Tamiya P-51D Mustang North American 1/72 Scale Model Kit 60749

Description

Includes: Plastic sprues, Waterslide decals, Clear parts

The North American Aviation P-51 Mustang was an American long-range, single-seat fighter and fighter-bomber used during World War II, the Korean War and several other conflicts. During World War II, Mustang pilots claimed 4,950 enemy aircraft shot down, second only to the carrier borne Grumman F6F Hellcat among Allied aircraft.
It was conceived, designed and built by North American Aviation (NAA), under the direction of lead engineer Edgar Schmued, in response to a specification issued directly to NAA by the British Purchasing Commission; the prototype NA-73X airframe was rolled out on 9 September 1940, albeit without an engine, 102 days after the contract was signed and first flew on 26 October.

The Mustang was originally designed to use the Allison V-1710 engine, which had limited high-altitude performance. It was first flown operationally by the Royal Air Force (RAF) as a tactical-reconnaissance aircraft and fighter-bomber. The addition of the Rolls-Royce Merlin to the P-51B/C model transformed the Mustang’s performance at altitudes above 15,000 ft, giving it a performance that matched or bettered the majority of the Luftwaffe’s fighters at altitude.The definitive version, the P-51D, was powered by the Packard V-1650-7, a license-built version of the Rolls-Royce Merlin 60 series two-stage two-speed supercharged engine, and armed with six .50 caliber (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine guns.

From late 1943, P-51Bs (supplemented by P-51Ds from mid-1944) were used by the USAAF’s Eighth Air Force to escort bombers in raids over Germany, while the RAF’s 2 TAF and the USAAF’s Ninth Air Force used the Merlin-powered Mustangs as fighter-bombers, roles in which the Mustang helped ensure Allied air superiority in 1944. The P-51 was also in service with Allied air forces in the North African, Mediterranean and Italian theatres, and saw limited service against the Japanese in the Pacific War.

At the start of Korean War, the Mustang was the main fighter of the United Nations until jet fighters such as the F-86 took over this role; the Mustang then became a specialized fighter-bomber. Despite the advent of jet fighters, the Mustang remained in service with some air forces until the early 1980s. After World War II and the Korean War, many Mustangs were converted for civilian use, especially air racing.

Product Features

Detailed 1/72nd scale for static display.
Ready to assemble precision model kit with fine recessed panel lines on fuselage and wings.
Detailed landing gear and wheel wells.
Detailed cockpit.
Choice of Dallas-built canopy or a normal canopy, each in the “bubble” design.
Two 75 gallon drop tanks.
4-bladed propeller on nose.
Waterslide decals and detailed pictorial instructions.

Product Specifications

Scale: 1/72
Wingspan: 6-1/4″ (15.7cm)
Fuselage Length: 5-1/4″ (13.6cm)
Tamiya Product Number: 60749

Product Markings

One decal sheet with markings for three aircraft
1: HO, M, 414151, U.S. Air Force Star Insignia.
2: E2, S, 413926, U.S. Air Force Star Insignia.
3: G4, C, 411622, Nooky Booky IV, U.S. Air Force Insignia.
Airframe and Detail Colors
Olive Drab, Bare-Metal Silver, Black, Blue, Green, Red, Lemon
Yellow, Gun Metal, Chrome Silver, Semi Gloss Black, Flat Black,
Flat Yellow, Flat Green, Flat Blue, Flat Brown, Flat Aluminum.

Scale : 1/72

Assembly and painting required. Kit does not include model cement glue, paint, tools, and adult supervision where required.

Item: TAM 60749

Contents subject to change.