NAA NA-73 Mustang Mk1a (with pictures)

[TallEng]

North American Aviation NA-73 Mustang Mk1
In April 1938, shortly after the German Anschluss of Austria, the British government established a purchasing commission in the United States, headed by Sir Henry Self.[13] Self was given overall responsibility for Royal Air Force (RAF) production and research and development, he also sat on the British Air Council Sub-committee on Supply and one of his tasks was to organize the manufacturing and supply of American fighter aircraft for the RAF. At the time, the choice was very limited, as no U.S. aircraft then in production or flying met European standards, only the Curtiss P-40 came close. Unfortunately all production was earmarked for the USAAF.
North American Aviation (NAA) was already supplying its Harvard trainer to the RAF, but was otherwise underutilized. Realizing this, Self asked if NAA could manufacture the Tomahawk under license from Curtiss. 'Dutch' Kindelberger president of NAA said NAA could have a better aircraft with the same engine in the air sooner than establishing a production line for the P-40. The Commission stipulated armament of four .303 in (7.7 mm) machine guns, the Allison V-1710 liquid-cooled engine, a unit cost of no more than $40,000, and delivery of the first production aircraft by August 1940.[15] The Legend that would be the Mustang had begun. Fittingly the first Squadron to introduce the Mustang into combat would be One of the three fighter squadrons formed with volunteer pilots from the United States, prior to America's entry into the war in December 1941. The first Eagle Squadron, No.71, was formed on 19 September, 1940, at the height of the Battle of Britain.
Originally The Squadron was equipped with Miles Master training aircraft, although they soon began to receive the Mustang Mk1.  Unfortunately as the Battle of Britain progressed it became obvious that the Allison engined Mustang was not a performer above 13,000ft and the new Mustang was quickly labeled a low level performer, which was not the area of operations for RAF fighter command, it was however the territory of Army co-operation command who were looking for a replacement for the unpopular Curtiss Tomahawk. Thus it was that No. 71 Sqn had to give up its Mustangs for them to be replaced by Spitfire's in late 1941. And No 26(AAC)Sqn based at Weston Zoyland received its first (ex 71Sqn Mustang) in January 1942. Approximately 50 Mustangs were converted to take four 20mm Hispano cannon at RAF Speke, and some were issued to the Squadrons these being known as the Mustang 1a

Enough of Wikipedia (cough)

I'll admit a lot didn't go right with the build, the canopy didn't want to fit, the paint wouldn't dry, etc etc.
Then I found I had no Matt varnish and the codes should have been medium sea grey.....
It very nearly became a casualty
But It didn't ...

Mustang Mk1a AM101 'D' of No 71 (Eagle) Sqn, RAF Martlesham Heath, April 1941







Regards
Keith

[kerick]

Hmmmm what if the Merlin installation taken place right off the bat?

[PR19_Kit]

That does look rather good, despite it being a PITA to build. 

[zenrat]

It looks very good.

Compared to the bubble top Mustangs the early ones alway look lazy to me.  I know, an odd thing to think but that's what pops into my mind when I see one.

[kerick]

Very nice work!

[Dizzyfugu]

Nice! I have an early Mustang in Dak Earth/Dark Green on the long agenda, too (though later in WWII), and was curious how it would look like. 

BTW, what kit is this? The Special Hobby kit?

[TallEng]

For those that need to know the Kit is the Italeri Mustang, kit No. 090, which comes with machine gun or canon options, bombs and typical 'Mustang' style drop tanks. It's not a bad kit, but one suspects that better ones are available 

Regards
Keith

[The Rat]

Glad you didn't chuck it, that's a beauty! 

[Captain Canada]

Love it. The colours and camo look great. Love old Mustangs.....well, all Mustangs ! Glad you carried through with this one.

[NARSES2]

Nice one 

[nighthunter]

I don't remember the maker of the kits* of the early Mustangs that I built, but they were fun to assemble. Surprised that you didn't include the nose guns, but she looks good either way!

*Edit: They were the Italeri offerings!

[Dizzyfugu]

For those that need to know the Kit is the Italeri Mustang, kit No. 090, which comes with machine gun or canon options, bombs and typical 'Mustang' style drop tanks. It's not a bad kit, but one suspects that better ones are available 

Regards
Keith

Thank you for the info, Keith.