SPA Modeler

My entry to this memorial build will be this P-51 Mustang kitI had bought at last year’s Syrcon. The scheme chosen will be as shown on box cover - 3rd Fighter Squadron, 3rd Fighter Group.

Nice choice! But that’s the markings of the 3rd Air Commando Group, not 3rd Fighter Group. I’ve looked into building that aircraft before….

Some progress ...



Seat is not glued in place yet


Main wing halves done and tail glued to fuselage

Nice. Curious to see how the Hasegawa kit goes together.

keavdog wrote: ↑Sun Jan 11, 2026 11:08 pm Nice. Curious to see how the Hasegawa kit goes together.

So far, so good. We’ll see soon enough. I’ve built a good number of Hasegawa kits over the years - mostly modern jets back then. I am curious myself to see how Hasegawa and Tamiya P-51 Mustang kits are compared to one another myself.

Nice subject Tom - it does look rather similar to the Tamiya kit.

What exactly is an 'Air Commando'?

Stuart wrote: ↑Mon Jan 12, 2026 11:41 am Nice subject Tom - it does look rather similar to the Tamiya kit.

What exactly is an 'Air Commando'?

The original WWII Air Commandos were small groups of multiple aircraft types all within the same group. A squadron of fighters, a squadron of medium bombers, and a squadron of transport and liaison type aircraft. The 1st ACG was formed in Burma and tasked with supporting the Chindits and Merrill’s Marauders. They would provide air support, drop supplies, and evacuate wounded troops. The 2nd ACG was formed and fought in China, while the 3rd ACG served in the Philippines and Western Pacific. They were disbanded after WWII, but the name came back during the “advisor” phase of the Vietnam war in the early 60’s with the USAF Air Commandos squadrons, who provided similar roles for both Army advisor and Special Forces elements. These squadrons later evolved into the Special Operations Squadrons and Special Operations Wings during that war, which are still around today. I’m willing to bet that some of them played some role in the Maduro raid into Venezuela a couple of weeks ago.