P 51 Mustang kits

[cobraman]

I hope an airplane question is ok here. After visiting an air and space museum last week I have the urge to build a plane. I have not done a plane in a long time so I would like a suggestion please. Decided if I was going to do a plane I may as well do my favorite , that being a P 51. So.... any help deciding which kit is a good kit to buy ?  Looking for at least 1/48 scale. Your favorite and why if you will ?  Thanks

[Bainford]

Aside from my interest in all things mechanical, I'm not a plane guy at all. However, anything in 1/25 or 1/24 scale interests me, so many years ago I picked up an Airfix 1/24 scale P-51 Mustang. I've not built it, but it appears to be an exceptional kit, tons of detail, including a very detailed engine. I even picked up a second kit years later just to rob the Rolls Royce Merlin engine from (which will eventually end up in a custom Rolls project). It's a large and lovely kit. From a guy who is not up to speed on plane kits, I highly recommend the Airfix 1/24 Mustang.

[Ace-Garageguy]

I'd second the Airfix 1/24 kits. There's tons of info on the web, like  https://imodeler.com/2019/06/airfix-1-24-north-american-p-51d/

Trumpeter also has a 1/24 Mustang...(and at least two in 1/32)

The Trumpeter kit is not without issues though...

http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/Fea1/601-700/Fea666a-P-51-Spitaels/00.shtm

Edited January 3, 2023 by Ace-Garageguy

[mustang1989]

Tamiya. ALL the way Tamiya. 

1. Ease of construction.

2. Minimal seam / join lines

3. Ease of construction

4. Detail

5. Ease of construction.

6. Turns out a GREAT model!! 

7. Refer to reasons #1, 3, and #5.

Edited January 3, 2023 by mustang1989

[SpikeSchumacher]

Hi Ray,

For what it's worth, my two cents... ? In 1/48 scale the older Tamiya/Hasegawa kits are quite easy to build. If you want to go for a newer tool, and quite a bit more in the detail area, the Eduard brand kits are outstanding!

Cheers

 

[cobraman]

Thank very much fellows . I didn’t know about the Airfix one . 

[cobraman]

Found a Bandai and MPC in that scale . Any info ? Just searched eBay 

[Dpate]

 

17 minutes ago, cobraman said:

Found a Bandai and MPC in that scale . Any info ? Just searched eBay 

My judgement on MPC with model cars is rough so no way i would ever consider a plane model by them.  Trumperter has one but it's 1/32 scale, and you got tamiya, and i think hobby boss would probably have one.  I don't know too much about planes, but eduard has a good selection of P-51 mustangs in 1/48 scale.  Here is an example, and i own few bi plane kits from them and they get a A+ from me. 

Edited January 3, 2023 by Dpate

[GLMFAA1]

I've built both Bandai and Airfix/MPC Mustangs. I would prefer the Monogram 1/32 Phantom Mustang (high priced at this time)

for ease of build. They also released a silver plastic kit of the same plane so parts could be mixed and matched. Currently have an MPC/Airfix Mustang in the hanger being built as Quicksilver.

greg

[Straightliner59]

2 hours ago, cobraman said:

Found a Bandai and MPC in that scale . Any info ? Just searched eBay 

MPC is the same as Airfix.

[Bugatti Fan]

Why not go into the IPMS USA forum.

Loads of guys on there into P51's who know the ins and outs of all the available kits.

[TonyW]

One of the most kitted planes out there, along with the Spitfire and Bf109. The choice is vast.

If price is a decider, and you want a 1.48 Mustang shape without the current levels of detailing, go for an earlier kit. Just about all the kit companies have done a 1.48 kit at some point. Other scales too.

Search on line, lowest price first. For me in the UK that brings up a fair selection at under £10. The US should be similar.

The current Airfix 1.48 scale kit is very good indeed and quite a bit cheaper than the also excellent Tamiya offerings. As a rough guide, the newer the kit, the more detailed and accurate it is. The downside of that is the price rises accordingly.

 

Good luck!

[cobraman]

Thank you much fellows. I may try for one of those Eduard 1/48 scale kits . I heard good things about that company. Maybe a good size to start with as I have not built a airplane in a long time. Take up less space as well.

[stavanzer]

MPC Kit is the Airfix, Imported to the US.

Eduard is the New Gold Standard.

I would not touch the Bandai. Strictly for Collectors or Nostalgia Builders who fancy a good Wrestle, and have forgotten how the kit really is.

[cobraman]

Thanks, Eduard it is !

[Dpate]

59 minutes ago, cobraman said:

Thanks, Eduard it is !

Nice! 

[Bugatti Fan]

Eduard have a good reputation. The latest tooled Airfix P51 has had good reviews.

I don't know if Zoko Murei do one. Their aircraft kits are outstanding.

[vintagerpm]

Going with Tamiya is never a bad descision.

The airplane modelers are raving about the brand new 1/72 Mustangs from Arma Hobby, some calling it the best 1/72 Mustang ever made.

 

[cobraman]

Thanks for the info guys. I think 1/72 scale is too small for me.

[LDO]

Tamiya and Eduard are both great kits. I have built a couple of Tamiya F-51Ds (Korean War box). They go together with minimal fuss. Tamiya make a 1/32 P-51D, but it is pretty expensive. 
Tamiya also make a 1/48 P-51B. There no good 1/32 P-51B kits. All have issues. The Revell kit goes all the way back to 1969. 
The F-51D represents the change from Army Air Force to an independent branch. It also has an “uncuffed” propellor. Most D models had cuffs or sleeves at the base of each blade. The uncuffed prop would be the one to use for most P-51 racing planes. Draw Decals sell decals for several racing planes. 

On the Eduard boxes, some say Profi Pack and others say Weekend Edition. The Profi Pack kits have photoetched parts, including an instrument panel that is painted. It’s jewel-like. 
 

Revell of Germany makes a 2017 new-tool 1/32 P-51D. Two versions; early and late. The early version does not have a fillet for the vertical stabilizer. The late model does. Some were modified in the field to get the fillet. It aided in stability.  The Revell kit is a lot less expensive than the Tamiya kit. A little less detail, but IMHO, a lot of bang for the buck. 
 

If you are modeling a specific airframe, check your reference info. Most P-51s had wing panel lines filled in and painted a silver color. It had a new type airfoil; the “laminar flow” wing. Of course it still has access to the gun bays and fuel fillers. 
 

If you want pics of the Eduard Profi Pack kit (unassembled) let me know. I can take pics later tonight…I think I have a Profi-Pack, anyway. 

[Matt Bacon]

The Revell 1/32 kit is very good value for money, and a great build:

https://www.hyperscale.com/2017/reviews/kits/revell03944reviewbg_1.htm

And it's 56 bucks at spruebrothers as opposed to $180 or so for the Tamiya in that scale, which is only a little more  than they want for the Eduard 1/48 kits.

best,

M.

Edited January 4, 2023 by Matt Bacon

[cobraman]

Man , a ton of choices . Thanks 

[cobraman]

Thank you all for your suggestions. I decided on and just ordered the 1/32 Tamiya kit.

[bluestringer]

I just built my first plane. It was the Airfix 1/72 scale P-40 Tomahawk. Found out quickly 1/72 is too small. I was gifted an Academy 1/35 AH-1Z Viper helicopter for Christmas, it looks to be a very nice kit. Lots of detail and comes with  PE fret parts and even has the mask pieces already cut for the canopy. I also picked up a Revell 1/48 P-51D kit at HL, the P-51 is my favorite also. Next kit I buy will probably be Tamiya as I have heard they are some really great kits.

[Fat Brian]

1 hour ago, bluestringer said:

I just built my first plane. It was the Airfix 1/72 scale P-40 Tomahawk. Found out quickly 1/72 is too small. I was gifted an Academy 1/35 AH-1Z Viper helicopter for Christmas, it looks to be a very nice kit. Lots of detail and comes with  PE fret parts and even has the mask pieces already cut for the canopy. I also picked up a Revell 1/48 P-51D kit at HL, the P-51 is my favorite also. Next kit I buy will probably be Tamiya as I have heard they are some really great kits.

I agree that 1/72 scale aircraft are difficult to work with. Especially if you don't have an airbrush it can be nearly impossible to get an in scale looking paint job.