Hello,
I am looking at two 1/32 scale P-51D Mustang kits form Dragon and would like to get some help in choosing the best one for doing the 1944 Major George Preddy Mustang. Dragon (DML) has the #3201 P-51D Mustang and the #3205 P-51D Mustang Early Production kit.
Thanks George
If you’re going to build ‘Cripes A’ Mighty 3rd’, use the ‘early production’ kit (#3205)… this Mustang was a block-5 production bird and did not leave the factory with the fin fillet, although it was probably fitted in the field at some point.
P-51D 44-13321, ‘Cripes A’ Mighty 3rd’, 487th FS
Little Friends.co.uk
If you’re going to do Preddy’s last Mustang, named simply ‘Cripes A’ Mighty’ use kit #3201… that ship was a block-15 bird and was built with the fillet.
P-51D 44-14906, ‘Cripes A’ Mighty, 328th FS
Little Friends.co.uk
Of course, if it were me, I’d wait for a new kit from Hasegagme… but that’s just me… [;)]
Fade to Black…
Hello,
What 1/48 scale kit would be the best P-51D with the fin fillet?
Thanks ,George
George, it’s a toss-up between the Hasegawa and Tamiya kits.
Each has its pros and cons of course, but my personal pick would be Tamiya. Having built both, I can say that the Tamiya kit was a quicker build with fewer quirks. And it gives the option of dropped flaps, which was common on the real deal when sitting on the ground. I do prefer certain areas of the Hasegawa kit, namely the cockpit and canopy, but Tamiya’s P-51D would still be my choice.
There are at least four other 48th kits of the P-51D out there… Monogram (boxed by Revell these days), Revell (the original Revell kit, not reboxed Monogram), Otaki/Arii, and Fujimi. I’ve built all but the Fujimi kit, and none of them hold a candle to Hasegawa or Tamiya.
Fade to Black…
I haven’t built any of the 1/48 scale Mustang kits listed by BlackWolf other than the current Revellogram kits (Big Beautiful Doll cover art). It turned out ok, as far as I’m concerned. I even built it as a 352nd bird - John Meyer’s Petie 3rd.
Some filler and sanding is required but nothing really excessive. The only real problem was encountered around the intake for the radiator under the fuselage but it was fixed with a bit of putty and elbow grease. Model Master Cobalt Blue for the nose and rudder over Alclad II White Aluminum. Builds up nicely at 1/3 - 1/2 the cost of a Tamiya or Hasegawa kit, althought it doesn’t have the level of interior detail that I’m sure the Tamigawa kit does - nor the separate flaps. Here’s the Revellogram kit with a small painting error around the front windscreen…
I’m with Steve, go for the Tamiya kit. Nice easy build.
Thad