P-51 Mustang WIP

[gamary]

Pierce McKennon's Ridge Runner III. Added some weathering and effect to the gear panel. Also had to create the Spitfire rear-view mirrors and AN/APS-13 (OK, that part wasn't too hard )



BTW, does anybody know what the red thingamagic above the data block and right of the boar is? I've represented it but I haven't a clue what it is.

[mclaring]

Gaeten le Grand,

Mon vieux, the petit red circle may be the earth point for refueling wing tanks. the other earth point was behind the main fuselage (red) fuel cap. in other theatres the earth point was painted dark (black striped) yellow. If translating a B&W photo, are you sure you have the right color ? take my comments as suggestions - i cannot comment authoritatively on this ! Try me on A-20Gs, especially dash 20 series (my expertise). btw, good work

Michael Claringbould

[gamary]

Here is the source:



As I've never seen it on any other 51, I suppose it's painted/decal. On the other hand, it does look like some sort of recess with red glass covering on the picture, so I really don't know.

Merci pour le vieux! I'll try to find a really tough A-20G-20 question for you. Just wait. lol

[Vacajun]

GM,

Man, trivia questions like the "red ball" drive me nuts! There was no grounding marking on the P-51, or structural fitting at that location. Like you, I couldn't find any other Mustang with such a marking. I remembered a local friend, Henry Lee, who flew with McKennon's 335th FS and knew him well. I've printed the photo and sent it to Henry for his remembrance. By the way, when you enlarge the photo, you could convince me that the "red ball" is a side view of a woman with typical 1940s hairdo! Hope Henry comes up with the answer.

Joe

[gamary]

Thanks, Joe! Mark Styling made a sort of light out of it, but I'm not sure that's right. (See here). Will be looking forward to the answer!

[Jesters-Ink]

Now then, there will be a few who think I have gone mad saying this . . . . but it looks bloody close to being a fuel port to me.

[Vacajun]

Answer (until disproved!). GM, I think that's a late war retrofit of formation lights (one also usually on rear fuselage in national insignia). Take a look at "Ain't Misbehavin'". Will confirm with henry.

Next theory?

Joe

[Vacajun]

GM, one mpore input re "foul weather lights":

Foul Weather Lights

[CRIPES_A_MIGHTY]

Good enough for me!..nice info Vacujun.
Considering the amount of 51 books I have..it's not something
I have really noticed before. Goes to show, you learn something new everyday.!

[gamary]

Looks like you've found the answer, Joe! Thanks!