Does the ICM 1/48 P-51C model have the tail fin extension like the Accurate Miniatures kit?
progero hi[:)],
and welcome to the forums!!
[#welcome][#welcome][#welcome]
although i do mostly WWII 1/48 fighters, i must confess i’m not entirely sure exactly what you mean by tail fin extension. i’m sure though that some of the (far more knowledgeable) guys here will help you out.
happy hunting.
regards,
nick
[%-)]i am not familiar with that. but i agree with nmayhew, welcome glad to see you are not shy. i hope you find the help you need.
joe
The fin he is talking about is the little fillet that is like an extencion from the vertical stab to the fuselage, the old “D” models didnt have it, in the newer models the fin was there, and i think progero that the ICM “C” model do have the fin altough not really sure.
My best regards
Hector.
If this is the P-51 model your talking about then no. http://www.aviapress.com/viewonekit.htm?ICM-48121
Besides I dont think that fillet came in until later D’s in an attempt to improve directional stability when the fuel tank behind the seat was fully filled. The B and C versions did have this tank but they also had a lot more keel area to stabilize the aircraft. When the D and K version came along the bubble top got rid of a lot of this keel area and the fillet was added to stabilize the plane. I also think that the keel was added to a few B and Cs as well because with this tank fully fueled up they had some directional stability problems as well.
When the bubble canopy was introduced with the D, there was a directional stability shortfall due to the reduction in aft fuselage vertical surface, so the dorsal fillet was added. The aft fuel tank affected longitudinal stability, not directional stability; it moved the center of gravity back to the aft limit (or more), so the P-51 was very sensitive in pitch when the tank was full, improving as it was burned down.
The ICM kit is a Tamiya ripoff with poor canopies. Their P-51-C does not have the fin fillet. It’s the Tamiya RAF Mustang III kit with the Malcom Hood and different decals. To my knowledge, the only 1/48 injection molded P-51-C kit with the fin fillet is the AM kit.