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Calling Mustang Experts P-51D Short Fuse Sallee

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  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: PORTO PORTUGAL
Calling Mustang Experts P-51D Short Fuse Sallee
Posted by Nuno Andresen on Thursday, August 28, 2003 7:31 PM
Help needed here fellows:


What is wrong in the two decal sheets aready issued by Aeromaster for the P51-D Short Fuse Sallee (not the early ?

Where can I find good quality pictures of the aircraft at the time of the D-Day invasion? Searched the web ,and so far the result is minimal.

Is there some wartime color pictures availlable?

Are the invasion stripes in the wings OD top and Black in the bottom (?!?!?!)

Are there any pictures showing the external fuel tank types or any kind of ordinance?

What were the mission profiles? Ground strike or pure dogfight and air escort/patrol.

Is there any combat records availliable for the missions made by Richard Turner on the commands of his P-51D?


Anything you may have is very welcomed!


Many thanks in advance!
Nuno
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Pominville, NY
Posted by BlackWolf3945 on Thursday, August 28, 2003 8:47 PM
Hiya Nuno,

This is a pet project of mine, I intend to build every incarnation of 'Short-Fuse Sallee' someday.

Anyhoo, here's some shots that may help you out:













All the above shots are of the same aircraft, 44-13561, the only major differences apparent in these images being the arrangement and style of the kill markings. The last image shows the aircraft with the style of kill markings it was supposed to have worn at the time of the invasion, but I haven't been able to confirm this yet.

Notice that in all of these photos the invasion stripes have been removed from the upper wing surfaces and the black theater ID stripes re-applied, indicating that these shots were taken some weeks after the invasion. Note how the theater stripe on the top of the port wing aligns with the inner white stripe on the bottom.

The inflight shot was taken in late July, 1944. At this time the aircraft still carried invasion stripes on the lower wing surfaces, it wasn't until later that the authorization to remove them was handed down.

The two photos below show Turner's last Mustang, called 'Short Fuse'. He dropped the 'Sallee' because he had received a dreaded "Dear John" letter. Even though this aircraft isn't the one you asked about, I though I'd include these shots anyway.

Anyhoo, Turner flew this aircraft after the 354th traded in it's P-47's for Mustangs; a much welcome move for the pilots of the "Pioneer Mustang Group", who thought they should never have given up their Ponies in the first place!





As to the types of missions the group flew, they would have flown a mix of escort and ground attack missions around the time of the invasion, just like any other fighter group in the ETO. Although there would have been more air to ground work because of the sorry state of the Luftwaffe, even at that date. I'll see what I can put together for you as to specifics...

Also, I've yet to find a color shot of any incarnation of 'Sallee', so if anyone has any leads along these lines I, too, would be eager to hear about it.


Fade to Black...
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: UK
Posted by gregers on Friday, August 29, 2003 1:00 AM
Hi Nuno, out of curiosity have you read the book Mustang pilot by Richard Turner? it has a color pic of sallee on the cover and has mission records in it if i remember correctly and has tie ups of his fellow pilots and their aicraft and it is a damn good read too ....Greg
Why torture yourself when life will do it for you?
  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: NE Georgia
Posted by Keyworth on Friday, August 29, 2003 5:59 AM
Great info, Steve. What's you r source(s) for the photos? I have Turner's book and have built two variations of Short-Fuse Sallee, but I hadn't seen some of these pics. - Ed
"There's no problem that can't be solved with a suitable application of high explosives"
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Pominville, NY
Posted by BlackWolf3945 on Friday, August 29, 2003 11:00 AM
If the edition of 'Mustang Ace' that I have is the same as the one mentioned above, it's a color painting of the aircraft, not a photo. Sad [:(]

Ed, most of these shots came from various rags and a couple books: 354th FG by Bill Hess published by Osprey (Aviation Elite Series) and Aces & Wingmen II - Vol.2, also by Bill Hess and published by Aviation Usk.

This second volume is long outta print and quite difficult to find. At the 2002 NATS in Virginia Beach I was able to buy out all the copies they had brought of this book to the show, as well as the earlier Aces & Wingmen II - Vol.1, (gotta love evilBay...) but they said that they did have more back home. So if anyone's interested, visit the Aviation Usk Nebraska website and search the place or drop them a line.


Fade to Black...
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: PORTO PORTUGAL
Posted by Nuno Andresen on Friday, August 29, 2003 4:44 PM
FABULOUS FABULOUS FABULOUS FABULOUS!!!!!!

Steve , Thank you so much! Really one of the finest replies I saw in all these wonderfull modeling forums.

Trully all the best to you!

With my best regards,
Nuno





QUOTE: Originally posted by blackwolfscd

Hiya Nuno,

This is a pet project of mine, I intend to build every incarnation of 'Short-Fuse Sallee' someday.

Anyhoo, here's some shots that may help you out:













All the above shots are of the same aircraft, 44-13561, the only major differences apparent in these images being the arrangement and style of the kill markings. The last image shows the aircraft with the style of kill markings it was supposed to have worn at the time of the invasion, but I haven't been able to confirm this yet.

Notice that in all of these photos the invasion stripes have been removed from the upper wing surfaces and the black theater ID stripes re-applied, indicating that these shots were taken some weeks after the invasion. Note how the theater stripe on the top of the port wing aligns with the inner white stripe on the bottom.

The inflight shot was taken in late July, 1944. At this time the aircraft still carried invasion stripes on the lower wing surfaces, it wasn't until later that the authorization to remove them was handed down.

The two photos below show Turner's last Mustang, called 'Short Fuse'. He dropped the 'Sallee' because he had received a dreaded "Dear John" letter. Even though this aircraft isn't the one you asked about, I though I'd include these shots anyway.

Anyhoo, Turner flew this aircraft after the 354th traded in it's P-47's for Mustangs; a much welcome move for the pilots of the "Pioneer Mustang Group", who thought they should never have given up their Ponies in the first place!





As to the types of missions the group flew, they would have flown a mix of escort and ground attack missions around the time of the invasion, just like any other fighter group in the ETO. Although there would have been more air to ground work because of the sorry state of the Luftwaffe, even at that date. I'll see what I can put together for you as to specifics...

Also, I've yet to find a color shot of any incarnation of 'Sallee', so if anyone has any leads along these lines I, too, would be eager to hear about it.


Fade to Black...
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: PORTO PORTUGAL
Posted by Nuno Andresen on Friday, August 29, 2003 7:42 PM
I ordered the book yesterday at bookfinder Greg! thank you for your cooperation, may be in a nearby future we can discuss the content of the book!

Best regards,
Nuno

QUOTE: Originally posted by gregers

Hi Nuno, out of curiosity have you read the book Mustang pilot by Richard Turner? it has a color pic of sallee on the cover and has mission records in it if i remember correctly and has tie ups of his fellow pilots and their aicraft and it is a damn good read too ....Greg
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: A Spartan in the Wolverine State
Posted by rjkplasticmod on Saturday, August 30, 2003 8:44 PM
Osprey Aviation Elite #7 "354th Fighter Group" by William Hess includes a color profile of Turner's last Mustang, a B&W photo of his first Mustang and a breif bio on his career. Overall an excellent read and reference.

Rick
RICK At My Age, I've Seen It All, Done It All, But I Don't Remember It All...
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, August 30, 2003 9:37 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by rjkplasticmod

Osprey Aviation Elite #7 "354th Fighter Group" by William Hess includes a color profile of Turner's last Mustang, a B&W photo of his first Mustang and a breif bio on his career. Overall an excellent read and reference.


I think that was already mentioned above...
  • Member since
    April 2014
Posted by r13b20 on Sunday, August 31, 2003 7:24 PM
wild bill, I gotta get 1941 on dvd. love that shot!
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