Hi Guys,
I’m almost done with the Saturn V LUT, then I have to build a set of B-1B PE Burner Cans for a guy on another forum, then I want to start a P-51 series. I really want to build one of each type. My kids bought me a Tamiya P-51D for my birthday last week, I have a Accurate Miniatures RAF MK-1A (P-51A).
My question is: Who make the best 1:48 P-51 B,C, P-51K, P-51H. Maybe there are aftermarket parts to make the K. I think it’s just a prop change.
Thanks for the help
Cheers
Don’t forget the A-35 and Piper Enforcer.
Accurate Miniatures is the only one I know of that makes the Allison engined versions. AM and Tamiya both make a B/C. If you can find one, Modelcraft makes a Twin Mustang, but be prepared for a lot of sanding to get it to fit right.
Here’s a link to my Mustang series. All are AM birds except for the P-51D and F-6D, as they are from Tamiya and Hasegawa, respectfully. /forums/t/124774.aspx
For the B I’d go with Tamiya. For the C, Accurate Miniatures.
Regards, Rick
Oh and the P-51K is just a Dallas built P-51D. The only thing you have to do to make it a K is switch out canopies. The Tamiya and Hasegawa kits both give you the option for a Dallas built K canopy or the regular D canopy.
The H is a different story. It was designed to be lighter than the D/K. It has a taller tail and different landing gear struts. I believe it has a different length as well, which way I can’t recall.
Having over 150 P-51 kits (almost every kit of the P-51 ever made) I might be able to help you out. For the early Allison engined versions the Accurate Miniatures kits are the only ones available (As was already pointed out). The B and C (they are the same airframe, just produced in different factories), both the Tamiya and Accurate Miniatures kits are good, I would give the edge to the Tamiya for buildability. Hasegawa did many releases of the K. If you need one of the props to put on a D kit you already have drop me a message I’ll send you one. There has never been anything available for the E, F, and G prototypes. As for the H, both HiPM and Classic Airframes have made the H. Both were limited run kits, and both had their plus and minuses. The Modelcraft P-82 series are kits that are pretty terrible (bad fit, poor details, but most of all an incorrect inner wing), but they are the only ones in 1/48.
This is not true. The difference between the D and the K was the prop. The D had a Hamilton Standard and the K an Aeroproducts one. The “Dallas” canopy could be found one both variants and did not indicate model letter.
P-51a A/M
A-36 A/M
B/C A/M, Tamiya
B/C F-6(recce) A/M
D/K Tamiya beats Hasegawa(just for the dropped flaps
D/K F-6 (recce) Hasegawa + resin conversion
H Classic Airframes??? (little rough, but not out of your league)
F-82 Modelcraft(2 versions) That’ll teach you how to swear!!!)
Revellogram put out a 1/48 scale P-51B/C in 1/48 scale
Thanks for all the info guys. What is the F-6 Recce?
Photo Recon version of the P-51. All Photo recon aircraft in WWII had the F designation instead of the P (Don’t ask me why). Basically the P-51 P-38 had Photo recon versions with different designations with the P-51 being the F-6 and the P-38 had the F-15.
I screwed up a bit.
The B/C F-6 is not a B/C it’s an A model.
And here is the conversion for the D F-6 (must be used with Hasegawa kit.
In WWII the F stood for Foto, while the P stood for Persuit. The photo recon version of the P-38 was the F-5 not the F-15
Thanks everyone. You’re a wealth of information. Time to start collecting kits.
Cheers
the P designator meant Pursuit, throw back to the 30’s… Since P was used, the F for Photo was then chosen… ( i havn’t read all of this thread yet… so if someone else answered… oops! sorry )
More stupid questions. I have an Accurate Miniatures MK-1A Mustang. Is this the same thing as a P-51A without the long barrelled guns?
Cheers
NA-73X Prototype
Mustang I…(guns in lower nose)
P-51/Mustang IA…(no guns in nose, “long” guns in wings)
A-36A…(guns in nose, dive brakes in wings)
P-51A/Mustang II…(gunports in wing) The only dif. between the “IA” & the “II”, far as I can tell.
P-51B/C/ Mustang III (some with tail fillet)
P-51D/ Early-no fillet
P-51D/ late-with fillet
9.XP-51F prototype/many differences
XP-51J/ prototype-even more difs.
P-51H
So, I guess the answer to your ?, is yes. As far as I can tell(by line drawings)
These pics are from “P-51 In Action” (Squadron pub.) I can loan it to you if you like(bring it along to the show in a couple weeks)
Got my hands on a new Revell P-51B/C and let me tell ya it looks really good. Nice engraved panel lines better cockpit detail and the fits look to be better than the older one too, although I have only done a bit of dry fitting. Cant beat the price either at 12 bucks and some change at the LHS.
Hey Fermis. Thanks for the offerI to barrow the book. can’t wait that long. I’m starting to collect and order kits now. Can I meet you at the airport one day this week and pick it up?
Cheers
Don’t know if I’ll be working the A/P this week. I’ll PM my #, I can meet you half way(New Hudson-ish) during the week some time.