Cavalier F-51D Mustang II
conversion set for Eduard P-51D/K kits

Halberd Models, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

In 1967, Cavalier developed an variant of the F-51D designed for close air support and counter-insurgency operations, calling this aircraft the Cavalier Mustang II.

The Mustang II had improved avionics, structural improvements to the wing to allow more external weapons carriage on four additional hardpoints, and an improved Rolls-Royce Merlin V-1650-724A engine.

Two batches of Mustang IIs were constructed. The first group was built for El Salvador in 1968 and the second group was constructed for export to Indonesia in 1972 and 1973. The five Mustang IIs (including one TF-51D) built for El Salvador featured wingtip fuel tanks to increase combat range.

Five Mustang IIs and one TF-51D were built for Indonesia in 1972, but they did not have tip tanks due to a U.S. State Department restriction on their combat radius.*

Halberd Models from Ukraine have released a 1/48 scale resin Cavalier F-51D Mustang II conversion. I think this is the first time that we have seen a conversion for this variant in 1/48 scale.

This set has been specifically designed for the Eduard 1/48 scale P-51D/K kits.

Halberd's conversion comprises 15 parts in green coloured resin plus a grey plastic sprue with large wing tanks, weapons and mounts. Two small decal sheets and detailed instructions are also included.

All the parts required to convert Eduard's excellent kit into this post-war, counter-insurgency variant are included in the box.

The conversion has been designed to be easy to build.

The surface textures on the resin conversion parts are the equal of those on Eduard's excellent kit - crisp, fine and consistent.

The resin conversion parts include the extended fin, four additional wing mounts for stores, aerials, wing tip tanks, rear seat headrest and canopy fittings. Production quality of these is excellent, with only minimum cleanup required and no imperfections visible on my sample.

Each big wing tip tanks is cast onto a small block at the nose. They are handed left and right as clearly labelled on each casting block.

A plastic sprue is supplied for the two underwing drop tanks. The rockets and mounts will be a nice bonus for the spares box.

Two colourful decal sheets are also included.

The instructions are offered in the form of clear diagrams.

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Thumbnail panels:

They look easy to follow.

A parts list and camouflage and markings guide round out this very impressive package.

All you need to add is an Eduard 1/48 scale P-51D/K/ Mustang Mk.IV kit. If you don't have an Eduard Mustang already, the best value for money will be to buy an Overtrees boxing from Eduard's website. These are white-box basic sprue sets with only the plastic parts. They are available for the bargain price of USD$22.95.

This is a comprehensive and well executed conversion for the next generation of Mustang.

The quality of the surface textures and casting is outstanding. Its simple design, easy cleanup and minimal surgery also means that only a moderate amount of modelling experience will be required to tackle the project.

I cannot recall an F-51D Mustang II conversion being available before, so it is nice to see this operational variant now in 1/48 scale.

Grab one while you can.

*Historical background courtesy of Wikipedia

Thanks to Halberd Models for the sample

Halberd Models eBay Shop

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Text and Images Copyright © 2021 by Brett Green
Page Created 29 October, 2021
Last updated 2 November, 2021

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