This is a repaint pack only for the WWII Fighters P-51D. P-51D 44-72364 was built at the North American Aviation Inglewood plant in 1944. It was sent into action with the 353rd Fighter Group, 352nd Fighter Squadron, 8th Air Force. The aircraft was flown by Capt. Harrison "Bud" Tordoff, who named it "Upupa Epops", latin for the Hoopoe Bird which has ungainly flight. At war's end Bud Torduff had claimed nine enemy airplanes shot down, one of them an Me-262 shot down while flying "Upupa Epops." After the war the aircraft was sent to the Royal Swedish AF, then flew with the Dominica AF from 1952 until 1984. Paul Allen, of Microsoft fame, purchased the aircraft in 1999, adding it to his growing muesum, the Flying Heritage Collection. The aircraft immediately went to WestPac, in California, for restoration. During this time period it was restored inside and out, matching every component to every specification of the original, utilizing documents upon documents of information. When the aircraft completed restoration in 2001, it was the most original, most authentic of its type. After several test flights in its factory finish, the original "Upupa Epops" markings were applied. Currently the aircraft can be seen at its newest home, with the Flying Heritage Collection, at Paine Field, near Seattle. Included within this download are two repaints, one portrays exactly how "Upupa Epops" looked when it rolled out of WestPac's shop after restoration, in factory standard, and the second portrays the aircraft complete with markings.
by Bomber_12th (2007-10-03 21:11:28)
by Bomber_12th (2007-10-03 21:11:28)
