'Factory Fresh for the RAF'

[Bomber_12th]

Through the lend-lease program, a large number of Mustangs were manufactured for the British during WWII. Just as how NAA painted newly manufactured Mustangs in stars & bars to USAAF specifications, they also painted newly manufactured Mustangs in roundels to RAF specifications. In fact, an entire production block of P-51K-15-NT's (which were equivelant to P-51D-30-NT's, but fitted with Aeroproducts props) were manufactured for the British RAF, at the NAA plant in Dallas, TX. One such example within this production block, was that of AAF Serial No. 44-12653, which was given the RAF serial number of KM387. This aircraft was one of the last of the D/K variants produced by NAA, and featured all of the refinements and changes that had occured since the beginning of D-model production. It would serve in the RAF up until 1947.

Here is a quick external and internal look at the aircraft, as recreated by Warbirdsim in P-51D "Little Friends". This is exactly as the aircraft looked following completion at the Dallas, TX NAA plant, before eventual shipment to the docks of New Jersey, and the ports of the UK.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/productionblock.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/p51k_raf3.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/p51k_raf1.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/p51k_raf2.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/p51k_raf4.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/p51k_raf5.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/p51k_raf8.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/p51k_raf9.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/p51k_raf7.jpg

[Cag40Navy]

Ooooh! RAF Birde! Cant wait to fly'er!

[skyhawka4m]

John...do you have a text template for the data plate on the fuselage?

[Bomber_12th]

John, it is contained on the 'Stencils' layer of the paintkit, if that is helpful to you? If you are referring to the font that I used, it is 'ArmarilloUSAF', at size 6, for the larger text within the first three lines of the data block. I hand-spaced the letters/words in order to get the proper spacing according to the layout of the actual stencil.

[ColoKent]

Is there a paint kit available for this now? Stunning pics!Kent

[Bomber_12th]

Kent, there is indeed! Though this particular variant is one that comes with the "Little Friends" product. There are already a few great schemes coming together as a result of the painkit, however, as shown in the release thread for the "Little Friends" product at the top of the page.

...I'll just take this opportunity again to say, that anyone who has purchased Warbirdsim's "Little Friends", and would like a copy of the paintkit, just let me know via PM. ; )

Thank you Kent for the compliments on the screenshots too!

[LordAkshay798]

Catchy title there and beautiful pics! :applause: Are those 3d gauges in the cockpit?

[Naismith]

How come a Mustang in RAF markings looks "right", yet stick any other nations decals on a Spitfire or Hurricane just looks wrong? Well to my eyes anyway.:wavey:

[stiz]

cos the RAF roundel if the right and proper identification for anything that flys, but then i am a little biased :icon_lol:

The plane looks absolutly smashing bomber, i just wish i had more funds, love your B/C models :applause:

[CODY]

Kent, there is indeed! Though this particular variant is one that comes with the "Little Friends" product. There are already a few great schemes coming together as a result of the painkit, however, as shown in the release thread for the "Little Friends" product at the top of the page.

...I'll just take this opportunity again to say, that anyone who has purchased Warbirdsim's "Little Friends", and would like a copy of the paintkit, just let me know via PM. ; )

Thank you Kent for the compliments on the screenshots too!

P.M. Sent.....


Cody

[warchild]

How come a Mustang in RAF markings looks "right", yet stick any other nations decals on a Spitfire or Hurricane just looks wrong? Well to my eyes anyway.:wavey:

I believe its because the Brit's had a sense of "style" we Yanks barely explored.. The Spit, Hawker and Mossy were some of the most beautiful aircraft ever developed, stemming i believe from an innate sense of competitive racing. We yanks built things heavy, and rugged. for the most part. Its like comparing Caddilac's to Jaguars. There is no comparrison.

The Mustang and the Spit, look enough alike that they could be brothers ( not twins, but brothers ), but you put that little roundel on a jug and all of a sudden it doesnt look quite right.. It grates against the sensibilities. Heres this big rugged caddilac looking plane, with this stylish little roundel .. It just doesnt work.. On the other hand, try putting american markings on a Lanc and keeping your cookies down.. That doesnt work either.
Pam

[Bomber_12th]

Catchy title there and beautiful pics! :applause: Are those 3d gauges in the cockpit?

Yep, every last gauge is 3d-modeled, including the fuel tank gauges in the floor boards and behind the armor plate (which are my favorites of them all).

[Bomber_12th]

The Mustang is indeed very European for a WWII-era U.S. fighter-plane design. Elegant and compact in its streamlined contours, it was more similar to a British Spitfire, or a German 109 in design characteristics, than that of its U.S. contemporaries, such as the brute P-47's, Hellcats, and Corsairs. This was due, in some measure, to the fact that the UK goverment was involved as much as it was in the original design of the NA-73X.