[TAMIYA 1/48] J26 26031 (Ex-44-72220) 2.Division, Flottilj F16, Uppsala

The first Swedish Mustang is a P-51B-7 du 354th FG interned on 13 may 1944.
He is followed by another one in august, then by two D-5 this same month.

These aircraft arrives at a time where Swedish AF is struggling to get some high performances fighters, and the government is in the process to make a deal US and/or UK authorities on the tune of fighters for internees, as there are more than 1000 Allied Airmen stranded in Sweden

An agreement is finaly reached for a number of P-47, that would be designated J26, but in march 1945, last minute change for Mustangs for 50 ex-USAAF machines (4 already « delivered »!), bound to equip Flottilj 16 (F16) at Uppsala, deliveries starting from 10 april. They will still be J26.

In 1946, 90 more are bought from USAAF, plus a further 30 for spare parts the next year.
The last Sweedish Mustang will leave active service with the air force in 1954.
93 will be sold to Israel, Republican Dominique and Nicaragua.

So here's my interpretation of Swedish J26 serial 26031 (ex-USAAF 44-72220), from Flottilj (escadre) F16, 2. Division (Escadron, casserole bleue) at Uppsala,
The aircraft must have suffered an accident in june 47, as it was then used as a ground instruction airframe. It was one of only three J26 painted in camo.

Tamiya kit looks good to me, very simple and easy to build. No difficulties, I had some, but they're of my own make .

A quick note about the decals : The instruction sheet show clearly roundels in six positions, standard with J26 and other Swedish fighhters at the time.
BUT... Xtradecal gives you only four !

By chance, a friend of mine stepped in, and gave me the last two I needed.
Thanks Stéphane !

Hope you'll like it.
And if by the way you've gott a better understanding of Swedish AF than me (not difficult at all!), feel free to add or correct.