that the bottom of the glass on the Malcolm hood extended almost as far down as the pilot's elbow, so there were no side-visibility issues. Where as the D model canopy glass however, stops at just under your shoulder, as seen in my signature, and doesn't bulge outward like the Malcolm example. This, plus the speed advantage, made some B/C model pilots question the benefit of switching to the D when it came along.<o:p></o:p>

[jeansy]

very nice, and happy birthday

[jankees]

thank you!

working on some more wear and tear:
http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/ww230/jcblom60/a2891.jpg

[DaveQ]

Love the 20th FG schemes, Jan Kees, and this looks excellent! Be sure to save your layers for when the update comes about, if you can wait that long, as there will be some changes to the way the aircraft is mapped once the update is in use. I too wish there were more Mustangs operating in 20th FG markings, because to me they make the aircraft look very distinctive compared to other squadrons, especially with the big blocked letters on the tails and RAF green camo over NMF - I'm just glad that there is finally at least one operating, and it is a magnificent example at that, though doesn't carry markings from the time period that the 20th used the piano key design.

Exceptional as usual Jankees!

Like most P-38-equipped 8th Air Force groups, the 20th was only issued with a limited number of B/C model P-51's and most were gone by November 1944 when the piano key stripes were applied. However, according to Peter Randall's 'Little Friends' site 'Beaverhead Filley' survived the war and was lost in a landing accident in August 1945. By that time it had transferred 'ownership' and become MC-L "Bertie's Bet - Shoot You're Faded". A picture of it exists on the 'Little Friends' with the piano keys carrying that name and no invasion stripes, probably from early 1945. So you're spot on again Jankees!

Regards

DaveQ

[jankees]

I was thinking of doing Bertie's Bet first, but I wanted one with painted wings, so I did the previous incarnation, Beaverhead Filly, as flown by Lt Price.
Before that, it was Hells Belle, flown by Lt Lewis, but without the piano keys..

[heydon2008]

Wow i really like this one and roses' raider too cant wait to download them.