[CRIPES_A_MIGHTY]

Just for you STARMAN352nd,

You likey?..




YUM YUM!!

[Hornchurch]

Originally Posted by CRIPES_A_MIGHTY

Hi Hornchurch,

Yes, I too have the very same model..unmade..Infact..I think I may have 2-3 of the same one knocking around.
I do have a collection of Blue Nosed models..all unmade except one..It's a model of Bob Powells P-51B
which was lost when Bob crashed on take-off. Luckly, Bob survived.



I did not build this model.


I also have an AIRFIX box cover of the Preddy model, which I assume AIRFIX brought out at a later date?
But still with the wrong markings.


But this is the kit a want REAL BAD!!



I have seen a very small number of these...but have not purchased it as I want one thats as close to perfect as possible.
(box wise).

Hi C.A.M,

Yes, you're right - the 'Later' box artwork is the one which features the 'technical-drawing' paper underneath.....

These were bought out in 1986, when the once-proud, (but by now) ailing company had been bought-out by Humbrol, the kit-paint manufacturers, after the previous owners, 'Palitoy' had well and truly created S.N.A.F.U with Airfix.

I remember at the time, I feared that those kits would go the way of 'Frog' & become rare & sought after !!!!!!!!

In 1984/5 I trawled ALL OVER ENGLAND trying to find/locate the Airfix Short-Stirling........

After a year & 1/2 searching, I FINALLY found one, residing in the stock-room of a newsagent !

Typical, we were on holiday, in Hot-summer weather on my Kawasaki Z.1000, 300 miles from home, with nowhere to put the large kit !!!!!!!!!
It came home in an overloaded rucksack !!!!!!!!

Luckily, the company survived & though Humbrol 'folded' the other year, they've been taken-over by 'Hornby' the model-Train manufacturer, even bringing out a NEW forthcoming 1/24th Mosquito (Goodness knows where folks will put it !)

Brings me neatly onto 1/24th scale......

That 352nd "This-Is-It" P.51 in 1/24th has been available for some time & when one comes up (secondhand) they usually fetch around the £20/$40 mark (from SENSIBLE people !!!!!!!!!)

Best bet is to attend an IPMS show near you, & go 'Hawking' under the model-club stands & tables, where club-members get rid of their old 'Loft-Insulation' !!!!!!!!!!!!

then you MAY find your plastic-Holy-Grail ?

Such a pity, as I've lost touch with a guy in London who had AT LEAST 3 or 4 of these above his upstairs cupboard !
At least 2 or 3 of them were MINT......but the last time I spoke, he'd gotten-rid of ALL his BIG kits (I was choked, as I'd have taken his 1/48th Catalinas off his hands for him !!!!!!!!!!)

But he is also good-mates with the prime-retailer of a/c kits in the UK, which is where I built up my huge collection of unbuilt-plastic !

It was nice to be getting 1st choice of the 'trade-ins', not to mention if one of the lads had a clearout !

I remember picking up 5 x Tamiya Fw.190 D.9's for a 'fiver' each !!!!!!!!!!!!

If I see him again, he can usually pull the proverbial rabbit out of the hat !

Last time he came up to see me, I swapped a pair of motorcycle watrproof overtrousers, for a Razorback Tamiya 1/48th P.47-D.
He chucked in a 'Dragon' Tiger.1 Ausf.E (Lenningrad) with etched-brass/metal barrel 88/shell-casings, the works as a 'thank-you'

If I could contact him, I KNOW he'd have one of those 1/24th P.51's (mint) within 4 - 8 weeks - but you're in the States, so the DHL/UPS guys would 'crucify' the box anyways


BTW, may interest you to know that Bodney-camp had an 'open-day' this ('07) summer ? (though I didn't go personally).

I'm presuming/hoping they do this year, cause if they do, Im there !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[no4mkit]

Originally Posted by CRIPES_A_MIGHTY

Just for you STARMAN352nd,

You likey?..




YUM YUM!!

ABSOLUTELY!!! How about it, Gemini??!!

[STARMAN 352ND]

Originally Posted by CRIPES_A_MIGHTY

Just for you STARMAN352nd,

You likey?..




YUM YUM!!

Very nice Thank You C_A_M ...I would not mind seeing that OD P-51B being made by Gemini or EI
Katydid is a great P-51D too..
JP

[duxford]

I have been out of the loop for a while. Good to be back--and have to look at 4325 Unread Posts! And that was for only two weeks+!!!!

I am so happy to read new items from the BNBB--and Greeting to the new member who brings so much and a Website. I think we have enough of us to create a small unit. More than a flight, less that a squadron?

I received such a nice email from Mr. Powell for Christmas. It makes me so humble. I have the address from Sam Sox for the Eagle Decals, but you should be able to find them. My next plane has to be the EI P-51B Bluenoser, PATTY ANN. I am getting ready for it.

And do not forget to order the Osprey 352nd Aviation Elite #8 for your library.

I was not able to attend the Gathering in Columbus, but I just received the program book. Maybe we can get Captain Eddie to join us?

Dux

[Captain Eddie]

Duxford, I'll bet you can....but I must have missed something......join what?

[CRIPES_A_MIGHTY]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all the comments. Great to chat with others who share the same..or similar interests.
When I first started my website..nearly 9 years ago...I used to think I was the only 1 interested in the Major. Preddy
his brother 1st/Lt. William Preddy..and the 352nd. The lack of information on such is 1 of the main reasons I started the site.
To make sure those who didn't know of this, what seemed, neglected and forgot hero, did. It was my way to show my appreciation for those
who fought and died for us to be here today doing the things we do.
I had since a kid been interested in aircraft...especially WW2, but not really the pilots who flew them. As a kid, you are somewhat ignorant of
such things. But the purchase of Major. Preddy's AIRFIX kit changed all that. Now with the web..I can share that passion.

Great info Hornchurch..you are a fountain of information.!.. As for the kit....I am....may seem a little unbelievable..in the UK..Fife in Scotland to be percise.
I moved here to Scotland in 06 from the south coast of UK.
Glad everyone loves the profiles..they are real nice to be sure..think they are by artist Jim Lauier?

I to have had corrispondence with Bob Powell. For those who may not know, Bob is the President of the 352nd FG Association, and once serving pilot
of the 352nd FG. Also Joe Noah, the Preddy brothers cousin, founder of the Preddy Memorial Foundation, and former C-119 pilot in Korea. And Sam Sox, close family friend of the Preddy's and Expert historian on the Preddy brothers & 352nd FG aircraft. ALL..I am VERY proud to say, I can call friends.
I am also a contributing member of the PMF. (Preddy Memorial Foundation).

I mad for anything Preddy & 352nd FG related.

I do have some more profiles knocking about on my..most not a nice as those already shown..but if its Blue Nosed..I'm interested.

It does look like we could set up our own 352nd section..if there was enough interest.
Sorry if I'm rabbiting on...my partner Linda listens but i don't think she really is as interested as she makes out..LOL!

I also hope you like my site..I know it's not professional, but I'm still learning..self taught.
If any one has anything they might like to see on the site or have idea..etc..Please let me know, I'm all ears.

Yes duxford, I do already have the Osprey 352nd book. And the Eagle decals.Plus a few others..lol.
Including an original copy of the Preddy book.


I would so love a really good example of the 1/24 AIRFIX Blue Noser, "This Is It"
It appeared in an episode of the British sitcom "Are You Being Served?"
Ser:5 Ep 2.."Change Is As Good As A Rest".. I think. In the background.
.

Anyway..I shouldn't hog the thread...got to let you guys get a word in...LOL.

Oh!..by the way Major.Preddy flew "Frances B. TOO" over the beachs of Normandy on the 8th June 44
CAM(P-51B) was being serviced.

[STARMAN 352ND]

Here are 2 of my 1:48 Blue Nosers Eagles Inter P-51 Mustangs i have in my collection...
Patty Ann and Cripes A Mighty..The Preddy bird was custom made for me by Harry.
JP

[CRIPES_A_MIGHTY]

Nice!..STARMAN352nd.

I'm sure more models of CAM P-51B wil start to appear once the manufactuers
get up to date with the discovery of pictures of Preddy's second CAM.
It was once thought that no pictures of Preddy's B exsited. But by a chance
meeting, Sam Sox was able procure once never before seen pictures of her.
They were not the best of clarity, but....they were a fantastic find.
I'd have to say..I'm not sure about some of the colours of the markings on your model.
But never the less very nice!
Plus the P-51B of John Thornell. " PATTY ANN II". Another great 352nd FG pilot..
Infact, the 3rd highest scoring ace of the 352nd. Behind Preddy & John Meyer.
There are many great facts about 352nd FG. Which I'm sure some will know of.
Although the 352FG was not the highest score group of the 8th AF, they did have the highest scoring
FS ( Fighter Squadron) in the 8th AF. The 487FS. Of which both Major Preddy & Col. John Meyer were
members. Highest scoring P-51 aces of WW2. And the only individual FS to receive a citation for its
1st Jan 45 action, "The Legend of Y-29".

I am unfortuantely, suffering from inflammatoryarthristis, and I'm only 39. So at the moment unable to work.
Lack of money means no more buying..models..etc (unless Hornchurch come up with an exceptional example of the 1/24.I'll then have to beg partner for the money...LOL) But maybe one day..I hope...once the arthritis is under control. I don't think many people realize how incrediblely painful arthritis can be.

[Captain Eddie]

Originally Posted by CRIPES_A_MIGHTY

Nice!..STARMAN352nd.

I am unfortuantely, suffering from inflammatoryarthristis, and I'm only 39. So at the moment unable to work.
Lack of money means no more buying..models..etc (unless Hornchurch come up with an exceptional example of the 1/24.I'll then have to beg partner for the money...LOL) But maybe one day..I hope...once the arthritis is under control. I don't think many people realize how incrediblely painful arthritis can be.

Unfortunately. I do. I have psoriatic arthritis. I've had both knees, my left ankle, left shoulder, and one knuckle replaced. I've had my left sub-taler (sp?) joint, left thumb joint, and right wrist fused. My arthritis started in my early thirties, I'm now in my early fifties. Good luck to you and your doctor in finding the correct meds to help your condition.