P-51D Mustang
Royal Class

Eduard Dual Combo, 1/72 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.

This is the debut release in Eduard's brand new 1/72 scale P-51 Mustang family.

Eduard has supplied parts to permit the building of any variants from Block 5 to Block 30, including P-51Ks.

Parts for two complete kits are included. You can build one Block 5 and one later block Mustang.

Eduard’s all-new 1/72 scale P-51D Mustang comprises around 378 parts in pale grey plastic (100 marked not for use), 46 parts in clear plastic (ten marked not for use), twelve grey 3d resin parts, two colour photo-etched frets; die-cut self-adhesive canopy masks; two foam undercarriage bay masks, a metal "Mighty Eighth lapel badge and markings for 14 aircraft on three decal sheets

This parts count is not really anywhere near as high as might sound. First, keep in mind that there are two full kits in the box. Also, owing to the large number of options and parts for other versions, 100 of the grey plastic parts are marked "not for use", and ten clear parts are also destined to stay on the sprues. You can subtract another dozen or two for alternate parts.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 

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. These represent the early field installed version appropriate to the P-51D-5 schemes on the decal sheet. The second style is the factory fitted version that applies to later production blocks.

A third option with no fin fillet is also included. This is for Block 5 subjects.

Construction gets underway in the detailed cockpit. First up are two alternative plastic seats. A pair of optional 3d printed resin seats are offered too, with the back cushion and harness straps printed in place.

Photo-etched parts are used for the instrument panel with raised bezels, quadrants and various handles and switch panels.

Two different photo-etched frets are supplied for early and late style instrument panels.

Alternative plasic instrument panels, lower switch panels, gun sights, coaming and sidewall switch panel parts are offered for the D-5 and later production blocks up to the D-20.

The sidewall frame structures are separate parts. Three alternative sidewalls are supplied for the starboard side with a number of different detail parts too.

To the rear of the pilot, parts are supplied for two 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. Quite reasonably for this small scale, the ends of the stacks are solid.

Eduard has also supplied two sets of 3d printed resin exhausts - one shrouded and one exposed.

These are moulded as one piece per side and the ends of the stubs are hollowed out - very impressive.

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

The plastic diamond tread tyres and wheel hubs are separate parts.

Eduard also supplies two sets of 3d printed wheels. There is a pair of cross-tread tyres pllus a pair of honeycomb tread tyres. These are subtly bulged and flattened with raised lettering on the sidewalls. Two anti-shimmy tail wheels are included too.

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 moulded with the vertical stabiliser.

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.

Other options include 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 this kit, but your spares box will thank you!

Three styles of sliding canopy are included - Dallas early, Inglewood early and Inglewood intermediate. These will cover variants from the D-5 to D-25.

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.

The package is rounded out with a nice "Mighty Eighth" lapel badge in a small plastic case.

A pair of foam painting masks to block off the main undercarriage bays is also included.

This is a nice touch that I hope we will see in future releases.

Markings

Markings are supplied for 14 aircraft.

A great selection of different colours and patterns are offered. Specific subjects are:

1. P-51D-15, 44-15080, Capt. Amos H. Bomberger, 361st FS, 356th FG, 8th AF, Martlesham Heath, United Kingdom, December 1944

2. P-51D-10, 44-14798, Maj. Joseph Broadhead, 357th FG, 8th AF, Leiston, United Kingdom, January 1945

3. P-51D-5, 44-13317, Capt. Donald R. Emerson, 336th FS, 4th FG, 8th AF, Debden, United Kingdom, September 1944

4. P-51D-5, 44-13837, Lt. Richard Ozinga, 343rd FS, 55th FG, 8th AF, Wormingford, United Kingdom, September 1944

5. P-51D-5, 44-13561, Maj. Richard E. Turner, 356th FS, 354th FG, 9th AF, Orconte, France, September 1944

6. P-51D-5, 44-13693, 2nd Lt. Bruce W. Carr, 353rd FS, 354th FG, 9th AF, Orconte, France, October 1944

7. P-51D-15, Lt. Charles White, 301st FS, 332nd FG, 15th AF, Ramitelli, Italy, January 1945

8. P-51D-10, 44-14467, Lt. Gordon H. McDaniel, 318th FS, 325th FG, 15th AF, Rimini, Italy, March 1945

9. P-51D-5, 44-13500, Capt. Robert J. Goebel, 308th FS, 31st FG, 15th AF, San Severo, Italy, 1944

10. P-51D-20, 44-64124, Capt. Leroy V. Grosshuesch, 39th FS, 35th FG, 5th AF, Okinawa, August 1945

11. P-51D-25, 44-72671, 457th FS, 506th FG, 20th AF, Iwo Jima, June 1945

12. P-51D-25, 44-72628, Lt. Ralph R. Coltman / Lt. James E. Coleman, 458th FS, 506th FG, 20th AF, Iwo Jima, July 1945

13. Mustang Mk.IVA, KH729, S/Ldr Mitchell Johnston, No. 442 "Caribou" Squadron RCAF, RAF station Digby, United Kingdom, June 1945

14. Mustang Mk.IVA, KH774, Fl/Lt. Ellis F. Blanchford, No. 112 Squadron RAF, No. 239 Wing RAF, Italy, April 1945

Decals are printed perfectly by Eduard

Stencils are supplied on two smaller decal sheets.

Much in common withe their gorgeous 1/48 scale pony from 2019, Eduard has delivered another beautiful kit with their 1/72 scale P-51D Mustang.

Level of detail, surface texture and the sheer number of optional parts are class leading.

The plastic parts are supplied to finish the models as a wide range of production blocks from the D-5 up to the D-30 in the European or Pacific theatres. Inclusion of the Aeroproducts propeller means that you can build a P-51K too.

This really is a Gold Standard Mustang and a very versatile kit.

Well done Eduard and roll on with your new 1/72 scale P-51D family!

Thanks to Eduard for the sample.

Text and Images Copyright © 2024 by Brett Green
Page Created 30 July, 2024
Last updated 30 July, 2024

Back to HyperScale Main Page