KIT BOX
12 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - August 2019
AIRFIX
A
irfix’s third incarnation of the famous P-51D Mustang from
their 2017 new tooling deals with the aircraft in British and
Commonwealth service, with P-51K or Mk.IV variants being offered.
With a box art bearing more than a passing resemblance to the
classic Matchbox 1:72 ‘Dooleybird’ from the early 1970s this is one
of the two marking options in the kit, which will no doubt please modellers of a
certain age (like me!). It has been the subject of much speculation over the years
as to what colours were used on this famous nose-art adorned RAF aircraft, with
yellow, red or blue all being offered as possibilities. As no colour photos exist of this
airframe it really is down to interpretation, though it is widely regarded with recent
research that the spinner and nose was blue and white with yellow fuselage bands
and roundel blue codes. This is all noted in the painting guide with detailed colour
descriptions to aid the modeller with painting and markings should they choose this
famous scheme fl own by Flt. Lt. Joe Doley from 19 Squadron during late 1945. The
alternative marking option is for a standard Dark Green, Ocean Grey and Medium
Sea Grey, Royal Australian Air Force machine based in Italy in 1945.
The parts in the box are the same as previously released with an additional
runner carrying the alternative Aeroproducts propeller as fi tted to the RAF machines,
as opposed to the cuffed Hamilton Standard propeller fi tted to USAF aircraft. The
cockpit is superbly detailed with a beautifully rendered seat cushion featuring
moulded in seat straps, a detailed instrument panel with decals for the details as
well as rudder pedals, control column and separately moulded sidewall panels that
affi x to the fuselage halves. Surface detail is a neat mix of recessed panel lines and
rivets and though the wings are fully detailed, they should’t be too hard to smooth
over should that be your preferred fi nishing option.
This really does seem to be the best 1:48 scale Mustang now available to
modellers as regards details and options such as fuel drop tanks or bombs,
alternate wheels (smooth or treaded tyres) correct canopy shape and fi t. You even
get a neat pilot fi gure with separately moulded arms to allow you to pose them as
you wish. All control surfaces and fl aps are separate pieces allowing the modeller
to pose them with some degree of animation, useful as the fl aps and landing gear
doors would almost always be seen drooped open on a parked aircraft as the
hydraulic pressure would bleed off and gravity takes over.
The decals look superb and are brilliantly detailed and being printed by Cartograf
in Italy, their quality is assured. Full stencil data details are provided with a
comprehensive placement guide.http://www.airfi x.com
NORTH AMERICAN MUSTANG MK.IV/ P-51K
Airfi x/Materials: IM/Kit No. A05137/Availability: All Good Model Shops/Price: £20.
1:
VERDICT
It really is nice to see Airfi x showing the Commonwealth and RAF aircraft some recognition with the schemes and details included in this kit. It should build up
as well as any of their previous Mustangs and we will be bringing you an in depth build of this kit in coming months. (Mike Williams)