This folder contains a repaint for the A2A WoP3 P-51D Mustang (with AccuSim), in the colors of P-51D-5-NA 44-13557 5E-E "Easy Does It" as flown by Lt Richard 'Spider' Smith of the 1st Scouting Force, 8th AF. Lt. Smith was a B-17 plot with the 303rd BG and had completed his tour of 35 missions in october 1944 when he was made an offer he could not refuse. As all pilots, he had been dreaming of flying a fighter and was disappointed when he was assigned to the bombers. He now was asked to join the newly formed scouting force, which used experienced bomber pilots to scout ahead of the bomber force flying Mustangs. After 6 hours in a T-6 and 10 hours in a P-51, 'Spider' (so called because of his physique, tall, with long thin limbs) flew his first missio in a P-51 on 6 december 1944 in an old 364th FG P-51D-5, which he named 'Easy Does It' after it's callsign E. The name 'Betty' on the canopy rail referred to his future wife back in the US, but also to a nurse he was dating in the UK. On his 26th mission, on 1 april 1945, flying lead to Leipzig, his engine caught fire on the return flight, and he had to bail out over Belgium. He broke his arm when he hit the tail on bailing out, but otherwise landed safely. He was sent home to the US and came back just before his 21st birthday, having flown 60 missions. HIs story can be read here: http://www.rccr1957.com/spider.pdf.
He did not crash with this aircraft though, this was damaged during a ground collision in the winter of 1944-45, was repaired and was now flying with the 487th FS/352nd FG as Maj. 'Wild Bill' Halton's 'Slender, Tender and Tall', where it finished the war.
Repaint by Jan Kees Blom, based on the A2A paint kit.
He did not crash with this aircraft though, this was damaged during a ground collision in the winter of 1944-45, was repaired and was now flying with the 487th FS/352nd FG as Maj. 'Wild Bill' Halton's 'Slender, Tender and Tall', where it finished the war.
Repaint by Jan Kees Blom, based on the A2A paint kit.
