Mali Hyena Mustang

[comrade harps]

North American/Trans Florida Aviation F-51D Mustang
Hyena Squadron, Mali Air Force
Bamako/Senou, Mali, 1964

Little is known about Mali's Mustangs. 24 were received between 1961 and 1964, all of which were re-manufactured by Trans Florida Aviation to zero-hour the airframes and engines. They were mostly used for internal counter-insurgency duties, including strikes, convoy protection, armed reconnaissance and close air support. However, it was as an adversary trainer for the many UN air and land forces in Mali that the type is best remembered.




Hyena Squadron was the Mustang's primary operator. Mali's first combat squadron, Hyena was crewed with mostly foreign pilots during the 60s, including seconded pilots from UN air forces and mercenaries. However, it was in the hands of the indigenous Captain Cheick Sy, flying his personal mount, 53, that the Mali Mustangs made a name for themselves. Between 1963 and 1967, Captain Sy made several gun camera kills against UN fast jet aces during dissimilar air combat training.

Mali finally retired their Mustangs in 1972 in favour of the Embraer EMB-326 Xavante.

[kitnut617]

Very nice and interesting camo there ---- 

[Taiidantomcat]

Cery cool camo reminds me of some of the modern computer generated patterns. Proving once again comrade, you build better than any human could 

[NARSES2]

Lovely scheme 

[sequoiaranger]

REALLY like the four-color camo scheme!

Reminds me of what I have in mind for an American Indian aircraft whif, with black-on-pink "beaded" camo reminiscent of a Gila Monster!

[Pablo1965]

This scheme has struck me especially. I will not forget it. 

[GTX]

Wicked scheme!

[pyro-manic]

Spectacular!

[Geoff]

Spectacular!

Yes!

[johnsjunk]

Cool Camo!!!!

[Ed S]

Nice looking Mustang. Great Camo! I'm curious which kit & scale.

Ed

[tc2324]

Great camo. 

[comrade harps]

Thankyou for your encoraging words about the Hyena Mustang.

The camo was seen in some hypnogogic moments and day dreams. At one point it was going to be a Red aggressor trainer, but I went with the Mali decals because they were less obtrusive on the camo.

I'm curious which kit & scale.

This is another 1:72nd Italer kit. I've built a few of these, so I didn't bother looking at the instructions. I bought the kits for its ordnance, to be used on a future build (an A-26 Invader with a few little mods - I'm waiting on sourcing the radar pod). But when the visions of the desert camo started to infiltrate my waking moments, it had to be built, and I did so in less than a week.

Thought you might like the scheme.

[ChernayaAkula]

Awesome camo scheme!  So awesome, I nominated it for a Whiffie^TM!

[Old Wombat]

Thought you might like the scheme.

You were right! Awesome camo!