Tamiya 1/32 P-51D "Petie 3rd"

By Chris Krom

Well after almost a year I am calling her done. I have received countless help from LSP members on this one. I have received decals, tires, and masks from multiple LSP members. I also received help from 352nd FG historian Sam Sox Jr. I would like to thank everyone that helped me.

Now to set the scene. January 1st 1945 the German Luftwaffe are mounting a massive offensive against allied air bases in a last ditch effort to achieve air superiority in Europe. This was kept so secret their own anti air cannons were firing upon them as the left their airbases. Having a strong feeling the Germans would try something on New Years day Lt. Col John Meyers was the leader of the 352nd Fighter group the Blue Nosed Bastards had been begging command to allow him to go up on patrol. Command would not allow it so Meyers had his squadron preflighted and waiting on the runway. A small group of P-47 Thunderbolts ran into the Germans just a few miles from Y-29 were Meyers was at the RAF airbase designated Y-28. As Meyers spotted flack firing above Y-29 he ordered his squadron to take off. As the P-51s were reaching the end of the runway a Fw 190 pulled into strafe them. Meyers dispatched the German plane before he even had his landing gear up. He was able to get one more victory that day before he landed because he was out of ammo. This battle that was to be called the battle of Y-29 was one of the biggest air battle of history. Meyers won the Flying Cross for his actions that day.

This is how I feel his plane would have looked on the ground rearming to go back up.

Tamiya 1/32 P-51D "Petie 3rd"

By Chris Krom

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