P-51B Mustang - Royal Hybrid - 1/32

P-51B Mustang - Royal Hybrid

1/32 scale plastic model kit of the North American P-51B Mustang - Royal Hybrid. This premium edition combines injection-molded plastic parts with an extensive range of 3D-printed accessories, pre-painted photo-etched parts, masks, and exclusive bonus content.

About the model:
- 1/32 scale model kit
- Highly detailed model
- Brand new tooling! Plastic parts by Eduard
- Photo-etched parts included
- 3D-printed parts included: cockpit, landing geary bays, wheels and landing gear legs, machine gun barrels, exhausts
- Pilot figure included
- Masking set included
- OMASK masks / plugs for masking the landing gear bays
- 100-page publication dedicated to the operational service of the P-51B/C Mustang. It includes stories of aircraft and their pilots, colour schemes of more than 100 P-51B and C aircraft, a description of the development of the P-51B, and photographic documentation of pilot equipment
- Markings for eight versions:
P-51B-5-NA, s/n 43-6819, Capt. Duane W. Beeson, 334th FS, 4th FG,
8th AF, Debden, United Kingdom, March–April 1944
P-51B-10-NA, s/n 42-106448, Capt. Henry W. Brown, 354th FS, 355th FG,
8th AF, Steeple Morden, United Kingdom, June 1944
P-51B-10-NA, s/n 43-6934, Capt. Henry White, 328th FS, 352nd FG,
8th AF, Bodney, United Kingdom, June 1944
P-51B-15-NA, s/n 42-106839, Lt. Robert Eckfeldt, 374th FS, 361st FG,
8th AF, Bottisham, United Kingdom, June–July 1944
P-51B-15-NA, s/n 42-106924, 2nd Lt. Ralph K. Hofer, 334th FS,
4th FG, 8th AF, Debden, United Kingdom, June 1944
P-51B-5-NA, s/n 43-6425, Maj. Jack T. Bradley, CO 353rd FS, 354th FG,
9th AF, A.2 Criqueville, France, June 1944
P-51B-10-NA, s/n 43-6688, 1Lt. Arval J. Roberson, 362nd FS, 357th FG,
8th AF, Leiston, United Kingdom, June 1944
P-51B-10-NA, s/n 42-106647, Capt. John R. Brown Jr., 382nd FS, 363rd FG,
9th AF, Staplehurst, United Kingdom, June 1944

History:
The North American P-51B Mustang was one of the most important developments of the early Mustang family. While the first versions with Allison engines performed best at low and medium altitudes, the P-51B was fitted with the Packard-built Merlin V-12 engine. This combination of the Mustang’s clean aerodynamic design and the powerful Merlin engine greatly improved high-altitude performance and helped turn the aircraft into one of the most capable fighters of the Second World War.

Entering combat over Europe in late 1943, the P-51B became especially well known as a long-range escort fighter. With external drop tanks, it was able to accompany Allied bomber formations deep into enemy territory and played an important role in reducing bomber crew losses. Externally, the P-51B could be distinguished from the later bubble-canopied P-51D by its high rear fuselage behind the cockpit. Although this limited all-round visibility compared with later versions, the P-51B was fast, long-ranged and highly regarded by many pilots.