Tag: P-51

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The Lightweight Mustangs: The Best Fighters of WW2

Coming soon from Pen & Sword and author James William Marshall is The Lightweight Mustangs: The Best Fighters of WW2.

Following America’s entry into the Second World War, the USAAF immediately began preparing itself for the battles ahead. One of its new requirements was for a fighter that could fly deep into Europe or over the vast distances of the Pacific. While this included extending the range of all of the USAAF’s tactical aircraft, particularly fighters, in what was called the Fighter Aircraft Range Extension Program, particular attention was given to the North American P-51 Mustang. The ground-breaking American program resulted in the design of the Lockheed P-38J and the North American P-51B, which were both intended to escort USAAF long-range bombers to any target they were tasked to attack. The pair was still in development when the USAAF undertook the infamous raids on the Bavarian city of Schweinfurt in August and October 1943. The only escort fighters available at that time were the shorter-range Republic P-47s Thunderbolts. Continue reading The Lightweight Mustangs: The Best Fighters of WW2

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Eduard Launches Pre-Orders For 1/32 Royal Hybrid P-51B Bursting With Features

Eduard has released new details on their upcoming new tool “Royal Hybrid” P-51B Mustang kit in 1/32 scale.

The premium offering (932011) combines injection-molded, new tool Eduard plastic parts as well as an extensive range of 3D-printed accessories (cockpit, landing gear bays, wheels and landing gear legs, machine gun barrels, exhausts). Also included are pre-painted photo-etched parts, painting masks and Eduard decals with eight marking options for aircraft that served with the USAAF’s 8th and 9th Air Forces during World War II. In addition, the kit boasts a 100-page publication dedicated to the operational service of the P-51B/C Mustang. It features stories of aircraft and their pilots, color schemes of more than 100 P-51B and C aircraft, a description of the development of the P-51B, and photographic documentation of pilot equipment.

The kit, which marks the first release in the new Royal Hybrid series, is currently available for pre-order with shipping beginning in the second half of July. Click below to check out additional images.

Continue reading Eduard Launches Pre-Orders For 1/32 Royal Hybrid P-51B Bursting With Features

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Eduard Announces Upcoming “Royal Class” Brassin Hybrid P-51B Model Kit

Set for release this summer is Eduard’s newly announced P-51B Mustang Royal Class Hybrid edition model kit in 1/32 scale.

The P-51B variant was a major upgrade of the North American Mustang, replacing the early Allison engine with the more powerful Packard-built Merlin and dramatically improving high-altitude speed, climb, and range. That made it one of the first truly effective long-range escort fighters for U.S. bombers over Europe, entering combat in late 1943 and helping shift air superiority in the Allies’ favor.

As of this writing, additional details on the kit have not been released, although the announcement was accompanied by a preview of the upcoming liveries, seen above.

(via Eduard)

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DBMK Developing Allison Mustang Kits in 1/32 Scale

DBMK is developing a series of Allison-powered Mustang models in 1/32 scale.

The early Mustang variants were built around the Allison V-1710 engine, which gave them excellent low- and medium-altitude speed, range, and reliability but much weaker high-altitude performance because the engine lost power above about 15,000 feet; they were used effectively for reconnaissance, ground attack, and low-level fighter work, and they helped establish the Mustang’s basic airframe success before the Merlin-powered versions turned it into the famous long-range escort fighter.

As of this writing additional details are non-existent, although the series will apparently include the Mustang I, P-51, A-36, P-51A and F-6.

(DBMK via AeroScale)

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Check Out Border Model’s New Tool P-51D Kit That Comes Entirely Pre-Painted

Border Model has announced the upcoming release of a new tool P-51D Mustang kit in 1/35 scale.

What makes this model (BF-015) especially unique is that it’s pre-painted with a metallic aluminum base color and with complex internal sections all finished in advance. That means no tedious painting required. Beyond this the kit offers rivet lines, subtle stressed skin texture and a complete interior. Additional features include PE parts, two types of drop tanks and decals with four marking options.

As of this writing, it appears that no release date has been announced. Click below to check out box contents and additional images.

Continue reading Check Out Border Model’s New Tool P-51D Kit That Comes Entirely Pre-Painted

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Arma Hobby Announces “Next Generation, Highly Accurate” P-51D VLR Kit

Arma Hobby has announced the upcoming release of a new P-51D Mustang “Very Long Range” model kit in 1/72 scale.

The VLR – Very Long Range standard included additional fuel tanks as well as revised radio and navigation equipment, making long over-water missions possible. The typical escort configuration used 110-gallon underwing tanks, giving sufficient range for flights from Iwo Jima to Tokyo and back. These tanks were characteristic of Pacific operations and differed from the more common European configurations.

Described as a “modern next-generation Arma Hobby kit” and a “highly accurate” representation, the offering (70073) includes an additional VLR sprue with Pacific-specific equipment: 110-gallon underwing drop tanks, 150-gallon streamlined drop tanks from the P-38 Lightning, and rockets for strike missions. Additional features include a detailed cockpit, canopy masks and high-quality Cartograf decals with marking options for two aircraft: “Snortin’ Phyllie” (1st Lt. Herb Straughn, 531st Fighter Squadron, 21st Fighter Group) and “Little One” (1st Lt. Francis J. Pilecki, 458th Fighter Squadron, 506th Fighter Group). The kit also features a free 3D file with seat with harness, exhaust pipes, and gun barrels.

Release is currently set for some time in May. Click below to check out livery profiles and box contents.

Continue reading Arma Hobby Announces “Next Generation, Highly Accurate” P-51D VLR Kit

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Titan T-51 Project For Sale: “Isolated Damage, Cheap”

A 2015 Titan T-51 project has been spotted for sale.

According to the listing, this two‑seat, experimental 3/4 scale P-51D replica is all‑metal construction with a steel‑tube fuselage frame and aluminum skins. It uses blind (“pop”) rivets to simplify construction and repair and is powered by an 185‑hp Suzuki H27A 2.7L V‑6, giving brisk acceleration, strong climb, and increased cruise speed compared with the original Rotax‑powered configuration. The airplane has about 161 total flight hours and suffered isolated damage after striking a deer on takeoff which wrinkled and deformed the left wing leading edge and flap, dented and torn some right‑side fuselage and center‑section skin, and broke two fiberglass prop blades, while leaving the main gear, tailwheel, spars, cowling, interior, dual seats, and dash wiring largely intact, making it a repairable project rather than a total loss.

The aircraft is located in Bristow, Oklahoma and is currently available for US $19,950, although bids are also being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.

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Eduard Releases New Dorsal Fin P-51D Kit

Among Eduard’s new releases for February is a 1/72 Weekend Edition P-51D Mustang focused on machines with the dorsal fin assembly from the USAAF’s 8th, 15th and 20th Fighter Groups.

The kit (7477) includes Eduard plastic parts and decals with marking options for four aircraft: Chattanooga Choo Choo, Old Crow, Meatball Rap II and The Enchantress.

Buy on eBay (eBay)

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Three Volume Set Examines P-51 Variants in Detail and Scale

Newly released from author Bert Kinzey is P-51 Mustang in Detail & Scale, Part 3: P-51D and Subsequent Variants, the final book in a trilogy of titles covering the P-51 Mustang in the Detail & Scale Series of books. Part 1 provided a look at the early Allison-engined Mustang variants, and Part 2 covered the first of the Merlin-powered versions up through the P-51C. This final part takes a look at the late single-seat Mustang variants from the P-51D and its near twin, the P-51K, through the P-51H.

The book begins with a brief historical summary of the development and operational use of these later versions of the P-51. This is followed by a chapter that is divided into eight sections, each of which takes a closer look at one of the later variants. This includes the fighter variants and the photographic-reconnaissance versions derived from them. But the primary emphasis and focus of each title in the Detail & Scale Series is an extensive look at the details of the aircraft. The Late Mustang Details chapter is divided into two sections: one on the P-51D and P-51K, and a second on the P-51H, which illustrates the differences and similarities of this, the final single-seat Mustang variant to enter production, compared to the more numerous and better-known P-51D and P-51K. In all, the huge details chapter contains more than 150 photographs. These are a combination of scores that were taken specifically for this publication and many vintage photographs from North American’s archives and other sources. As with all books in the Detail & Scale Series, the last section is devoted to scale modelers. It provides a good look at the many kits of these late Mustang variants now available in all the standard modeling scales, as well as some classic older kits.

P-51 Mustang in Detail & Scale, Part 3, has 305 high resolution photographs, 266 of which are in full color, with 16 drawings and seven color profiles.

The 102 page publication is currently available in paperback format and will likely be an indispensable resource for modelers and P-51 enthusiasts.

Product Page

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F.E.W. 2/3 Scale TF-51D Mustang Project For Sale: “Only 85 Hrs Since New”

Please Note: This is an archived post. The information presented here may not be current and the associated listing may no longer be active.

A Fighter Escort Wings (FEW) 2/3 scale TF-51D Mustang project has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

For sale here is a year 2000 completed F.E.W. TF-51d, 2/3rds scale with the Chevrolet ZZ3, 350 cu.in. Engine and mt composite blade 4 blade prop!… This aircraft has only 85 hours since brand new! There is now a fist sized hole in the aluminum valve cover and a smaller hole in the left aluminum head… The cause of the hole in the head is in question: the reports say a valve stuck, causing the hot spot that burned through the aluminum head and then the valve cover, but other sources blame an exhaust leak, directed at this area from the outside as the cause. Regardless, the result was smoke in the cockpit and possibly flame, so the pilot wisely decided to end the flight immediately, off airport! Sold with technical logs for engine, prop and airframe since new, plus the journey log. And 2 boxes of supporting paperwork, including the assembly manual! And the Canadian bill of sale!… The fuselage is mounted to a cradle to support the engine and this is included. The 1 piece wing is 26’ long and manageable.

The aircraft is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and is currently available for US $59,950, although offers are also being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes many additional photos and details.

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