Post
by tko211 » Wed Apr 18, 2007 10:14 am
Roy Sutherland from 21st Century Toys has been reviewing this thread and asked if I would post this on his behalf. -enjoy.
Hi guys,
I’d like to take a few minutes to respond to the “Old Crow” Markings discussion. Please understand that I take the researching of paint schemes very seriously. When the paint master was being created, the painter and I discussed the details of this scheme in detail. We scoured many reference books and discussed the 357th markings (and 8th Air Force markings in general) at length. We wanted to make sure that this replica was as accurate as it could be. In the end we decided that painting the name on one side only was in keeping with general practices at the time. We were well aware of a number of restored Warbirds that carried the name on both sides of the cowling, but basing research on Warbirds is not a good idea. A vast majority of Warbirds contain many errors or liberties taken to make the aircraft more attractive. Many well known P-51s had name art only on one side of the cowling. After a search turned up no photos of the starboard side of the nose of #414450, I made a decision.
The release of Old Crow seems to have reignited interest in the issue. I have been in contact indirectly with Bud Anderson and his son, Merle Olmstead (a respected historian with a vast knowledge of the 357th), and even heard some feedback from Jack Rousch, owner of the Warbird “Old Crow”. Bud himself is sure that the name was carried on both sides of the nose. Now, this would seem to be enough to put the issue to bed, but as any detective or police officer will tell you, memory is not a reliable witness. This is not to say that sometimes it is not very accurate. But many times, details get murky within hours, and after 70 years, it’s hard to tell the accurate recollections from the less accurate. All that aside, Bud Anderson is an impressive man and sharp as a tack. I have seen him speak on a number of occasions and met him twice. He has my deepest respect and gratitude.
As a researcher, though, I try to get to the truth. I have continued to dig for more substantial proof, but there appear to be no photos of Old Crow taken from the starboard side. A new photo has emerged of an aircraft named Pretty Pix. This, I am told, is the same P-51D #414450, after it had been reassigned to another pilot. The photo shows the starboard nose and the name Pretty Pix painted in the place “Old Crow” would be. On close inspection, the photo seems to show some ghost of overpainted lettering in the area. There is disagreement if the lettering is there or if it is just staining or dirt, but it seems to me that it certainly could be the ghost of an O. This is enough for me to conclude, along with Bud’s clear recollection, that Old Crow was carried on both sides of the nose. We will certainly be willing to print a correction decal and send it on to anyone who wants one. I’d like to ask your opinions. Obviously, we cannot recall the model, send it back to the factories and repaint it. Would a correction decal be an acceptable resolution?
I work very hard to make these airplanes as accurate as they can be given the time and budgetary concerns. Much research goes into each scheme, and I stand behind everything we do. We do make mistakes from time to time, but it is not because we are not trying. We will continue to bring you cool new products and cool new schemes. Our new Me-262 S1 will feature the most complete and accurate paint scheme ever. Every color and marking, including wheelwells, gunbays, gear, and engine intakes have been exactly matched to the superbly accurate 262 in the NASM. I think you will be impressed.
Thanks for your time.
Roy Sutherland
Designer/ Product Manager
21st Century Toys
) I recieved a near-perfect example, as seen in the above pictures, and this is now my favorite of the 21c Mustangs. It simply has the right balance of paint apps & markings so as to not look too flashy and yet not too plain. Great job! 
