North American Mustang Mk. IVA 112 Squadron, Royal Air Force Cervia, Italy, May 1945 Here is the final piston-engined aircraft type operated by 112 Sqn, the Mustang IVA (P-51K); a mixture of Mk.IV's (P-51D) and IVA's were operated from February 1945 until December 1946. Up to approximately the end of hostilities in Europe these Mustangs were painted in the normal camouflage, just as the previous Mk.III illustration. After that they were left in natural metal finish with Olive Drab anti-dazzle panel in front of the cockpit, and the code letters in black instead of white, all other markings remaining the same. Note that yet again the serial number (KH774) is overpainted, by the individual aircraft ident letter "S". The Mustang IV's and IVA's were used alongside the remaining Mk.III's mainly in the ground attack role with bombs, though they did also fly longer-range missions with fuel drop tanks underwing. After a period in Northern Italy on occupation duty after the war's end the Squadron was disbanded at Treviso on 30th December 1946
Copywright Jeff Smith aka 416th_co_bambam nov2 02
Copywright Jeff Smith aka 416th_co_bambam nov2 02
