1/72 RAF North American Mustang FR.V, Malaya, April 1954

[KiwiZac]

Airfix 1/72 North American Mustang FR.V PS888 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

A few weeks ago I thought how neat an F-6D photorecon Mustang would look in the colours worn by an RAF Spitfire Mk.XIX. Imagine my surprise when a couple of days ago an Airfix F-51 turns up in a care package from Leading Observer, along with an Airfix Spit XIX which would not be needing its decals!

Airfix 1/72 North American Mustang FR.V PS888 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

I haven't got a backstory beyond the Spitfire XIX not working out and the RAF instead ordered the F-6D, now designated FR.V (Fighter Reconnaissance), which gave excellent range as well as having hardpoints and guns.

Airfix 1/72 North American Mustang FR.V PS888 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

I love New Airfix kits. This is the second time I've built their Mustang, and I had no problems except the aerial mast was possibly shortshot as it was very thin and broke when I tried to trim flash off it. Spares to the rescue!

Airfix 1/72 North American Mustang FR.V PS888 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

Airfix Spit XIX kit A02017 donated its (very sparse!) decals for the national marking and serial, whereas the base Mustang gave a lovely selection of stencils which I used in their entirety. I used Humbrol 230 PRU Blue and (I think, I didn't note it down) Tamiya XF-83 Medium Sea Grey 2 (RAF) to adapt the XIX's paint scheme, which I think works rather well. I also dove into my spares box to find the loop aerial and oblique and vertical camera ports fairings, for which I drilled the side apertures and then got some Humbrol Clearfix over all three.

Airfix 1/72 North American Mustang FR.V PS888 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
Airfix 1/72 North American Mustang FR.V PS888 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

I'm pleased with how this worked out and I hope you like it!

[chrisonord]

That's very nice  Zac, and it has given me  a use for a mustang I  have  in the stash. 
Chris

[Leading Observer]

Nice work If I'd of thought of that the Mustang might not have found its way to NZ

[Dizzyfugu]

Lovely - a nice sister ship to my own (high altitude) recce Mustang in RAF colors. It was based in Hong Kong, with RAF 80 Squadron:

1:72 North American Mustang FR.6, aircraft "W2-Q/TV416" of RAF 80 Squadron, Tengah Air Base, detached to Kai-Tak Airport, Hong Kong; 1950 (whif/Hasegawa kit conversion) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

[zenrat]

Neat neat neat.

[KiwiZac]

Thanks gents! It went together quickly and was a very pleasant build. It was nice to have an idea and then have the necessary bits turn up, out of the blue!

Nice work If I'd of thought of that the Mustang might not have found its way to NZ

That's very nice  Zac, and it has given me  a use for a mustang I  have  in the stash. 
Chris

Happy to help! My original plan was all-over PRU Blue but I thought the scheme for PS888 as supplied by Airfix could be interesting. I'm pleased with how it turned out!

[sideshowbob9]

Just lovely.

[NARSES2]

That's come out really well Zac. 

I did one in a very similar scheme a couple of years ago. Mine had the upper colours extending lower down and red/blue national markings. It's on here, although currently caught up in the PB mess 

[andrewj]

I really like this one , the colours suit it perfectly, well done indeed.

Andrew

[KiwiZac]

Thank you gents!

[comrade harps]

Neat neat neat.

As I was going to simply respond with "neat" that makes 4. 

[Captain Canada]

Thanks for the updated pics ! She sure does look good. Now I want one. And for sure, those Airfix kits are awesome !

[KiwiZac]

Thank you gents!

Now I want one. And for sure, those Airfix kits are awesome !

I love New Airfix! And I still have an excuse subject in mind for yet another Airfix 1/72 Mustang.