I have just purchased a set of decals from squadron that are Eaglestrike, They are in 1/48 scale. The title is Slybirds (for those of you who have bought them[;)]). I wanted to build Donna-mite one but its for a K verson of the mustang I got a revell kit Thats a “D” of course and wondering if theres a converson kit. The only differance I see is the paddle blade prop where can I get one?
There are more differences than just the propeller The most noticable would be a completly different canopy shape. I am sure there are others but a first glance the propeller and the canopy would definetly stick out.
Soulcrusher
I don’t know what exact external differences there are, but I do know the K version was not an upgrade but actually a new airframe all together. I can only speculate that there is little in common with one another when you get down to it. They do look very close to one another, but I also know those who know P-51’s can easily tell the too apart. Kinda like a 109K’s, they looks like the rest of the 109’s but by all rights a new build. Somewhere I have a web site of all the differences between the two. If I can find it I’ll post it.
I’m cutting against the grain here, but my references all agree on what’s below.
The only difference you can be (somewhat) sure of is the propeller, the Aeroproducts prop on the K had no cuffs and that is pretty visible, but it could have been swapped for a cuffed Hamilton Standard in the field. Both canopy types were installed at both Inglewood (D production) or Fort Worth (K production), and were interchanged in the field. If the markings are for a postwar K it could have an uncuffed Hamilton Standard prop. You really need a contemporary photo to be sure.
Unless you can read the data block, the most severe Mustang critic can’t tell the difference between a D and a K unless they know it still had the prop that was on it when it left the factory.
I checked my Tamiya D and it has both canopies. The only K I have is a Hasegawa kit and it is in storage. So, if you do have the Tamiya kit, or if the Hasegawa D kits have both canopies also, all you need is the prop now that you have the decals. [:)]
And if you don’t decide to go ahead with those decals, I’ll take 'em, my better half’s name is Donna!
As John noted, the P-51D & K were virtually identical. the uncuffed prop & higher profile canopy were usually associated with the K, but the canopy was interchangeable & could be found on both types. The all new Mustang referred to by Phoenix was the H model, not the K. I think the uncuffed prop is included with the Tamiya or Hasegawa F-51 D Korean War kit, so maybe someone has a spare ?
Regards, Rick
http://www.xs4all.nl/~fbonne/warbirds/ww2htmls/nortp51.html
I was wrong look here.
The K had inproved wing attachment but nothing that can be seen from the outside.
If you want to go AM, Ultracast offers resin props & corrected spinners for both the cuffless Hamilton Standard & Aeroproducts versions. Designed for the Tamiya kit, but should be adaptable to the Hasegawa kit with minimal effort. A bit pricey at $10.95 CND + shipping, but vey high quality.
Regards, Rick
I wonder if I could sand the grooves on the D model and that would look good enough… Probaly not though. Hey rick where can you get those resin blades[:)]
Ultracast at http://www.ultracast.ca
Look under Aircraft Accessories & scroll down to the Mustang.
Regards, Rick
Squadron has vacuum formed canopies for the “Dallas” canopy Mustangs. The K was built in Dallas TX (sorta) Fort Worth is just down the road a piece!!! That having been said you should consider buying either a Hasagawa Mustang or the Tamia Mustang kit. They both give you the two styles of canopy and I know that the Korean war Mustang by Hasagawa has the variations of the propeller blades and also different exausts pipes. Tamia has flaps that can be posed in the down position. I cannot recall if the Tamia kit has the different propeller blades. Anyone know? The idea is that for a few dollars more you can get the whole kit and not just the AM parts. I read that the different propellers and the canopy was due to a supply problem as opposed to a design change.
The Korean War version Tamiya F-51D has both types of hood but none of their kits has an Aeroproducts prop. I think one of the Hasegawa kits does. Ultracast have a suitable Aeroproducts prop for the Tamiya kit as well as many other parts such as corrected flaps. You will need to find aftermarket decals for the Aeroproducts logo and stencilling.