**** DONE : 1/48th scale N.A. Mustang III, HB837, 541 Sqn, R.A.F., Group Build.

[Airframes]

User name Airframes.
Name Terry
Category Judge (non competing)
Kit ICM 1/48th scale Mustang P51B
Decals from the spares box.



Here's my entry for the Group Build, which I hope to start just as soon as I finish the Lanc and the Harrier, which should be within the next few days.
I'll be using the ICM P51B kit, which appears to be excellent, although I envisage a couple of minor alignment 'trials', there being a lack of locating pins on the fuselage halves.
541 Squadron was formed on 19th October, 1942, being drawn from 'B' and 'F' Flights of the PRU at Benson.
It's main equipment at the time of 'D-Day' were Spitfire XI's, X's and XIX, and these were supplemented, in early June 1944, by three Mustang III's, serial numbers FX855, FX952, and HB837. These were converted for PR use, with oblique cameras mounted in the radio compartment, and near the rear of the radiator outlet, both facing port, and were fitted with the 'Malcolm' hood, and retained the armament of four .50 cal Brownings.
The aircraft were used for Photo Recce work to provide 'up to the minute' pictures of the beach head and battle area, and beyond, serving throughout the summer, eventually 'retiring' in April, 1945.
(Profile of FX952 by R.J. Caruana.)

[imalko]

Great choice Terry. Looking forward to your build.

[rochie]

very nice Dogsbody

[kgambit]

Going to be a sharp looking build. I can tell.

One question. PRU = Polish Resistance Unit?

[imalko]

Dwight, I think it means "Photo Recconaissance Unit".

[kgambit]

Dwight, I think it means "Photo Recconaissance Unit".

D'OH! Thanks Igor.

[rochie]

PRU means Photo Reccon unit.
Lol .... you beat me to it Igor

[Airframes]

Thanks guys. Sorry, I should have known that not everyone would know what PRU meant - didn't expect Polish Resistance Unit though!!
The PRU was the main establishment for the gathering of photo recce pictures (and film) for the allies, and was a specialised unit, commencing with 1 PRU, embracing a number of Squadrons, flying mainly unarmed aircraft, such as the Spitfire and Mosquito. Later, 'Fighter Reconaisance' aircraft were added, such as the Spitfire FRIX, which were armed with the normal armament of the Mark (in most cases), and carried (normally) only the oblique mounted cameras, as opposed to the vertical and oblique cameras of the 'true' PR Spits. Another unit, which came under the control of 1 PRU, but was more or less autonomous, was the FPU, the Film Production Unit, which provided camera men and aircraft, for filming actual missions. A rather dangerous job in most cases! Many of the low-level raids you might have seen footage from, such as Mosquitos and beaufighters, were filmed by FPU, whereas the vertical and oblique 'still' photography was the domain of the PRU., generally high-altitude work, but some of it at extreme low level!!

[kgambit]

........ didn't expect Polish Resistance Unit though!!

I was just trying to think outside of the box ....

[Crimea_River]

Looking forward to this one Terry. Nice choice.

[B-17engineer]

Annnnnnnnnd We're off.

Good choice T.

[Wildcat]

Interesting choice Terry. I've never seen a Mustang in the PRU blue scheme before.

[DBII]

no unit marking?

DBII

[Airframes]

The PRU aircraft didn't normally carry unit markings during WW2 DB. Some aircraft would display a single code letter, but in the main, on PRU Blue aircraft, it was just the serial number. Also, the fuselage roundels were smaller, and of 'Type B' (Blue/Red), like the upper wing roundels, and the fin flash omitted the white stripe in most cases. No underwing markings were carried.
Andy, as there were only three Mustang IIIs with PRU, and they only came on strength immediately before D-Day, they aren't that well known. Although I knew of them, I hadn't seen any pics at all, until the profile appeared in an edition of Model Airplane International last summer. I still haven't been able to find any photos of them though. The Allison engined Mustang 1 was, of course, used for tactical recce work with the RAF, as well as Army co-operation, replacing the P40, and these were also used at D-Day, but in normal 'Day Fighter' camouflage, and with full squadron codes.

[Heinz]

Very cool Terry!