Academy 1/72 P-51B Howard Hughes' Trans World Airlines escort fighter.

[CSMO]

In a days following WW2, Juan Trippe of Pan Am and Howard Hughes of TWA worked to gain a big share of world airline and freight service on a global scale. In war ravaged regions of the world, desparate remnants of many air forces found employment as mercenary air pirates preying on anything that flew. They were employed by third-world tin-pot dictators or powerful local warlords. To combat this the big airlines formed their own long-range escort units. This inexpensive war surplus Mustang is an example of the fighters that provided escort to the passenger and freight carrying aircraft of TWA. There was no shortage of trained pilots to fly them.

The model is built OOB with the Malcolm Hood and 75 gallon tanks. The paint is Testors square-bottle Flat Silver. The decals are a remnants of a Wayne Fowler sheet for 1/200 & 1/144 DC-3s(also used on the Arado 234 Reno air racer, also posted here).

The kit was a Stash Queen for a long time until I had this hot idea. Adios, , Larry.

[pyro-manic]

I like that. Nice concept!

[loupgarou]

Interesting scenario. Could offer a lot of interesting developments.
BTW, even without pirates and warlords.
Before WW2, in south America, Panam and other companies arrived NEARLY at fighting, after refusing help to aircraft and crew in distress etc.
(from Putnam's Panam history, sorry I had sold it long ago  )
Just a little step more....
But in this case, they wouldn't advertise their line.

[Tophe]

Pleasant civilian Mustang

[Dizzyfugu]

I like that. Nice concept!

Me too!  Sweet idea

[sandiego89]

Thirded! Excellent idea to open a whole range of WHIF's. Can think of some twins that would be perfect: Mosquito for BOAC, Lightning, a float plane fighter for Pan Am Clippers, etc etc etc. 

[royabulgaf]

Sounds like a job for the Blackhawks?

[Captain Canada]

Interesting ! I always liked the Mustang with a Malcolm hood.....just looks right. As for the thought of not advertising...how would you know who was who ? Would they have formed some sort of air police ?