Additional: Since then, (which is now sometime ago as I have just had my 40th birthday) with the arrival of the home pc and the internet. I have discovered that the models markings, which are meant to represent the markings of Major. Preddy's last aircraft, are incorrect. At least the nose art.( This I did not know at the time of purchase and construction, as this was the first time I had ever heard of Major. Preddy ). Through my now friend Sam Sox, I have discovered why the markings are not what they should have been.

Here follows an extract from a e-mail sent me by Sam.  (quote)

"  That first model that you built. Sorry to say I was responsible for those markings that Airfix used on that kit. What happened was I went with what I had hoping that someone who had the correct info would come forward and finally produce the pictures that had eluded me for about 10 years at that point in time.  My first job at age 15 was in a Hobby/Model store in Greensboro, Preddy's home town.  My first boss was Preddy's replacement at the hobby store, Preddy having work there right before he went into service.  In 1966 or '67, after seeing Preddy's combat film for the first time that was given to the museum in Greensboro, I began putting schemes together which I had published in a couple aviation periodicals.  I had CAM 3rd, Cripes the P-47 and Tarheel at time.  My boss told me that he had a color picture of Preddy's 328th Cripes that Preddy had sent to him after he returned to the 352nd. He told me he would try to locate it. One Sunday night he called to say he had something in his hand that I would find very interesting. It was the picture.  He described that name a being in a semi circle/rocking back and forth and that the Mustang had a Barber pole on it. He spoke of seeing a red rudder.  I did not get by to see him fro the next 10 days and when I did , he told me he had misplaced the picture.  I prodded him for about a couple months and finally asked him to sketch for me what he remembered.  Being a fine sign painter and model builder, I felt I could trust his artistry and recollection.  He drew for me on a piece of brown wrapping paper the nose of the Mustang as it appears on that boxart you sent of the Airfix kit.  I retrospect, he got the name correct with it "rocking back and forth" but missed the fine details that future discovered photographs would uncover.  I had heard that Monogram was coming out with a new D model as was Airfix so I sent them what I had. Their kit was not new after all but a rehash of their earlier very poor kit.  It was not until the early 80s before I was finally informed the significance of the barber pole and who he was.  Upon learning that the CC/barber were one and the same, I contacted Art Snyder and the first pictures of the last Cripes were uncovered. "

What a great piece of info, not just for modellers but aviation fans alike.