Early P-51/Mustangs - Data and Paper Model Comments

[shrike]

The decals would have been present when the prop was first delivered, but wouldn't have been replaced after service or overhaul unless they were returned to the factory.


Between the 18 and 24 inch station on the cambered side, each detachable blade bears markings as follows:
1 Air Corps serial number
2 Part number
3 Blade angle settings
4 Date of installation....


To prevent glare the face side of the propeller blades may be coated with antiglare. this coating extends from the 24 inch station to the tip. maroon lacquer is preferred, but if not available maroon enamel may be used.


TM 1-412 Technical manual Aircraft Propellers
Oct 21 1940 edition (but marked and in use Dec 6 1943)


No mention officially of yellow tips there but I can look more

[airdave]

thanks shrike!

Originally Posted by Bomarc

Looks great Dave! I believe the yellow tip is on both sides of the blade.
Mike

thats what I would have said!...but I can't seem to find a photo that doesn't show plain black props (no yellow on the rear facing side)
other than model aircraft, which all seem to have yellow on both sides.

[Bomarc]

Dave

"Polar Bear" is a modern day restoration which includes parts from a variety of models A, B, and even D. Here's a period photo:



Mike

[airdave]

Yellow tips....I still see some aircraft with the tips painted yellow (both sides) and some without...maybe this is not a standard requirement or practice?...and maybe both patterns are acceptable?


anyway...please watch for an announcement soon, regarding many of these issues and the related modifications I have made to my repainted Mustangs!

Thanks Ron, for starting this thread and offering up some good info and discussion!
I hope we haven't sidetracked the thread too much with all the talk related to my repaints.

I appreciate the info and as a result have made extensive modifications to my models.
All for the better I hope...because I think you guys are knowledgable enough to demand and expect some better effort put into these models!

[member_3]

Sorry - was tied up with T-day and exploding garbage disposals...missed the prop tip discussion. Based on the the 20-25 photos available to me ( about half of which show the rear of the prop) it looks like these aircraft (US and Brit) were delivered with yellow tips (front and back.) Once they had been in the field awhile it looks like anyone's guess after that! The photos of "factory fresh" aircraft mostly show yellow front and back. The "war worn" aircraft seem to have black tips on just the rear of the blade or no yellow tips at all. Hope this helps...

[wag]

I remember from my days working at a small airport that the rear face of the prop blades took most of the abuse from sand,rocks,etc.,and most likely all that was available out in the field was spray can black. I'm looking forward to Airdave's updates-please feel free to do an A-36!
Wayne

[shrike]

I know the USN called out tip markings very specifically, but I still haven't been able to find or cite a USAAC/USAAF policy.

I would guess that in service any yellow the backsides might be painted out to prevent distracting flashes.

Just an FYI - spray paint in cans wasn't available until 1949

[airdave]

thats a good point!...I could see the pilot blacking out the back side of the prop to reduce that visible distraction from the spinning prop.

I have gone ahead and coloured the backsides of the prop with yellow tips.
and modified the props once more to be a little more blunter/rounded at the ends.



I want to thank Ashrunner, who has helped me greatly with the updates of this "Dazzle" Mustang kit!!
He has supplied me with some reference photos that I had not seen
and lots of great new info regarding this particular model of plane.
As a result, I have made extensive mods that should be much more accurate to this particular aircraft!

The new Kit will go out today (hopefully).