Looking to purchase a P-51D in 1/32 scale. I think there are only a couple offered, Hasagawa and Dragon. They’re within a dollar or two of each other and from what I’ve read they both have their shortcomings. Hasa offers two different models, about ten dollars difference in the two and I’m not familiar with the differences between them. I bought the cheaper model some time ago and the first thing I noticed was the bucket was way off from what it should be, short with no backplane. Is the more expensive model the same? If so then I’m looking at additional money for AM parts which I’d rather stay away from. The Dragon kit sounds nice and it seems you get a lot more for the buck but I’m not familiar with their products. So with this said which kit would ya’ll recommend? Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
All the 1/32 Hasegawa P-51D kits are the same except for the decals. I assume the “bucket” was the pilots seat. I robbed Monograms old P-51 seat to use in a future build. I had a chance to get the Dragon kit but $45 seemed a bit much for me.
I built the Hase kit eon’s ago when it was 1st released it was junk then and from what i hear it’s still junk. As for the Dragon kit, it’s fine if you like ten gazillion rivit/divit’s that take nine or ten automotive primer coats and hour’s of sanding just to make it look like a Mustang on the outside, not to mention the major surgery required just to make it go together, and having to build a WHOLE NEW FLOOR for the pit, because the one in the kit doesn’t fit, nor do the tire’s fit the wheels. But it does have a couple of good point’s, a very nice engine and six very nice mg’s and ammo belt’s. Some people like the kit, but i’m willing to bet there’s more who think it too is junk, but that of course is just my[2c]
Thanks guys, I think I’ll just wait for something better to come along. Maybe Tamiya will issue one. I just hope my AM decals won’t yellow while waiting.
Academy/Minicraft makes/made a 1/32 scale P-51D. I don’t know how it compares to the kits mentioned in other posts or whether it is currently in production, but they do show up on eBay from time to time. I don’t remember what I paid, but I know it wasn’t anywhere near $45. I’ve got four kids to feed. I haven’t assembled it yet, but I have test-fit many of the pieces and they seem to fit cleanly. Other than the pilot figure (which looks like a lump of plastic) it seems fairly detailed. Recessed panel lines and rivets. I’ll scratch build some extra detail, I always do, but it should make a nice piece when done.
I 'm building the Hasegawa “Man O War” P-51D right now. I think it will be a good kit, but my particular kit didn’t have any of the locator pins for the fuselage halves intact. Also, I tend to suspend mine from the ceiling in my office, so there are a lot of detail features I’ll never see.( This kit has openable panels and full weapons bays including six 50s and ammunition tracks. ) it is a challenging build, but if you have the patience , it will produce a pretty good kit. I’ll let you know as soon as I figure out how to submit photos on here…
I built the Hase kit not a bad kit in the overall look of a P-51.I did basically ditched there copit and went w/a combination of a couple of aftermarket kits(resin and PE).I would post some pics but like Claude do not know how yet ?
I just finished the Dragon kit and have built the Has kit several times. The Dragon kit is better and all it’ll take is a little work to get great results. Do a search of this site for a great bulid by hkshooter. The Hasegawa kit build up nicely also, it’s just showing it’s age. Good Luck
