1/48 Accurate Miniatures P-51C

by Mike Lepek

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This is the 1/48 Accurate Miniatures P-51C kit. I added the True Details Cockpit and wheels along with the Flightline decals sheet with markings for Excalibur III. The plane was painted with seven coats of Testors Red # 1104 which was polished and then the decals were applied. After letting the decals set for a few days, I then sealed them with four coats of Floquil Hi Gloss.

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Excalibur III, NX1202 was bought surplus after World War II by Paul Mantz. Mantz used this aircraft in several Bendix Trans-Continental Races from Van Nuys, California to Cleveland, Ohio. Charles Blair purchased NX1202 in1950 to fly around the world. Events in Korea changed his plans. Blair flew the Mustang on a Trans-Atlantic speed dash, setting a record for a single engine, piston powered aircraft with an average speed of 450 mph. This record still stands today. On the return flight, Blair flew Excalibur from Norway across the North Pole to Fairbanks, Alaska again setting a speed and distance record. After the flight, Pan American World Airways who Blair flew for, purchased Excalibur for donation to Smithsonian Institution and is now on display and the Udvar-Hazy Center, Dulles Airport

Mike

Photos and text © by Mike Lepek