1:72 P-51/ Mustang Ia

P-51 Mustang IA in 1:72 scale

A kit from the Czech maker Brengun devoted to the very first Mustangs, that is, to the machines that differ from the later famous versions in their propulsion, their armament and the way they were committed. The model is supplied unassembled and unpainted and is meant for modelers who want this less usual guise of the type in their collection too.

The real subject

The first Mustangs arose to a British order and were powered by the American Allison V-1710 engine. That had excellent performance near the ground but lost it quickly at greater heights, and so the machines did not come into their own as high-altitude fighters. The Royal Air Force (RAF) assigned them to attacks on ground targets, to armed reconnaissance and to cooperation with ground units over occupied Europe, where a low altitude of flight did not expose their weakness. The version designated the Mustang IA differed from the basic variant in its armament: in place of machine guns it carried 20 mm cannons in the wing, which made it an effective means against ground targets. Some of these aircraft were kept by the US Army Air Forces, where they served in the reconnaissance role as well. The real turn came only with the replacement of the engine by the British Merlin, after which the Mustang became a high-altitude escort fighter.

Building and painting tips

Kits of this type tend to be fine, but the mating surfaces call for preparation. First try the parts together dry, sand the contact surfaces over and only then glue; you will save yourself filling on fragile edges. Finish and paint the cockpit before you close the fuselage up, because afterwards you will not reach it. Mask the glazing and glue it with a glue that does not react aggressively with clear parts. Choose the camouflage scheme according to the instructions in the package; on this type the divisions between the colors are applied softly, so an airbrush at low pressure or masking on putty that does not sit tight against the surface proves its worth. Apply the decals onto a gloss ground and unify the whole model with a matte varnish, or the frames of the decals will show through.

Who the model is for

• collectors of fighter aircraft of the Second World War in 1:72 scale
• modelers who want to capture the development line of the Mustang from the beginning
• those interested in the British service of American types
• slightly advanced builders who can manage fine parts and a dry fit

The model is supplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue, paints and accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.