Tamiya's 1/32 scale P-51D Mustang
Mustang Mk.IVa

by Brett Green

Tamiya's 1/32 scale P-51D Mustang is available online from Squadron

I spent a good chunk of the end of June and the first half of July working on Tamiya's magnificent new 1/32 scale P-51D Mustang.

This is a thoroughly engrossing model, and a genuine masterpiece of design.

In the first week, I finished the cockpit and engine sub-assemblies.

Construction to this stage was entirely from the box, with the only deviations being some paint colours (including the artistic, not necessarily authentic, choice of a woodgrain timber floor), the addition of the white border around the flying instruments plus a few extra placards.

After much deliberation, I even decided to use Tamiya's photo-etched metal harness.

This kit required more time for construction and painting than Tamiya's 1/32 scale Spitfires but, amazingly, the Mustang's detail and engineering is even better than its predecessor.

Here, the basic airframe is assembled, but there is still some way to go.

The entire engine bay is superbly designed, and it all fits together perfectly too. In fact, fit has been perfect in all areas, with not so much as a smear of Tamiya Surfacer required.

Tamiya supplies two sets of covers for the machine gun bays so that the modeller may display the bays open using the cut-up panels; and closed with the intact set.

Basic construction was finished by mid-July and I took some photos in wheels-up configuration for a series of in-flight Photoshop photos.

I converted my model to a P-51K, or Mustang Mk.IVa in Britsh and Commonwealth service.

Decals for this scheme are from Xtradecals' 1/32 scale item no. X32043, which includes full national markings and unique stencils. They performed beautifully.

This model, along with others by Roy Sutherland and Mark Glidden, will be described in detail in the forthcoming ADH Publishing book, "How to Build Tamiya's 1/32 scale P-51D Mustang".

More information on pricing and ordering will be posted closer to publication.

Stay tuned for more!

Thanks to Tamiya Japan for the sample.

Model and Text Copyright © 2011 by Brett Green
Page Created 8 July, 2011
Last Updated 5 August, 2011

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