Known for their fights over Europe in the Allied air forces, the Mustangs were first and foremost purebred fighters that successfully escorted the ‘Flying Fortresses’ raids against the Reich and brought the German Luftwaffe to its ultimate doom. No less important and interesting, however, were the battles against the Japanese in which Mustangs took part in areas including China and Burma.
In the so-called CBI Theatre (China-Burma-India), the way aviation was used was very different from Europe. Instead of large strategic air strikes, tactical operations consisting of supporting ground troops, defending them from enemy aviation, attacking ground targets and reconnaissance predominated. In such a role, too, the fast and powerful Mustang proved itself admirably, thanks to its high payload, becoming an effective assault and even dive bomber, armed with a variety of bombs and rockets, able to operate safely without an escort!
Designed in the USA to British order, the North American P-51 Mustang aircraft was initially produced with the USA-made Allison engine, tuned for low altitude. Already this version was a success and went into service not only with the RAF, but also with the US Air Force. These aircraft performed best as reconnaissance and attack planes, at high altitudes they lacked power. The problem was solved by the use of the legendary British Rolls-Royce Merlin engine, which, manufactured under licence by Packard, made the Mustang the best fighter of World War II. Mass production of the new version of the Mustang was carried out at North American plants in California under the designation P-51B-NA and in Texas as P-51C-NT. A total of 3738 B and C version aircraft were built. Some 900 of these, under the designation Mustang Mk III, were transferred to the RAF and to the Polish Air Force, RAAF, RCAF and Free French. Introduced into service in late 1943, they were gradually replaced by aircraft of the new P-51D/K version from mid-1944.
Includes
- Aeroplane plastic parts (2 grey sprues, 1 clear sprue)
- Plastic parts – additional armament (1 grey sprue)
- Canopy and wheels painting mask
- Decals with 3 marking options
Marking options
- P-51 B-15-NA Mustang, pilot: Cpt. B.H. “Butch” Ashmore, 26th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group, Kunming, China 1944
- P-51 B-10-NA Mustang, 529th Fighter Squadron, 311th Fighter Group, pilot: Lt. Wilbert McEvoy, Burma, summer 1944
- P-51 B-7-NA Mustang, “JEANNE III” Cpt. Burton N. Rodier, 26th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group, China 1944
