This HiRes P51D skinning project is a representation of 
P-51D-5-NA 44-13383, 353rd.FS/354th.FG Mustang "FT-T" stationed at Criqueville,(A-2),
France, circa: August1944.

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A Brief History of the 9th USAAF.....

Once the Mustang began to take over the long-range escort role, the Thunderbolt was largely diverted 
into the ground attack role, where the P-47 was to gain its reputation. After seeing action in North Africa, 
the Ninth Air Force was transferred to England as part of the build-up for D-Day. 
The 362nd and 365th Fighter Groups of the Ninth Air Force were the first to receive P-47Ds. 
They were joined by the 358th Group from the Eighth Air Force. In May 1944, these three groups 
were joined by many other units flying P-47Ds in providing air cover for the impending landings in France-- 
the 36th, 50th, 366th, 367th,, 368th, 371st, 373rd, 405th, 406th, 48th, 354th, and 404th Fighter Groups. 
These units provided much effective ground support for the advancing Allied forces as they penetrated further 
and further into France. The Thunderbolt, with its heavy machine gun armament and its heavy load of bombs 
and rockets, was extremely effective in eliminating enemy forces in the face of the Allied advance. 
Even though the P-51 Mustang had largely replaced the Thunderbolt in the long-range, 
high-altitude bomber escort role in the ETO by the end of 1944, the P-47D continued to rack up 
an impressive number of air-to-air kills against the Luftwaffe, 
while it beat up the Wehrmacht on the ground in its destructive bombing and strafing career.

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"Swede's Steed III" and her Pilot.....

This Weathered P51D-5-NA "Early Production" (circa: August 1944) skin ("FT-T") is based on an aircraft of 
the 353rd.Fighter Squadron, 354th.Fighter Group of the 8th.USAAF stationed at Criqueville,(A-2), 
decamped in France in the wake of the D-Day Invasion.

This P51D-5-NA aircraft "FT-O" was the mount of 1st.Lt.William Y.Anderson
at the time of his combat tour in the ETO.
1st.Lt.Anderson named each of his Mustangs "Swede's Steed" in honour of his country of birth
and 44-13383 was his final mount in the ETO in which he scored three of his seven victories.
The 'eighth' cross within the fighter's scorebroad represented the V1 Anderson shot down
on 17th June 1944 which was the first flying bomb destroyed by the 354th.FG.
Soon after this victory had been applied "Swede's Steed III" was modified
with the in-field installation of adoresal fin fillet.
The yellow spinner and nose band, with dark blue triangles superimpossed was the unoffical units
recognition device adopted by the unit as the 354th. decamped to France after the Invasion.
The prancing horse insignia was another unoffical symbol for the 353rd.FS....     

  
The aircraft's colour scheme and Squadron markings where derived from a coloured aircraft 
profile plate found in the Osprey Aviation Elite #7 "354th.Fighter Group" by William H.Hess. 
The colours are as accurate as possible with the use of standard EAW Palette. 
Further detail reference material came from AJ-Press publication 
"North American P51D Mustang" Vol.3 by Dariusz Karnas.
Special thanks to Alessandro Borges for his excellent EAW Batch File Converter V1.5 Utility...

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Those who contributed to this skins development:

1) Kudos go to John "Chompy" Masters for creating the orginal 3D modding and Dean"DeanH"Hill 
   for basic all-metal skin surfaces.
Many thanks guys for raising the bar and adding greatly to the look and enjoyment of this 3D modded skin.....
2) Thanks to Carl "Peregrine" Ringvold for providing the 'Adjusted GunSight' and the 'New 50 Cal.' sound file...
3) Thanks to Ray "Rotton50" Otton for creating the 'Hamilton Standard Propeller'....
4) Thanks to the collaborative team of Ray "Rotton50" Otton and Brian "Crashin Jack" Baker
   for the creation of the 'Readable Cockpit Instruments' package....
5) Thanks again to John "Chompy" Masters to providing the 'HiRes P47D Batch Files Utility'.... 

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Skinner's Notes: 

The skin's markings, as far as the Fighter Group and Squadron colours 
are based on reference material found in 
Osprey Aviation Elite #7 "354th.Fighter Group" by William H.Hess.....

As with most of my other skin releases, I have taken the time to apply, as detailed as I can, skin panels
and weathering effects.....

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Enjoy this skin and watch your six.......

David "Skylark" Phillips