Modified Mustang? If so, why?

Another photo of the three mustangs, with details, here:

http://www.littlefriends.co.uk/gallery.php?Group=361&Style=item&origStyle=table&Item=50

The nearest aircraft has lines drawn on the wings. Is this for ground attack?
They look similar to the lines found on aerobatic aircraft.

Explained in the post above.

The nearest aircraft has lines drawn on the wings. Is this for ground attack?
They look similar to the lines found on aerobatic aircraft.

When Danny Morris was researching the 8th., for his “Aces & Wingmen” books, he found that the leading-edge markings were for dive-bombing, and were painted by the squadron, after VE-day, in anticipation of being sent to the Pacific.

Just to add further to the discussion. If you are describing the aft-most wing-to-fuselage fairing itself, it is all standard/stock. That fairing appears to have come off another aircraft (note that the bottom of the ‘E’ is cutoff). The darker rectangular panel on the fairing is also standard/stock, and was simply an access panel for the coolant and aftercoolant vents. (Those fairings, like some of the other panels and wing/tail tips, were often either completely or partially acid-etched, so as to be prepared for welding. As such, they can appear quite a bit brighter against the rest of the bare metal). Although it is somewhat hard to make-out in the photo, due to a bit of a lack of tonal difference, the lead-ship has a very unique/interesting design to the standard yellow-nose.

With regards to the war-weary B-model with the Malcolm hood, also note that it is has the field-mod dorsal fin fillet. These were supplied as kits from North American and issued as a Technical Order to be addressed in the field – these dorsal fin fillets differed to those designed for the D/K’s. (The B/C version dorsal fin fillet fitted to the restored P-51B “Impatient Virgin” is an original NAA-manufactured item.)

The aircraft in the centre is a “B”, in fact the final ac in the first batch of “B”s. The next serial was a “D”. As already mentioned, note the Malcolm hood.

Also note the “WW” on the tail…it means “War Weary”….and ex-combat aircraft kept for training or as unit hacks.

He just has some flap down, that “Plate” is what the flap buts up to in full up position. If you look closely you can see the others have flap down as well. Standard practice slowing up a bit for a camera opportunity.

Nearest Mustang’s wing root “plate mod” looks like a skin repair. The unpainted and unweathered colour making it look like a mod.

It’s in an area of high wear and tear from cockpit entry whilst keeping feet clear of the flap.

Anon.

Battle damage repair I would say

The middle a/c canopy is a ‘Malcolm’ Hood

Flaps slightly deflected?

The middle P51 canopy is interesting!

DAI