Chris Bucholtz Posted January 14, 2025 Report Posted January 14, 2025 Arma's 1:72 P-51B/C is a great kit, with an almost absurd level of interior detail out of the box. I added Eduard exhausts, Barracuda Studios wheels, and extra wiring in the wheel bays and radio compartment, brake lines, and some canopy hardware. The plane depicts "Kitten," which some people may know as Charles McGee's plane; after he rotated home, it went through depot overhaul, received its tail fillet, and was re-issued to the 332nd, being assigned to the 301st Fighter Squadron and pilot Leon "Woodie" Spears. He flew it from January to April 1945. On April 24, during a mission to Berlin, Woodie was hit by flak that removed a large portion of one wing. Turning east, he crash landed between German and Russian forces. He was taken prisoner by the Germans for three days, then was left behind when the Germans retreated. It took until May 10 for him to return to his group. Woodie lived near me, and we spent a lot of time together - he and I are pictured at Industrial Light and Magic in February 2008 in the last photo. 1
ghodges Posted January 14, 2025 Report Posted January 14, 2025 Very nice Pony build and a fitting legacy to the man! My understanding is that a lot of the Mustang pilots actually preferred the B model to the D. Was that the case with Woodie? Thanks for posting and sharing! Gil
Mark Deliduka Posted January 14, 2025 Report Posted January 14, 2025 Magnificent work and what an honor to commemorate such an incredible man!
Chris Bucholtz Posted January 14, 2025 Author Report Posted January 14, 2025 2 hours ago, ghodges said: Very nice Pony build and a fitting legacy to the man! My understanding is that a lot of the Mustang pilots actually preferred the B model to the D. Was that the case with Woodie? Thanks for posting and sharing! Gil He never said - although the B/C was faster than the D by a shade. Woodie went on to fly as a "Mosquito" pilot in Korea in AT-6s. His flying career ended on a mission when his brother George, in a P-80, was shot down and killed attacking a target Woodie had identified. He was so shaken up he was taken off flight duty - in fact, he was a nervous flyer for the rest of his life after that. 2
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