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In-Box Review
172
P-51 update sets
P-51 update sets
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by: Andy Brazier [ BETHEYN ]

History
Along with the Supermarine Spitfire the P-51 Mustang was the iconic fighter of World War II, seeing action on every front.
Although first designed for the British as a medium-altitude fighter, the Mustang excelled in hedge-hopping strafing runs and long-range escort duty. It made a name for itself by blasting trains, ships and enemy installations in Western Europe and by devastating Axis defenses before the Allied invasion of Italy.
The Mustang was the first single-engine plane based in Britain to penetrate Germany, first to reach Berlin, first to go with the heavy bombers over the Ploiesti oil fields in Romania, and first to make a major-scale, all-fighter sweep specifically to hunt down the dwindling Luftwaffe.
One of the highest honors accorded to the Mustang was its rating in 1944 by the Truman Senate War Investigating Committee as “the most aerodynamically perfect pursuit plane in existence.”

In the bags
Both sets are packed in a re-sealable bag with a stapled cardboard header. No instructions or paint guide are included.
The tailplane set is for the KP kit whilst the pilot seats are for the Airfix, Academy, Heller, and Hasegawa 1/72nd Mustang kit.

P-51 Mustang B/MK.III Tailplane, elevators and rudder.
Item no - U 72-153, Price £5.80 (Hannants)
The five resin parts are cast in a light tan colour and are attached to a pour plug in a couple of places. The parts are discrepancie free with no air bubbles or mould defects present.
Starting with the rudder, this replaces the kit part which is a separate part of the tail, so no surgery is required to install it. The part is very similar to the kits offering but the detail for the rib effect is less pronouced and the resin part does have an actuator moulded onto the part. You wont notice a lot of difference between the two parts but the Pavla replacement is more refined.
The tail planes will require no surgery to install as the tailplanes are in two parts with the elevators as separate parts.

P-51 Mustang A/B/C Pilot seat, 2 versions.
Item No S 72091, Price £3.25 (Hannants)
Both seats are packed in a re-sealable bag with a stapled cardboard header. And like most Pavla sets no instructions or paint guide are included.
The two seats are different in shape with one being the Early Production type (square back) with the second seat being the Mid Production Plywood type, this seat is slightly thinner width wise. Both seats are well cast and have harnesses moulded onto to them.A small pour plug is attached to the base of both seats.
Two seatback/headrests are supplied, one has a headrest cushion. You will have to check references for the seat you will need for the P-51 you are building.
Both seats are pretty much generic in what manufacturers P-51 model seat they will replace, so pretty much any kit can use this seats.

Please remember, when contacting retailers or manufacturers, to mention that you saw their products highlighted here - on AEROSCALE.
SUMMARY
Highs: Nice casting. Good detail
Lows: None really
Verdict: Both sets are well cast and look pretty good. The tailplane set slightly improves the look of the KP kit, and the elevators and the rudder can be offset. The seats a good replacement for most kits as they do have a little more detail as well as harnesses
Percentage Rating
90%
  Scale: 1:72
  Mfg. ID: see text
  Suggested Retail: see text
  PUBLISHED: Jul 15, 2015
  NATIONALITY: United States
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 84.81%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 88.99%

Our Thanks to Pavla Models!
This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

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About Andy Brazier (betheyn)
FROM: ENGLAND - SOUTH EAST, UNITED KINGDOM

I started modelling in the 70's with my Dad building Airfix aircraft kits. The memory of my Dad and I building and painting a Avro Lancaster on the kitchen table will always be with me. I then found a friend who enjoyed building models, and between us I think we built the entire range of 1/72 Airfi...

Copyright ©2021 text by Andy Brazier [ BETHEYN ]. Images also by copyright holder unless otherwise noted. Opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AeroScale. All rights reserved.



   
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