1:72 P-51B „Mustang“ Malcolm“

The real subject

The P-51B was the version of the Mustang that the Merlin engine, a V12 built under license in the United States, gave high-altitude performance. With drop tanks the Mustang escorted bomber formations deep over the European continent, so it became one of the key fighters of the war.

The Malcolm canopy

Early Mustangs had the cockpit closed by a framed canopy with flat side panes and the view to the rear was poor. A bulged sliding canopy of British origin, known under the name Malcolm, removed this shortcoming: thanks to the bulged sides the pilot saw considerably better to the sides and to the rear. It is precisely by this canopy that machines in this form are told apart at first glance.

Building and painting tips

Before gluing, rid the parts of excess material and traces of manufacture, sand the mating faces and try the assembly dry. In 1:72 scale the parts are small, so tweezers and glue applied in drops come in useful. Paint and finish the cockpit before you close the fuselage, because it can be seen into clearly through the bulged canopy. Mask the clear part carefully before spraying. Decals hold best on a smooth gloss surface.

• 1:72 scale
• the subject: the P-51B Mustang fighter
• the form with the bulged Malcolm cockpit canopy
• the engine of the subject: the Merlin V12
• small parts; the build calls for accurate work

Terms of supply

The model is supplied unassembled. Paints, glue and filler are not part of the delivery, unless stated otherwise.