1/48 Accurate Miniatures P-51C Mustang

Gallery Article by Konley Kelley on Jan 20 2009

 

The Tuskegee Airmen P-51C Mustang
Model, Warbird & Digital Diorama

The Tuskegee Airmen
The 332nd Fighter Group, better known as the "Tuskegee Airmen," was a WW2 combat unit comprised of U.S. African-American pilots. These brave airmen rose above discrimination and became respected by both friendly and enemy pilots. At war's end the group achieved 111 aerial victories, 150 strafing victories and even sunk a German warship. Above all, the Tuskegee never lost a bomber to enemy air attack, a feat unmatched by any other fighter group in WW2.

The Model
I built the Accurate Miniatures 1:48 P-51C in the markings for Lt. Lee Archer, Jr. Lt. Archer named his aircraft "Ina the Macon Belle" after his wife. Lt. Archer was the only 332nd pilot to officially achieve Ace status by shooting down five enemy aircraft.

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I have displayed Lt. Archer's P-51C in two digital dioramas using Photoshop. The dioramas also feature a 1:72 B-24J Liberator and a German BF-109E.

The Warbird

I visited the excellent Cavanaugh Flight Museum in Addison, Texas in December, 2009, when it hosted one of the few flyable P-51C Mustangs in the markings for a Tuskegee aircraft.

The Hero
In 2008, my son Kurt and I attended an airshow at the Cavanaugh Flight Museum. We had an opportunity to meet a living legend, Tuskegee pilot, Lt. Calvin J. Spann. Thank you Lt. Spann for your courage and service to our country.

For more digital dioramas and 3D art, please see my website at www.shortfuse3d.com and you can e-mail me at konman@gte.net

Konley Kelley

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Photos and text © by Konley Kelley