F-6D/K
ProfiPACK Edition

Eduard, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

The prototype NA-73X Mustang was designed and rolled out by North American Aviation a mere 102 days after the specification was issued by the British Purchasing Commission. The initial operational Mustang variants were powered by the Allison V-1710 engine, which was optimised for low-altitude performance. The P-51 Mustang flew its first operational missions with the Royal Air Force in the reconnaissance and fighter-bomber roles.

The combination of a Rolls Royce Merlin engine with the innovative airframe and laminar flow wing design of the A-35/P-51A resulted in one of the best fighter aircraft of World War Two. However, the P-51B/C series (Mustang III) was somewhat hampered by poor visibility through its heavily framed canopy. It was also difficult to bail out in an emergency due to the multi part canopy. The Malcolm Hood was a sliding, one-piece canopy designed by the British to be fitted to the Mustang III to address the bailout problem. However, this was a stopgap measure.

The airframe was therefore redesigned with a cut-down rear fuselage and a large, bubble-topped sliding canopy. This would become the P-51D - the definitive version of the Mustang, and perhaps the classic American fighter of the Second World War. A total of 7,956 P-51Ds were produced.

North American’s Inglewood factory could not keep up with the pressing demand for this high-performance fighter, so production was also undertaken at Dallas. There was also a shortage of Hamilton Standard propellers. The "P-51K" designation was applied to a further 1,500 machines built at this Dallas facility. The P-51K was almost identical to the P-51D except for the propeller.

The P-51K was equipped with a four-bladed Aeroproducts propeller assembly. This could be distinguished from the Hamilton Standard prop on the P-51D by the lack of the characteristic "cuffs" at the root of each propeller blade and a narrower chord.

The F-6D-NA/NT was a photo reconnaissance conversion. 147 NA and 136 NT aircraft were converted and used operationally in the European, Pacific and CBI theatres.

Eduard has expanded their 1/48 scale Mustang family to include the F-6D/K reconnaissance version.

Eduard’s new 1/48 scale F-6D/K comprises around 225 parts in grey plastic, 17 parts in clear, a colour photo-etched fret, die-cut self-adhesive masks and decals for six marking options.

The main differences between theis PR boxing and the earlier versions from Eduard is a brand new fuselge sprue.

This has the port side camera fairings moulded in place, so you won't have to cut holes in a generic fuselage. This is a nice touch and typical of Eduard, who rarely take short cuts.

The bottom camera fairing is a separate part on Sprue G.

The drop tank sprue, Sprue J that we have seen previously in the VLR Mustang boxing, is included here too.

At 225, the parts count is not really anywhere near as high as it might sound. Owing to the large number of options and parts for other versions, 82 of the grey plastic parts are marked "not for use", and five clear parts are also destined to stay on the sprues. You can subtract another dozen or so for alternate parts.

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Thumbnail panels:

The parts breakdown is quite conventional although there are a few fuselage and wing inserts to provide for various options.

Surface detail is beautifully done with crisply recessed panel lines and selected rows of rivets. There are also a number of rows of subtly raised rivets where appropriate.

Recessed panel lines are present on the wings but rivets are not. I think this should satisfy the majority of modellers.

The fabric control surfaces feature restrained and convincing raised tape texture.

Two different fin fillets are included. The one on the left in the photo below is appropriate fpr this version.

Construction gets underway in the fabulously detailed cockpit. First up is a seven-part plastic pilot’s seat, enhanced with photo-etched harness straps. Photo-etched parts are also used for the instrument panel with raised bezels, quadrants and various handles and switch panels.

A choice of two photo-etched instrument panels are included.

Alternative plasic instrument panels, lower switch panels, gun sights, coaming and sidewall switch panel parts are offered.

The sidewall frame structures are separate parts.

To the rear of the pilot, parts are suppied for three styles of radio, battery and IFF installation

Three styles of propeller blades are included - Hamilton Standard with cuff, Hamilton Standard without cuff and Aeroproducts . These are moulded in pairs with a separate hub. Two subtly different propeller spinner assemblies are also included.

The kit also offers the choice of shrouded or exposed exhausts. These are moulded as one piece per side and the ends of the stubs are hollowed out.

The main landing gear bay is beautifully detailed and the shape is correct.

The diamond tread tyres and wheel hubs are separate parts.

Ailerons and landing flaps are separate parts held in place with tabs. Two sets of separate elevators are included representing the early fabric covered and the later metal skinned. The flaps feature a mix of raised and recessed rivets - just lovely.

The rudder is also a separate part.

The machine gun panels on the wing leading edge are separate inserts. This avoids the tricky seam/join that would otherwise run through the centre of the gun muzzles.

The radiator flap may be posed open.

Three different carburettor air filter intakes for the lower sides of the engine cowling are also included.

Lots of other options are supplied on the sprues includi two 108 gallon paper drop tanks, two 75 gallon metal drop tanks, two 100lb bombs, two 250lb bombs, two triple rocket tubes, ten 5" HVAR rockets and a DF loop.

Many of these options are not required for the F-6D/K markings supplied in this kit, but these will all come in handy for your hungry spares box.

Three styles of sliding canopy are included - Dallas early, Inglewood early and Inglewood intermediate. The instructions advise which version applies to which canopy.

The clear bubble section is moulded with the frame, so you won’t have any trouble getting a nice clean painting line. The windscreen is moulded with a small section of the upper fuselage, once again ensuring a clean join and painting demarcation.

All transparencies are clear, thin and free from distortion.

Two canopy mounted rear view mirrors and a number of lights and lenses are also moulded as clear parts.

Markings

Markings are supplied for six aircraft photo reconnaissance options.

A great selection of different markings and artwork are offered:

• F-6D-15, 44-14874, Lt. John E. Jacoby, 82nd TRS, 71st TRG, 5th AF, Johnson Field, Japan, September 1945

• F-6D-10, 44-14699, flown by Lt. Clifford S. Slonneger, 109th TRS, 67th TRG, 9th AF, Gosselies, Belgium, 1945

• F-6K-10, 44-12223, 118th TRS, 23rd FG, 14th AF, Chengkung, China, 1945

• F-6K-15, 75th FS, 23rd FG, 14th AF, Luliang Airfield, China, 1945

• F-6D-15, 44-15417, flown by Lt. Edwin H. Pearle, 2nd FS, 2nd ACG, Cox´s Bazar, India, Spring 1945

• F-6D-10, 44-14659, 111th TRS, 68th TRG, 12th AF, Fürth, Germany, July 1945

Decals are printed perfectly by Eduard.

Eduard continues to deliver with the latest addition to their 1/48 scale Mustang family - the photo-reconnaissance F-6D/K.

Cockpit and wheel well detail are quite clearly the best of any 1/48 scale Mustang kit currently available. Surface texture and the sheer number of optional parts are also class leading.

You won't have to cut up the fuseage either, as it is moulded on the sprue with the camera fairing on a new fuselage half.

This is another Gold Standard Mustang from Eduard.

Thanks to Eduard for the sample.

Text and Images Copyright © 2021 by Brett Green
Page Created 12 January, 2021
Last updated 13 January, 2021

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