1/72 Hasegawa P-51D Mustang

Gallery Article by Fernando I. Moreno Villa on Dec 7 2010

 

P-51D Mustang - Corps d'Aviation d'Haiti

Haití, the first independent nation of Latin America, has also one of the most turbulent histories of the region.  It was until 1950 when Haití had fighter planes for the first time, acquiring 4 second-hand P-51D which flew for many years, mostly to protect their Presidents from military coups and rebels in and out the country.

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The old Hasegawa kit doesn’t need presentation.  It is greatly done, nice surface and interior details.  Although it has raised panel lines, they are crisp, accurate and finely done.

Having so few references about these Haitian Mustangs, that I relied only in the pictures and art from the Hagerdorn's book which showed one single example painted in light gray and equipped with large fuel tanks adapted from a F-86. So that was the one I chose to represent here.

Construction went straightforward. The most difficult part was to find the fuel tanks with the correct shape and to attach them to the wings. The UHF antenna came from an old T-6G Texan kit, modified in size and shape. Decals are from the Zotz Roundels of the World series, which are great but not accurate.  However, I gave myself some historical license to complete this project on time.  

I hope all of you liked this strange bird. I appreciate the help received from fellow modelers who gave me a hand with the fuel tanks and decals.  

Thank you all and regards from Monterrey, México.

Fernando I. Moreno Villa

Photos and text © by Fernando I. Moreno Villa