P-51 Mustang III/NF, 644 Squadron, RAF

[The Rat]

644 Squadron was officially formed on the 23rd of February, 1944, in preparation for Operation Overlord, but the number had already been used, unofficially, in 1941. In order to determine the feasability of using the well-proven Mustang in the night-fighter role, some Mustang III aircraft, fitted with the Malcolm Hood, were painted in an all black camouflage.



Trials, and combat, showed that, while much more manoeuverable and faster than the Boulton Paul Defiant, the imminent arrival of Defiants equipped with airborne interception radar would probably be the equal of the Mustang in terms of effectiveness, and they were released back to day fighter squadrons. It is not known how many kills were recorded during their 2 week operation, but one must assume that it was not impressive enough to change future plans. The code letters FE were used by the aircraft involved, and retained when 644 was officially formed a few years later.





Kit is the Academy P-51C, released with the markings for the Tuskegee Airmen. Those decals were used on other 'what if?' projects, and a good thing too; they were CRAP! I wouldn't want to sully the legacy of those brave men by making replicas of their aircraft with such shoddy markings. Paint is Tamiya X-1 gloss black, with Tamiya XF-86 flat clear, decals from various scrap pieces in the bin.

[PR19_Kit]

That looks REALLY good Ratty! 

It works remarkably well, and the all-black scheme really suits the Mustang.

[2996 Victor]

Looks absolutely brilliant and excellent back story! I did wonder where you were going with this but it's certainly plausible, and the Mustang would have made a far better night fighter than the Spitfire due to its undercarriage alone! Great stuff!

[Dizzyfugu]

Looks better than expected - all-black can look pretty dull, but it works surprisingly well in this case. 

[The Rat]

Thank you, gentlemen!

[zenrat]

 

[NARSES2]

That works well Ratty 

[Glenn Gilbertson]

That looks a mean beast!

[kitbasher]

 

[su27rules]

   Nice!1