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North American P-51 Mustang Part 3
Published on
Review Author(s)
David Horn
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$13.70
Product / Stock #
72-037
Company: Lifelike Decals - Website: Visit Site
Provided by: Lifelike Decals - Website: Visit Site
Decals
Aircraft

Lifelike is one of leaders in aviation decals with a unique variety of markings, usually hard to find subjects. This set covers one subject but six variants. I did not have a clue there were this many renditions of “Big Beautiful Doll” (BBD). Three restored P-51D Mustangs sported BBD markings over the years following WWII. Tragically two of these crashed recently, with one in 2011 where the pilot bailed out successfully after colliding with an A-1 Skyraider at Duxford England. The second crash in Arizona resulted in two fatalities in 2016.

The six subjects, all markings worn during WWII and flown by John D. Landers and two airframes include:

  • P-51D-5-NA 44-13923 Markings of 38FS/56FG (Aug 5 1944) and 357FG (Nov-Dec 1944)
  • P-51D-20-NA 44-72218 Markings (3 versions) of 78FG (Mar-June 1945) and 361FG July 1945

The instruction sheet gives a comprehensive history of each set of markings and notes to help replicate aircraft configurations down to details of main wheel tread type. The sheets are printed perfectly without any print register errors and very nice accurate colors. With six choices of markings, there are only enough markings to finish one subject. It may be possible to build both airframe subjects with this sheet if you use various aftermarket stencils and insignias.

I would like to thank Lifelike Decals for this review sample.

Decal Sheet

Reviewer Bio

David Horn

David Horn Photo

I have been building models since at least 8 years old and with a brief break after high school, model building started again late in college. My preferred subjects are aircraft of all eras and scales but a majority of my builds are 1/48 scale. I am the son of a USAF navigator who flew tactical airlift in Vietnam then his last 8 years he served at Altus AFB where he retired. My love of aircraft comes naturally and try to build subjects that I have a personal connection to. My day job parallels the hobby where I design full flight simulators ranging from small corporate jets, military fighter jets to the C-17. I hold a commercial pilot certificate and fly as a volunteer with the Civil Air Patrol. I really enjoy flying cadets, passing on the love of flight and inspiring future aviators.