Completed Plastic Models: Revell of Germany 1/72 North American P-51B Mustang

     There isn’t much that can be said about the North American P-51 Mustang that hasn’t been said, it has entered into legendary status since WWII as a powerful escort fighter for bombing raids made by the Americans. It saw service in the European theater and in the Pacific theater and after WWII it still proved to be useful in the early conflicts of the Korean War. It is in a league of fast and very maneuverable fighters along with the P-47, Hellcat, and Corsair.

     This completed model is molded by Revell of Germany and was built from the box with no added aftermarket parts, only small decals from Warbird Decals for kill markings. I don’t recall any majorly bad fitting issues with the parts and the decals needed very little convincing to fit on to the surface of the kit. The aircraft is painted and marked for Col. “Tex” Hill with the 26^th fighter squadron, 51^st fighter group in Kunming, China in 1945. When flying this aircraft Col. “Tex” Hill was credited with six kills, so I only put four kill markings to represent the airplane in active service. It was painted with Tamiya Olive Drab 2, the first time I have used their olive drab and was very pleased with the result of the finish, and Tamiya light grey primer for the neutral grey underside. For the first time, I tried out Tamiya’s TS-13 clear and loved it. The glossy smooth finish it creates is great for decaling and the model was finished with Testor’s dullcoat and then weathered with Tamiya weathering kits.

   

     I enjoyed the model and the like the results I got with the building process, it is my first time doing the legendary P-51 and I have always preferred the “B” model compared to the bubble top “D” model of the Mustang. I hope you enjoy the photos! TRWBM.