Corgi AA34409 North American Mustang Mk.IV GA-S 112 Sqn RAF, Italy, May 1945

As well as seeing widespread and exceptional service with the United States Army Air Force, the P51 Mustang also found a home within the RAF. Used extensively over both the channel and Mediterranean fronts, it was over Italy that the use of the Mustang by the RAF was most widespread. One squadron that found the Mustang to be especially to their liking was 112 Squadron. Having fought their way from North Africa, equipped first with P40 Tomahawks and Kittyhawks, the squadron converted to its’ first Mustangs in 1944 and gained the bubble canopied Mk. IV at the start of the following year. The first squadron anywhere to paint shark mouths on their P40s, 112 Squadron continued this tradition with their new mounts making the Mustang look even more aggressive. Their main role by 1945 was that of ground attack, with the German air force becoming virtually none existent over the Balkans and Northern Italy.