During WWII F/L Arthur S. "Joe" Dooley flew Spitfires and Hurricanes with the Nos. 610 and 87 Squadrons of the RAF. In February 1945 he transferred to No. 19 Squadron flying P-51 Mustangs on long range operations over the North Sea. Over time salt would make the aircraft look worn so Dooley's Mustang was sent for an overhaul and replaced by a new natural metal Mustang Mk.IV KM272 / QV-V. Dooley had "Dooleybird" painted on the left side of the fuselage along with a blue and white spinner and engine cowling.

Designed to meet an RAF requirement for fighter-bomber and reconnaissance aircraft, the P-51 Mustang was first flown on October 26th, 1940. This versatile aircraft was capable of escorting bombers on long-range missions, engaging in dogfights, and dropping down to destroy German targets on the ground. At least eight versions of the P-51 were produced, but it was the definitive P-51D that gave the Mustang its classic warbird appearance. Britain and the US both tested the airframe with the Rolls-Royce Merlin engine, which gave the aircraft tremendous performance gains. The Truman Senate War Investigating Committee called the Mustang "the most aerodynamically perfect pursuit plane in existence."

Hobby Master's 1:48 scale P-51 Mustang is a well-thought-out, quality product, constructed almost entirely from diecast metal with intelligent use of plastic components. The sliding canopy opens to reveal pad printed flight controls, instrument panel and radio equipment boxes. The all-metal propeller spins freely, and the wing flaps and radiator cowling are also movable. Separately applied metal exhaust stacks have six flanged pipes on each side, and pad printed rivets can be seen on the flaps, engine cowling and rudder. Landing gear and doors are constructed as a complete subassembly for easy configuration. Releases in this series include a variety of wing mounted external fuel tanks and ordnance.

Info:     Mustang Mk IV - RAF No.19 Sqn, KM272 Dooleybird, Joe Dooley, 1945