Somali F51D

Morian Miner · Post by **Morian Miner** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 5:22 pm

Finally got this one repainted this weekend. One less project on my to-do list.

After the Italians pulled out in 1960, they gave the Somali AF 8 Mustangs. These served until 1968 until the MiGs starting coming. Somalia was at war with Kenya during this time, but no one has found any proof these were used in any operations.

The tough part about this guy is there is only one picture of it on ACIG.org, and that's based on some Portuguese model kit from the 70's. Also, this is the first time I've tried using the pastels with alcohol. Usually I use water, and they end up getting washed out under the Dullcote. So, this one turned out heavily weathered, which I figure isn't too bad, since many of the Africa air forces have poor maintenance records.

tmanthegreat · Post by **tmanthegreat** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 5:57 pm

Good work! I like how you chose an obscure Mustang paintscheme. Its pretty funny, but there were many small nations using Mustangs, P-47s, and other WWII vintage fighters well into the 1970s. A number of those fighters have since fallen into the hands of collectors. I wonder what ever happened to the Somali Mustangs?

steelbonnet · Post by **steelbonnet** » Tue Sep 05, 2006 12:53 am

Nice work & the treatment you gave this Mustang certainly makes it look like it`s been round the block a fair few times.

Nice work indeed mate

Ja
Steel Bonnet

Morian Miner · Post by **Morian Miner** » Tue Sep 05, 2006 6:43 am

Oh yeah, one disclaimer

The checkerboard on the nose isn't correct. But, I liked the checkerboard and couldn't bring my self to paint over it, so I decided to leave it.

Folkwulfe · Post by **Folkwulfe** » Tue Sep 05, 2006 7:41 am

You've probably already seen this but..."A few aircraft, most probably eight, that had served with the ‘Squadriglia Caccia Aviazione Somalia’ based at Mogadiscu (Somalia was an Italian colony until 1960) were handed over to the newly formed Somalian Air Force after the P-51’s were struck off charge; but photos and further information are still elusive."
According to other sources, the eight F-51's were serialed 59 thru 68 (not all numbers were used). Follow-on aircraft like the MiG-15 were coded "CC" in front of the serial, so this might have also been used (or started) with the F-51. All of their F-51's were definately ex-Italian Mustangs.

Morian Miner · Post by **Morian Miner** » Tue Sep 05, 2006 8:34 am

http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_188.shtml

Pretty much, this is the only photo or drawing I've ever been able to find for this bird. Later on, I may try to find more details specific to the Italian Mustangs, but for right now the paint is good enough for me.

RED · Post by **RED** » Tue Sep 05, 2006 11:05 pm

Nice job!!!!---RED---