[Steve1971]

Hey guys,

I was at my local Walmart today just looking around and got lucky. I was looking at the 21st Old Crow Mustangs and to tell you the truth they all had bad paint apps save one. And this one just happened to have the clear plastic at the top of the box pushed in. I took it to the manager and what does he do? Says he will give it to me for $30 bucks! That includes tax! I couldnt resist and I couldnt say no. Like I said the plane was almost perfect save for minor scratches on the nose but otherwise it was perfect and it was all there. The manager either thought that the box had been broken into and was missing parts or he was just in a good mood, either way I think I got a good deal for a plane thats going for $39.95. On top of that I always wanted to get this version of Old Crow and I would have last time but I passed on it to get BBD. Then I read Col Bud Andersons book "To Fly And Fight" and talked to his son Jim and my mind was changed. Bud's book is a must read and being a big fan of the 357th it was only natural to get Old Crow. For some reason I dont like the BBI Old Crow and I think its because I dont like the Olive Drab scheme which I have no clue as to why BBI choose that scheme for Buds Old Crow when in fact the NMF version is the most popular and Buds favorite. I heard that 21st is offering an Old Crow decal for the other side of the nose so it looks like I will have to send an email to Roy Sutherland about that. I also see that 21st didnt put swastikas on it as well.


Now that Old Crow has joined my stable of Mustangs that makes it now 4. Its time to stop and move onto the 1/32nd Mustangs which I did see at Walmart. They were Bald Eagle and the British Mustang. I would like to get both of them but only have the funds for one. But I'm glad Old Crow has landed and at a cheap price! I just couldnt say no.

[STARMAN 352ND]

Check out Bad Cats they used to have the decals for that silver Old Crow.
JP

[Steve1971]

Originally Posted by STARMAN 352ND

Check out Bad Cats they used to have the decals for that silver Old Crow.
JP

Hey starman,

Ya I know I saw them on their site. But why pay for them when Roy was offering a decal of Old Crow to anyone who bought the plane? I emailed him but got no response yet. I just hope he stands behind what he said. I cant believe 21st made the same mistake BBI did on their Old Crow. You would have thought they would have learned from them. We shall see.

[STARMAN 352ND]

When i first got my Old Crow they said the same thing...It's been what 3 or 4 months now and still no decals from them.
So i just ordered them and put them on myself....I was told it may be months before they get them out .....If they ever do it.
Vexillarius Decals makes them and they are great.
JP

[Steve1971]

Hey starman. I just got an email from Roy Sutherland and here it is:


Hi Steve,

That’s an interesting subject. There is still disagreement among experts whether or not the name was carried on both sides. There are no photos showing that side, and it certainly was not a common practice with the 362^nd at that time. Bud Anderson says it was there, but memories from 60 years ago can be misleading. I have read accounts from WWII pilots that are filled with factual errors and things that were remembered incorrectly. Bud said he never had white wall tires on his D model, but photos clearly show them on his aircraft. Please understand that I mean no disrespect to him in any way. But I am trying to represent history accurately.

Still, most people want the name on both sides. You can get decals to complete the kill markings and to add the Old Crow name to the other side of the fuselage from Vexillarius decals, available exclusively from BadCat Toys.

Thanks so much for the kind words and taking the time to write.

Sincerely, RoySutherland


So I take it from this email that there will be no decals coming from 21st Century Toys at all for Old Crow. This sord of bugs me in a way because 21st and Roy had said they would offer a decal of Old Crow because of the mix up. Now basically Roy is saying that this is no longer the case. Bud has an excellent memory and Roy is saying that Buds account of having Old Crow on the other side of his P-51D Mustang is wrong and he is saying that Bud said he never had white wall tires on his D model Mustang as well. Well Bud had white wall tires on his P-51B not the D so Roy is wrong there. Roy must have seen Buds B model Mustang with the white wall tires and thought it was his P-51D. Not the case. I have talked with Jim Anderson, Buds son, and he said he has pics of his fathers P-51D with the name Old Crow on the other side of the cowling. It seems to me Mr. Sutherland is calling Bud Anderson a liar and that his memory is wrong or he is saying Buds to old to remember correctly. Well I have met Bud on 2 occasions and in my opinion his memory seems VERY good. This has left a bad taste in my mouth for 21st Century Toys because they say they offer accurate products. Well how accurate are they when they are questioning the people that flew the planes we collect? AND to top it off Mr. Sutherland should not offer something when they aint going to deliever what they say. Thats fine though. Because I will order the Old Crow decal set along with the swastikas they refuse to put on their planes for fear of offending people or whatever reason they may have for doing it. But dont insult one of the greatest Aces of our time, and I know some may say he didnt, but to me he did by saying after 60 years his memory may not be what it is.

This email from Mr. Sutherland just knocked 21st down a couple of notches in my book.

[hworth18]

I have talked with Jim Anderson, Buds son, and he said he has pics of his fathers P-51D with the name Old Crow on the other side of the cowling. It seems to me Mr. Sutherland is calling Bud Anderson a liar and that his memory is wrong or he is saying Buds to old to remember correctly.

Time alters many things, including memories.. If Jim Anderson has a pic of the starboard side of Buds Mustang, then he should produce it for everyone to see and settle this dispute once and for all.. I do believe Bud had the name on both sides, and the Mustangs I have painted reflect that..
Roy had only suggested that they might produce a decal to rectify the problem, but it was never confirmed.. If you want the decal, spend the money and buy one from Vexillarius, it would probably save you in the long run anyway..

[Steve1971]

Originally Posted by hworth18

Time alters many things, including memories.. If Jim Anderson has a pic of the starboard side of Buds Mustang, then he should produce it for everyone to see and settle this dispute once and for all.. I do believe Bud had the name on both sides, and the Mustangs I have painted reflect that..
Roy had only suggested that they might produce a decal to rectify the problem, but it was never confirmed.. If you want the decal, spend the money and buy one from Vexillarius, it would probably save you in the long run anyway..

I plan on it hworth. I had also heard and read that Roy did say they were going to offer the decal but that was awhile ago. No harm no foul I guess. I'll just get them from Bad Cat. But when Bud Anderson says something about what he had on his Mustangs then you can pretty much take it to the bank. The man has one heck of a memory, even after all these years. I wish Jim would show the photos as well because it would only show his dad was right all along. But whats done is done and you cant go back and fix it. Its up to us collectors to do that and I will for sure.

[Alph]

Again I feel the best way to remedi this problem is to Trace the side of our Old Crow models and reverse the template for the side which is not printed. The pad print on the side is crisp enough to make a decent trace if so desired. More than one way to get this done. So Ha Ha Ha!!! Alph