@fiveten, thanks a lot, Spiros. A very enjoyable build, especially since this is a gift from my good Greek friend

Well done, John (@johnb). The little things all add up, the open canopy, the brake lines, the plumbing on the drop tanks and the pre-shading for the Olive drab, even the smudges on the spinner make for interesting viewing. Following along on everyone's build has been food for thought. After looking at your drop tanks John, I had to do some research on plumbing for the paper tanks, learning there are more than one type of drop tank each with a different arrangement for plumbing. Looking forward to your photo shoot of what is now John's Tamiya Classic.

Some progress, my theory on the paint job of Mustang #137322 is that the wheels were painted in red and the front half of the prop/ spinner being red. With the back half being painted in RAF green taken from the available paint stocks in either North Africa or Italy. With green leaning more towards a dark forest green. Areas, around and in front of the cowling where touched up with the RAF paint and around the cockpit and wind screen where also, touched up with the same color. While the tail section was painted to act as a back round for the American flag. Again, in the RAF paint.

The more I look at the prop . . . its clunky and out of place. More suited to being on trainer or better yet a tractor. It has no place on a Mustang. TC, sourced out a Spitfire prop will try the same.

3 attached images. Click to enlarge.

Great paintwork, Stephen @stephen-w-towle.
The hypothesis on the shading seems very plausible.
Leaving the propellor on would not be noticed by most people, but if you have the possibility to get it replaced, it will give yourself a bit more satisfaction. To me it looks already great the way it is.

I've been dealing with family matters and life in general

However, I've had several days to work on this early model P-51A1. Basically, this kit is a study of two photos. Which were posted in black and white. I'm thinking the red nose cone was partially painted in British green and the wheel hubs were painted red. This kit is a photo bird and the port window has been modified to represent a window modified for a camera. However, I believe that the window was blown out to fit the off set camera mount. The camera window is not accurate but, is more of a clue for the a/c' s use.

3 attached images. Click to enlarge.

She looks really good, Stephen @stephen-w-towle

@clipper - all those P-51s are various varieties of awful. Try an Eduard P-51 and enjoy Quality.