Review By: Julian Seddon (August 2011)
I have laid off model making due to travel commitments over the last few months. During that time Geoff promised I could build this Mustang. Well, he has kept his promise and the box arrived a couple of days ago.
Update: See Julian’s completed build in Finished Now
If this doesn’t get you in the mood – nothing will!
Now, what about this new Tamiya 1:32 kit? Here’s 18 close-up images of the box contents to whet your appetite!
Gallery Grid
Click on Image to Enlarge/go back.
What a treat!
I have built the 1:24th Trumpeter Mustang and found that to be OK, but had a problem with the size of the engine. You can see the end result of this in the Subscriber’s Gallery.
There is no model maker who is not aware of the Mustang and apart from saying that it was an efficient, long range and beautiful warhorse. It may be recalled that Goering, in seeing one of these over Berlin, uttered that the war was lost. Their range enabled them to curtail the devastating losses suffered by the USAF. They were able to cover them over the duration of the raid.
Initial Assessment
It is presented in a colourful box that could be a good reference for painting. The box is full of bags of sprues that beg for a closer look. There is a little box at the end containing the thinned engine cowlings (like their Spitfire) and the clear parts, which look superb.
On a quick appraisal it is the best Mustang kit that I, for one, have ever seen.
The Sprues
I have photographed all the sprues (see the gallery grid above) and have tried to do close-ups of all the issues that have been contentious prior to the release of this kit. Of course the most written about is the rivet count.
Well, have a look at the upper wing parts – they are hardly dug too deep into the surface. In fact if you don’t want them a coat of primer will reduce them to virtually nil. But at least they are there for you to make the choice.
The Highlights
There are a lot of highlights in this kit. These include:
- The delicacy of the mouldings – have a look at the little knobs moulded into the instrument panel
- The cockpit parts leave little to add by the aftermarket companies
- The undercarriage bay, with careful painting, will look unbelievably good. That is to say you won’t believe it isn’t the real thing!
The Decals
Both of the aircraft depicted are in Natural metal. This is not to everyone’s taste, so this is an area where the aftermarket is already offering great alternatives. Hannants even offer RAF versions, which is another version I shall construct alongside this build-up (watch out in Build Now – that will also be in here too over the coming weeks).
Instructions
These look good, though I will comment on these as I build.
A nice booklet is included with reference pictures of a Mustang – this coupled with many other sources will see that even the most demanding modeller is resourced (take a look in your Photo Reference Library too for a great internal and external walkaround of the P-51D).
Not much to watch out for, but…
Only some ejector pin marks in areas that are not critical. The few that will show will be very easy to remove with some delicate sanding.
I don’t really like moveable flaps, but there are pins supplied to make them workable – these can be fiddly.
Rubber tyres: I’m not keen on these; I am sure that others are already available but I’ve not yet enquired.
There is a sprue with figures on it which looks more like an old Airfix sprue! I don’t put figures in my models generally though, so it doesn’t worry me. For a pilot seated in the plane it is probably adequate, but a standing figure will not look very convincing.
Conclusion
Wow, I can’t wait to get to work on it!
Julian S.