TC, I believe in one of your earlier build reviews of this kit, you used a P-39 prop. I'm still looking for that sweet piece.

This kit once, you start falling down that rabbit hole with regards to accuracy it falls short. I believe, that the cannon armed Mustangs that the AAF used for the North Africa campaign would have a dust filter mounted on top. The kit supplied nose is for a British aircraft fighting in the ETO. You would have buy a A-36 kit for its dust filtered nose do surgery. However, for now if your married to plastic kits this is the only game in town. Although, Eduard is developing a Mustang B/C kit. They may have enough info from developing that kit to do a Allison powered kit.

Looks excellent so far, my friend @stephen-w-towle! Great that you sourced a P-39 prop, along with other goodies. Looking forward to your next steps!

Stephen W Towle (@stephen-w-towle)
It's been a while since I have checked in... You have done some great work here, and I will keep it in mind about the different propeller you used. I have recently picked up an Accurate Miniatures P-51A and I want to build all three planes in a cool picture that Dana Bell used on the cover of one of his books.

Your posting has inspired me to get back to work on my previous Mustang builds. So please take a look for some updates on the "LOU IV" 1/32 scale Revell Mustang, and the planes in the 1/48 scale Mustang Kindergarten soon.

I have now repainted the D Day invasion stripes on "LOU IV" and plan on painting the Dark Blue and OD Green soon...

Spiros (@Fiveten ), your comments are a pick me up. I get a kick out reading how a guy half way around the world collected models and visited Hobby stores over the years and can be so productive in making kits. I've been doing the same for over 40yrs. Delete the word productive and add the word slow. But, I always get where your coming from.

Rumpelstiltskin here, how I missed this remarkable thread of several craftsmen at their best on the dynamic Mustang. Especially over a year and still somehow missed any of the updates posted throughout the year. As I slumbered over the vast info or your venture, your sharing of info and skills are well documented with a bond which makes this hobby much more enjoyable sharing each others tehcniques and reviews as you proceed on your indivividual subjects. Another point is those who are not participating but still share any issues of each model project in progress pointing out any hiccups they may have encountered and the help to advise about any issues. But in the end an amazing group effort for everyone involved. Thanks for sharing and keep it up, I'm strapped in now for the final finish.

George R Blair Jr (@gblair) good observation the aircraft was always evolving to meet the needs of the situation at hand.

When the AAF was doing day light bombing with out the need for escort along with the Brits doing their bombing at night the losses of airmen once the press got a hold of some of the numbers forced the AAF to take a closer look at the Mustang. Also, the Brits were facing the Fw-190 which was putting pressure on the RAF and their Mk V Spitfires. The politics and the reality of combat helped change the technology of the Mustang into adapting the Rolls Royce Merlin engine. I still like doing this Allison powered version. Allison engines could be abused more than Merlin powered engines and they could pull the a/c farther running at lower rpms. Considering the U.S. entered the war late and the number of years of development for such a short period of time relative today's aircraft is amazing.

Here is a photo of a Cannon armed P-51 1A. With the recoil springs mounted in the front A/c is being tested by NAA and the intake scoop has a coke bottle shape.

1 attached image. Click to enlarge.

Great use of photos to get the info you need, Stephen W Towle (@stephen-w-towle). Looks like you will be busy, Louis (@lgardner). Looking forward to the continuing story of everyone's builds.