AIrfix 1/48 P-51D Mustang comments and images

[harvs73]

A review of the newly released 1/48 P-51D Mustang from Airfix. In some areas the kit is over engineered in my opinion and providing only one type of prop when so many other options are there is a bit of a let down. It is nicely cast and the two decal options look good (will scan later). The instruction sheet is in the current Airfix style and is easily understood.

[harvs73]

A few more images

[harvs73]

A bit more.

[RAAFBrat]

Looks good & I like how they've done the windscreens. Shame I've done my D.

[enfield38]

G'day David,

I agree the lack of prop options is odd given the various canopies and nose vents that are supplied. I'll bet other boxings are planned down the track with different props and also a filletless fin.

[NormanL]

Hello David

I find your review ''very'' light on information mate, especially with regards to explaining your statement it is 'over engineered' would it be possible for you to post a proper review outlining these area's ?

Cheers

[Calum]

I’ve picked up a copy of the kit last weekend, and have been looking at it though the week. To add to Dave’s comments.

It is complicated for a 1/48 single engine prop, much more complicated than the classic Tamiya kit, that said it does contain more detail. It's not a kit I'd give to a kid or a beginner (unlike the Tamiya kit). At a guess I'd say it has the highest part count of any 1/48 ww2 single engined fighter I've seen.

So over engineered is a fair comment IMO (There are 70 steps in the instructions).

It’s obviously been done in a modular issue to accommodate future variants. As long as everything fits however this shouldn’t be an issue… but until I build it I’ll reserve my final judgement

The modular areas that will need to be watched are
• The underside rear air exhaust
• The upper fin piece
• The lower tail wheel fuselage sides

On the plus side, for these parts you will be able to glue them from the inside which should reduce glue marks (Unless you’re like Bruce and struggle with the basics). The instructions are good as well.

Some other comments are

• I agree with Dave about the one style of prop. But I assume we’ll see another boxing next year with an extra sprue with the other prop.
• I wish Airfix would stop stuffing all the sprues, except the clear parts, in one bag.
• Decals look fantastic on the sheet. But this is a feature of the current generation of Airfix kits; thankfully they outsource these to Cartograph. I quite like the option on the box art.
• The cockpit looks great out of the box, I don’t even see the need for a seat as the kit one has belts moulded on and looks great.
• Nice pilot figure but I’d prefer a standing one, rather than a sitting one.
• I agree with Dave re the clear parts, especially the front windscreen. They have the same design as the Tamiya Tomcat. This is easily the best way to mould this particular parts, I wish every kit (that could) had this part done this way.
• Instructions mention assistance from Roy Sutherland and Christian Alamy who are well known Mustang experts.
• I’ve seen these on Facebook for sale in the mid $30. IMHO that’s excellent value for many.

To close, this is the kit for the 2018 NSW model show’s Airfix Cup category so I’d recommend those coming pick one up and enter.

[harvs73]

Thanks Calum, the two main points for me were the tail wheel bay and the exhaust underneath the aircraft as you pointed out, the tail is acceptable to me as it is a hint that they are doing other variants at some stage.

[Damian C]

Others have mentioned, and we know this is how Airfix operates, there will be another boxing: evidence for a likely Mustang IV is the louvred intakes which are not relevant to either of the versions in the kit. I note also the two exhaust variants as well.

That said, and at the risk of trying to analytical like Jim de Cesare and his Tamiya 1/32 kit predictions, I'm mildly nonplussed at the arrangement for the fin. It only makes sense if an early, without-fillet, version is coming. That doesn't make sense with the louvred intakes, noting that Airfix seems only to aim to get a couple of boxings from one basic set of molds. Perhaps they are going to do something like the 1/72 Spitfire Mk1/II which (IIRC) included an additional sprue with parts for both an early Mk I and a Mk II (and all the parts for a later Mk I from the original boxing) (*)

* and signally not done with their He-IIIs which, between the two kits, include the parts for any version from P-2 to H-6, but not in either box. Humph.

[RAAFBrat]

Similar to their Seafire FR46/47. When I went through the sprues I thought to myself that with all the extra unused parts I could make a Spitfire 22/24 out of it. Guess what they recently released?