Zimbabwe-Rhodesian North American P-51RM-X Kommando Mustang
The situation in Rhodesia became even more desperate as the Bush War wound down.
In late 1978, all available vintage North American P-51s were collected to be modernized by adding new avionics and wing-tip tanks for extended loiter time. Various home-grown weapons suitable for the counter-insurgency role were also fitted.
The fact that what were basically museum pieces were being pressed into service is indicative of the dire straits Rhodesia found herself in.
Refurbishment work continued into 1979 as the nation changed its name to Zimbabwe-Rhodesia. Eventually, nine P-51s were delivered, the first arriving at front-line squadrons in August.
A pale imitation of the more famous Cavalier Mustang, these re-treads were called "Kommando Mustangs" during their brief career.
This moniker certainly rolls off the tongue much better than the official designation NA P-51RM-X.
The Rhodesian air force was now the Zimbabwe-Rhodesian air force and a fortnight before the conflict ended, the roundel was changed to colors matching the new flag. Adoption of this marking was limited to aircraft coming out of the maintenance depot, perhaps only five in all. Why this was done at such a late date remains a mystery and is utterly over-looked by historians.
The sole surviving "Kommando Mustang" was flown to the tiny northern South African border outpost of Van Voortebeeksburg when the pilot defected. The aircraft was eventually sold to a private owner who unfortunately crashed it during an ill-advised airspeed record attempt. Nothing remains of the Zimbabwe-Rhodesian P-51RM-X "Kommando Mustang" today except this short-run model kit of which only one was ever completed. It still didn't end up looking like the nice picture on the box.
The model was brush-painted by hand in acrylics and the markings were cobbled together from spares.
Each roundel is made up of three separate decals and the fin flash consists of four.
Many thanks to Bill for his kindness in sending me the kit and to Mr Duck for bravely moderating this GB and to the rest of you playing along or just stopping by for a look.
These shots show that classic Airfix stand. It delights me to no end when I have the chance to use it.
Brian da Basher
