Background
The British Purchasing Commission approached North American Aviation [NAA] to build Curtiss P-40 under license for the RAF. NAA instead proposed the design for a higher performance fighter. Once the contract was agreed the prototype NA-73X airframe was rolled out 102 days later [09/09/1940] with the first flight on 26th October the same year. The Mustang Mk.1 operated by the RAF was powered by the Allison V-1710 engine, which was also fitted to the P-40. The early P-51’s were affected by the same drop in performance with altitude as the P-40. The P-51B/C (Mustang Mk III) was fitted with the Rolls-Royce Merlin transforming the aircraft's performance at altitudes.
With the introduction of the US in WWII the USAAF's Eighth Air Force operated the Merlin powered P-51Bs and P-51Cs for escort duties. The RAF and the USAAF's Ninth Air Force Mustangs were used in the fighter bomber role. P-51B’s and P-51C’s were fitted with cameras and designated F-6C for the role of tactical reconnaissance.
The Kit
Arma Hobby’s P-51B/C was first released as a new tool in 2021. The kit has gone on to win awards and has been a favourite for many 1:72 scale modellers recently. Although the box is side opening, there is quite a strong card tray for the contents. The two kits are separately bagged, each containing the plastic parts and the individually packed clear parts. In the corner of the tray is a small card package containing the fret of 3D parts. The Kabuki masks and decals are placed inside the instructions. The recessed detail is crisp, consistent, and quite subtle, highly suitable for natural metal finishes. The back of the box suggests there are eight marking options though there is an additional marking options for a P-51B in the instructions. There are markings for a couple of RAF Mustang Mk.III’s included.
Arma Hobby’s 1:72 scale P-51B deluxe edition contains:
- 4 x grey plastic sprues
- 2 x clear plastic sprue
- 1 x sheet of decals
- 2 x sheets of Kabuki paint masks
- 1 x fret of 3D parts
- Instruction manual
There is an excellent amount of detail in the cockpit and the bay behind the pilot. The detail on the plastic making up the area under the canopy is impressive. There is additional detail in the form of decals replicating instruments, switches, and placards. The side walls of the cockpit are detailed with raised rib work. Additional detail for the sidewalls includes throttle, electrical boxes and hosing There are two types of plastic or 3D printed seats: Warren McArthur or Schick Johnson. The latter is not used with the marking options offered with this edition. The plastic seats rely on the use of decals harnesses. The 3D printed seats look far superior and have the harnesses included on them. Detail also extends to the rear of the pilot with separate parts for the radio equipment, battery, and the fuel tank.
Arma Hobby provides both framed and Malcom hood canopies. With the framed canopy there is a choice of open or closed hatch. The moulded open hatch with the framed canopy is an excellent feature that will be appreciated by modellers. There are two Malcom hoods options one for open and the other for closed position. All the canopies and windscreens has good frame definition making the placing of the included paint masks that much easier.
The fuselage is split traditionally in two halves. There are locating tabs included in both halves of the fuselage. The tail unit is separate and you will find filleted and non-filleted vertical tail with the rudder moulded on. The none filleted tail is fitted to seven marking options, whilst the filleted tail is fitted to two options. If fitting the filleted tail unit, a small amount of plastic needs to be removed from the rear fuselage. The instructions provide details where to cut. The tail wheel bay is nicely detailed as well. At the other end of the fuselage, you will find separate vent covers for the carburettor intake. With this deluxe edition you need to use the perforated or blank set from the three types of cover available. The kit comes with the Hamilton standard cuffed propeller and there is a choice of two styles of exhaust. Additionally, there are two different styles of 3D printed exhaust pipes. These look more refined than the plastic versions. This release features the filler cap for the self-sealing fuel tank aft of the pilot's seat that started with P-51B-5-NA or block 5. Two of the marking options [3 & 8] require the filling of the fuel cap as the tank was not fitted. There is a fair bit of detail in the distinctive air duct under the fuselage. The face of the radiator has some fine mesh detail in the plastic and there are additional 3D printed parts for the radiator faces. The lip of the intake as well as the lip of the intake in the nose are separate parts.
The wing is made up from a one piece lower and a one piece upper. The wings have locating pins to aid their joining. The flaps are separate and can be fitted in the dropped position. Ailerons are moulded onto both halves of the wing and are in the neutral position. The detail in the undercarriage [U/C] bay is moulded into the top wing and it looks superb. There is a detailed section of the wing spar to add to the U/C bay too. If you want to attach ordnance under the wing, then holes need to be drilled. There are guide holes to start you off. The horizontal tailplane is one piece with elevators moulded in the neutral position. The canvas covered control surfaces are represented accurately by Arma Hobby with subtle looking rib taping. Trailing edges for the elevators and rudder are very thin.
The main wheels are one piece with beautifully detailed hubs and diamond tread. The tyres are slightly weighted, and bare the manufacturers name on the sidewalls. The detail on the inner doors of the main undercarriage [U/C] is well executed, replicating the pressed aluminium very well. There is a hint of shrinkage on the exterior surface of the doors attached to the U/C legs. The shrinkage can be easily removed by sanding as there is no surface detail. The rear wheel unit is one piece and superbly moulded.
The kit includes the paper 108 gallon and aluminium 75-gallon fuel tanks. The ribbed construction of the paper tanks looks particularly good. Also included are two 250 lb bombs. The separate shackles are used for the fuel tanks and bombs.
The 3D parts are relatively easy to remove from the matrix. A small amount of pressure breaks the tiny trees holding the parts in place. I used a combination of a fine tooth saw and a surgical knife. Just be careful that the parts do not spring away whilst cutting. The cardboard tray makes for a good place to separate the 3d parts.
The Kabuki paint masks are for the glazed parts and wheels. There is no guide to their placement, except for the mask for a tiny panel on the left side of the fuselage behind the exhaust. Having said that it is not difficult to work out where the masks go as they are laid out in order on the backing sheet.
The decals printed by Techmod look superb: glossy, with good colour density and the definition is superb. The chequer board markings on options ‘1’ and ‘9’ are included as are the yellow and black stripes on option ‘4’. There is only one set of teeth so you can’t choose to do both ‘5’ and ‘9’. There are quite a few stencils to apply and there is a guide in the instructions.
Marking options include:
- North American P-51B-7-NA Mustang s/n 43-6913 "Shangri-La", 336th FS, 4th FG, 8th AF USAAF, pilot Captain Don S. Gentile, USAAF Station 356 Debden, Great Britain, March 1944
- North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang s/n 42-106950 "The Iowa Beaut", 354th FS, 355th FG, 8th AF USAAF, pilot 2nd Lieutenant Robert E. Hulderman, USAAF Station 122 Steeple Morden, Great Britain, July 1944
- Mustang Mk III FZ152 (North American P-51B-5-NA s/n 43-6533), No. 133 Fighter Wing, pilot Wing Commander Stanisław Skalski, RAF Coolham, Great Britain, Spring 1944
- North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang s/n 42-106839 "Bald Eagle III", 374th FS, 361st FG, 8th AF USAAF, pilot 1st Lieutenant Robert Turnbull Eckfeldt, USAAF Station 374 Bottisham, Great Britain, July 1944
- North American P-51B-7-NA Mustang s/n 43-6638, 355th FS, 354FG, 9th AF USAAF, pilot 2nd Lieutenant Fred G. Buckner, USAAF Station AFF-410 Lashenden, Great Britain, June 1944
- North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang s/n 42-106924 "Salem Representative", 334th FS, 4th FG, 8th AF USAAF, pilot 2nd Lieutenant Ralph Kidd Hofer, USAAF Station 356 Debden, Great Britain, May 1944
- North American P-51B-1-NA Mustang s/n 43-12375 "Bonnie ´B´ II", 353rd FS, 354th FG, 9th AF USAAF, pilot Major Don „Buzz” Beerbower, USAAF Station AFF-410 Lashenden, Great Britain, June 1944
- Mustang Mk III FX876 (North American P-51B-1-NA s/n 43-12146), No. 309 squadron PAF, RAF Andrews Field, Great Britain, May 1945
Bonus:
- North American P-51B-7-NA Mustang s/n 43-6638 Probably a 354FG hack, Autumn 1944
There is a good mix of camouflage, semi camouflage and natural metal finishes included, reflecting the varied appearance of the P-51B and Mustang Mk.III.
The instructions and painting guide is printed in a A5 20-page manual. The black line drawings of the instructions are explicit with written instructions in English and Polish. There are several modifications and differences with the marking options so pay close attention to each stage of the build. The full colour painting guide features four view images of each of the marking options. There are several paint manufactures referenced in the instructions including: Hataka, AK RC, Lifecolor, Ammo, Humbrol, Vallejo and Tamiya. FS numbers are provided for all the colours except sky blue. On the penultimate page of the instructions there is an illustration of both the side profiles of options ‘4’ and ‘5’ which could be cut out and suitably framed.
Conclusions
Arma Hobby has used a full range of modern techniques to produce this excellent 1:72 scale kit of the P-51B/Mustang Mk.III. It is always refreshing to see great quality new tool kits on the market. This deluxe edition makes good sense if you are looking to build more than one kit. Price for this deluxe edition is €33.64. A fantastic price considering a single kit edition of the P-51B/C [70041] is €26.50
Available from Arma Hobby. Many thanks to Arma Hobby for this review sample.
70069 - P-51B Mustang™ Deluxe Set – 1:72
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