The North American P-51D Mustangs with the 15th AAF (MTO) Italy
During March 1944, the 15th USAAF 306th FG was notified, that the 31st Fighter Group (FG), 52nd FG (both operating with British Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IX’s) and the 325th FG (flying early Republic P-47D’s) would receive the new North American P-51 Mustang.
Initial deliveries were P-51B’s and P-51C’s, most in NMF (Natural Metal Finish), with a few OD (Olive Drab) aircraft. The supply of new aircraft initially was slow, starting early April 1944, so the transition of the units to combat strength took some time. Finally, the 31st FG flew its first P-51 mission on 16 April 1944, followed by the 52nd FG on 10 May 1944 and the 325th FG on 27th May 1944.
Early May 1944, the new, improved P-51D with the teardrop-canopy and a 6-gun-installation began coming off the production line at the North American Aviation, Inglewood, CA, plant, and the new aircraft began arriving in the MTO, in late May 1944. All three Fighter Groups began receiving the D-models from 6 June 1944 and soon started using them alongside the B- and C-models during missions.
This is where the story of the subjects from this set begins…
P-51D-5-NA Mustang ‘WD-M’, ‘PENDAJA’, s/n 44-13287, Spec. Proj. No. 90674N
4th Fighter Squadron, 52nd Fighter Group, 306th Fighter Wing, 15th Air Force
P-51D-5-NA Mustang ‘3’, s/n 44-13465, Spec. Proj. No. 90694R
306th Fighter Wing, 15th Air Force
P-51D-20-NA Mustang ‘91’, ‘The Partisan’, s/n 44-15636, Spec. Proj. No. 90940R
319th Fighter Squadron, 325th Fighter Group, 306th Fighter Wing, 15th Air Force
P-51D-20-NA Mustang ‘HL-B’, ‘Tempus Fugit’, s/n 44-63237, Spec. Proj. No. 91006R
308th Fighter Squadron, 31st Fighter Group, 306th Fighter Wing, 15th Air Force
P-51D-15-NA Mustang ‘42’, ‘Creamer’s Dream’, s/n 44-15472, Spec. Proj. No. 90938R
301st Fighter Squadron, 332nd Fighter Group, 306th Fighter Wing, 15th Air Force
WHAT IS IN THE ENVELOPE:
– Decal sheet for 5 P-51D Mustangs
– Bonus decals
– Background stories, history and details
– Photo quality profiles and instructions
– Aircraft detail guide
– Colors and painting guide
– Personal notes area
Find them in my eBay store.
Stallions in Italy
1/72 PV-006-72
1/48 PV-006-48
