P-51D Mustang – “Petie 2nd”

Vital Stats

Manufacturer: Tamiya
Scale: 1:48
Aircraft: North American P-51D Mustang (Kit #60320)
Markings: “Petie 2nd” | Lt. Col. John C. Meyer – CO | 352nd Fighter Group | 8th Air Force |RAF Bodney, Norfolk | Autumn 1944
Aftermarket: Eduard PE Interior | Ultracast Seat | Ultracast Spinner | Ultracast Gear Doors

Mini-Review

I think every kit review (and every review of anything, really) has some degree of build-in bias. When I reviewed Tamiya’s P-51B, it was my first build on returning to the hobby, and at that point, they best I’d ever built. I was blown away by the detail and the engineering. I guess you could say I didn’t know enough to know what I didn’t like.

This time around, the situation is different, and I’m also coming off a string of solid-to-amazing kits. Tamiya’s P-47D and Mosquito NF.II. Eduard’s Bf 109E-7 Trop. Wingnut’s Sopwith Pup. And of course, Tamiya’s 1/32 Spitfire Mk.VIII.

After those, Tamiya’s 1/48 Mustang is still a very good kit, but it’s a few elements shy of being a great kit. The fit is good, but in my opinion not as click-click as their P-51B. The cockpit is decent, but easily the most lacking I’ve dealt with since Eduard’s Gavia-era Yak-3.

Overall, this kit is still a winner, still one I would recommend to anyone in a heartbeat, BUT I don’t think it’s quite as good as some of the other kits I’ve built lately.

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