1/48 Tamiya P-51D Mustang

Gallery Article by Eugene Tan on Aug 27 2013

 

 

John James Voll was the third highest scoring P-51 ace of the war and the highest scoring USAAF ace in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations. He joined the 308th Fighter Squadron of the 31st Fighter Group in May 1944, and became an ace in July that same year.

On 16 November 1944, Voll was leading an escort mission to Munich when his plane experienced electrical problems. He left the formation and was returning alone when he spotted a lone enemy Ju-88 over Udine, Italy. The Ju-88 attempted to escape back to its base, and Voll proceeded to chase it down. Suddenly, he was ambushed by a group of 12 enemy Bf-109s and Fw-190s from above him. Voll quickly shot down the Ju-88 and, in an incredible display of courage and tenacity, turned his fighter to take on the entire enemy group on his own.

In the following 5 minutes, Voll shot down two Fw-190s, one Bf-109, damaged another two planes, and had two probable kills before the surviving enemy planes fled in terror. When his commander learned of Voll's feat, he feared that time was against Voll and hence decided that it would be his last combat mission. Flying 57 missions in total, Voll had achieved 21 kills to become the highest scoring ace in the 15th Air Force.

Voll was sent to China as a headquarters staff officer in the Chinese-American composite wing. After the war, Voll returned home and taught for two years as a teacher at his alma mater, Goshen High School, from 1946 to 1948 before being recalled to active duty. He served in the Korean and Vietnam War and held various command posts before he retired from the Air Force on July 31 1974. John Voll passed away at age 65 on September 12, 1987.

 

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This is my third Tamiya Mustang. I had some trouble with the fit on this one but I think it turned out okay. The markings are from Lifelike Decals, and they went on beautifully but be prepared to do a little trimming for the stripes. The model was painted with Tamiya spray cans.

Thanks for looking and happy modelling.

Eugene Tan

      

Photos and text © by Eugene Tan