P-51 Tuskegee Airmen - Airdave models

[nebeltex]

...lest we forget Don Hinz. i count this man as a friend, and a hero. he would be proud of any modeling effort to highlight the "red tail" legacy. he passed doing what he loved, and something he believed in. we should all be so lucky...

P-51 Mustang News: Don Hinz Lost in crash of CAF P-51C - 29 May '04 -MustangsMustangs

[milenio3]

Originally Posted by deckape

Ahoy Geraldo
Looking very very good top notch craftsmanship and clean build Hardy well done.

boats

I'm very honored and glad you like my plane, my friend Boats!

Originally Posted by rmks2000

Very nice build! I've got this kit along with AirDave's cockpit add-on, but I'll need to check if my kit has wheel wells. Otherwise I'll have to get the other add-on that you mentioned. Thanks for the heads up.

Rmks2000, you've got all direction from Cmags, which was my guide too. I bet you won't have any issues.

Originally Posted by ashevilleangler

Very nice work my friend!

Curt

Thank you, Curt!!

Originally Posted by nebeltex

...lest we forget Don Hinz. i count this man as a friend, and a hero. he would be proud of any modeling effort to highlight the "red tail" legacy. he passed doing what he loved, and something he believed in. we should all be so lucky...

P-51 Mustang News: Don Hinz Lost in crash of CAF P-51C - 29 May '04 -MustangsMustangs

Of course, Nebeltex, I'm glad you mentioned Don. In fact, I see it as the 2nd part of this project's dream... to never surrender. The Red Tail Project team was stopped for a few years, but Don Hinz dream prevailed for the continuation of the project. Now kids all over the country can be inspired by his dream, and learn about the Tuskegee Airmen courage, so they can also reach out for their own dreams. And I can add that whoever learn about the Tuskegee Airmen can also be inspired... I am for sure.

[milenio3]

And the last step...



And this is complete... I give you the

P-51 Mustang Red Tail "Tuskegee Airmen"











I hope you like it.

And here are some pictures of the real deal, along with the Red Tail pilot I met in Houston.

(If somebody can help me to identify his name, whom authograph is in the previous picture, I´ll appreciate it a lot. Col Blefoy maybe?)



Happy Holidays everyone!!

[NStarkel]

Looks great!

[sparrowhawk]

I studied some history some 20 years ago, but I never got thru to this subject. Last summer I got myself Chris Bucholtz´s book about the Tuskegee Airmen: Fascinating read.

Thank you Gerardo, for this building report! I prefer the high tail Mustangs over the classical bubble canopy versions, they look more elegant. The red tail emphasizes this strongly. Well, I might give it a try.

Regards, Martin

[milenio3]

Thank you guys!

Yes, Martin, in fact I was wondering if the 332nd used the C version or the D version of the Mustang. I haven't got any further on the research. But Lucas' film shows D versions, as far as I know.

I guess I still need more to read.

I will come back with another Red Tail Mustang, the "Macon Bell", which came with the first kit of Dave's model.

[birder]

Nice one Gerardo I guess some performance improvements also prior to adding an extra 50cal per wing, per Bud Anderson description. I spoke to a Kittyhawk pilot recently who reports the extra visability was a significant improvement, though. (they graduated to p-51's to escort b-29 missions to Japan)

[rmks2000]

Great job!

[milenio3]

Thank Glen and rmks2000!

And here is the picture of the pilot's signature who was on the Wings Over Houston Air Show, that as I said, with all the excitement I forgot to ask his name.

Can anyone here can help me to identify him?

[Don Boose]

Your model is superb, Gerardo, and it is wonderful that you were able to meet some of these great pilots. You have really done a lot for the preservation of aviation history with your models and your interaction with fliers of the past.

Don