North American P-51B Mustang - 1/48

North American P-51B Mustang

1/48 scale plastic model assembly kit of the USAAF North American P-51B Mustang.

About the model:
- 1/48 scale plastic model assembly kit
- Highly detailed model
- Length: 205 mm
- Wingspan: 235 mm
-  Based on thorough research of the actual aircraft, the kit faithfully reproduces the Mustang’s elegant lines, including the refined nose enclosing the Packard V-1650 engine and the enlarged lower fuselage section housing the radiator.
- Key features of the P-51B, such as the cockpit interior and the radiator installation in the lower fuselage, are accurately captured, while the parts layout ensures both a high level of realism and ease of assembly.
- The canopy can be assembled in either the open or closed position.
- Includes two reinforced paper 108-gallon drop tanks and two 500-lb bombs.
- Comes with three marking options and one pilot figure.

Historical background:
The North American P-51 Mustang was originally developed as a fighter aircraft for Great Britain and was later adopted by the United States Army Air Forces. It is widely regarded as one of the most capable fighter aircraft of the Second World War. Within the Mustang series, the P-51B represented a major step forward. It was the first variant powered by the supercharged, liquid-cooled Packard V-1650 V-12 engine, a license-built version of the Rolls-Royce Merlin, resulting in a significant improvement in performance compared to the earlier P-51A.

The P-51B achieved a top speed of approximately 708 km/h, offered a range exceeding 3,000 kilometers, and displayed well-balanced flight and maneuvering characteristics. Entering combat service in late 1943, it was primarily used as a long-range escort fighter, accompanying strategic bomber formations from bases in the United Kingdom deep into German airspace. There it frequently engaged German fighters such as the Messerschmitt Bf 109 and the Focke-Wulf Fw 190. The P-51B’s effectiveness played a crucial role in gaining Allied air superiority and had a decisive impact on the course of the air war.