1/48 WWII Fighters

Gallery Article by Chris Causey on July 9 2012

 

 

Hello Fellow Modelers.  I am back with some newly completed models.  I live in Florida and like to build models that represent the state and its military aviation history. I have had a lot of fun just researching the history of these aircraft and the rolls they played during WWII. I hope you will enjoy the models that I have made. 

 

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The first aircraft is a P-51D Mustang called "Miss Miami" from the 77th fs/20th FG stationed at RAF Kings Cliff in England. The pilot 1st Lt Ernest C Fielbelkorn earned 9 aerial victories during the war. I actually got 3rd place for this model at the Space Coast Model Show last year. The second aircraft is a P-51B "Miss Florida" from the 362nd FS/ 357th FG, flown by James B Badger JR and stationed in Leiston, England during the war. The third P-51D "Tallahassee Lassie" flown by Maj Thomas D Jarnette from the 462nd FS/ 506th FG and stationed at Iwo Jima airfield. Jarnette earned 13 aerial victories during the war in the pacific. The last aircraft is a P-47D Thunderbolt also named "Tallahassee Lassie" flown by Maj Ralph C Jenkins from the 510th FS/ 405th FG and stationed in Dorsettshier southern England. Jenkins had 3 aerial and 9 ground kills.

The 3 models in 1/48th scale, P-51s and P-47 are Revell kits. The 1/32nd P-51 " Miss Miami " is a Dragon model kit. All where very challenging to build because of the bare metal finish on them. I used Floquil bright silver for the bare metal look. Revell kits are a classic kit that is easy to come by most of the time and very inexpensive to buy. Most of the decals are home made using the computer and some clear decal sheets. Overall I am satisfied with the way they came out. I am always learning new and better ways to build models even though I have been doing it for over 20 years or so. I consider myself an average model builder but I do want to get better at it as time goes by. I have just in the past 3 or 4 years started to compete in hobby shows locally in Jacksonville and Florida and have Learned alot by other fellow modelers and got alot of great tips and advice as well. Keep modeling guys and enjoy it and the camaraderie that it comes with. Its the only thing that will keep you sane nowadays.

Chris Causey

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Photos and text © by Chris Causey