Ammo, Frenchy, Sancho, Widewing.............

[Hangtime]

Lots of  combat aircraft of the era saw a series of paint modifications in theatre.. the winter schemes were different every year, and the spring repaints often saw the insignia upgraded, changed. New Squadron CO's would often order trim changes also.

When I did the research on a P-51 I modeled I found three photos of the same plane.. 43-44 spring (Pre-DDay) 44-45 winter, 45 spring, all with diffrent insigina detailing, ID stripes and squadron paint trim schemes. Pick a date on Lucky's time line and have fun.

[Sancho]

yep, there were a lot of different paint schemes used over time often changing the look of a single plane.  clearly the color plate is a later paint scheme than the photo.  Not only is the insignia surround is blue instead of red (which was only used for a few months in mid-late'43 I think), but the white ETO identification bands on the tail are painted out with green paint, and the cowl front end is red instead of the earlier white.

Also, the red-nosed, early '44 'Lucky' should have a paddle blade prop.  Which specific brand of paddle blade prop on 'Lucky' is unclear.  Beware the Thunderbolt on page 52 says the following:  

January 4, 1944: VIII FC FO 212, Ramrods to Munster.  All P-47 groups operational.  This was the first mission by the 56th Fighter Group with all P-47s now equipped with the "paddle bladed" props.  The new props had either Curtiss "long-wide" or A.O. Smith "short-wide" blades.

Now, I don't know which one Lucky used, and I've never seen an A.O. Smith prop, only the Curtiss and Hamilton Standard types.  Anybody got a picture of one of them AO Smith props, or more appropriately, a late photo of Lucky?

[-ammo-]

great reference, I wish I had that when I was arguing for the paddleblade on the AH D11:)

[eddiek]

Naw, the price is trivial, seeing as how I've been waiting two years for this store to have a Jug model available in that scale.
I paid $41.00 for it, got it at a store in Amarillo, called Hobbytime.
If you want, I can get the last one they had on the shelf for ya and mail it to you.  
Debating on using the kit canopy or getting a vac-formed one.
As to the colors, well, I want it to look good, but I am not anal about the "exactness" of the colors.  
They stock Tamiya and Testors Model Master, and Polly Scale paints; in the past I have tended to lean towards the Testors paints and have a nice inventory of them.  I noticed the cockpit photo listed some Tamiya colors, which I looked at yesterday, but didn't buy yet.
So, if I use the Testors Olive Drab and Neutral Gray, technically the model will be correct, though some will be quick to point out their opinions that I erred and the color is not perfect.
I'll send pics of the model at various stages, but first I am gonna finish the 1/72 Razorback I have.
Bought decal paper and intend on putting together all the stuff I need, such as the "Lucky" on the cowling, the correct plane serial number, etc.  My airbrush skills are not what they used to be after such a long time away from the hobby (15 years since I built ANY type) so doing the stuff freehand is not really feasible.