Hobby Master Archive

With the USAAF it was a P-51K and with the RAF it was a Mustang Mk. IVA which was the last version to see service with the RAF. Improvements with this version consisted of a bubble hood that gave the pilot increased visibility and six .50 cal machine guns. The RAF Mk. IVs and Mk. IVAs along with the some Mk. IIIs were used mainly for ground attack roles using bombs. With the use of drop tanks these aircraft were also used for long-range missions. It was the combination of the Mustangs range, speed and fire-power that made it such a deadly aircraft. The Mustang Mk. IVA was in service with the 112 Squadron from February 1945 until December 1946. In early May 1945 this particular aircraft KH774, GA-S was flown by Lt. Blanchford based at Cervia, Italy. They operated along the Adriatic coast of Italy doing fighter-bomber duties but also seemed to like attacking bridge targets. The 112 Squadron remained in Italy after the war had ended to perform occupation duties and were disbanded at Treviso on December 30th, 1946. Aircraft KH774 was Struck Off Charge (SOC) on February 27, 1947. The 112 Squadron was nicknamed the “Shark Squadron” because they were the first unit from any air force to use the shark mouth pattern on P-40s.