Jump to content

1/48 - North American P-51D/F-51D & Mustang lV/P-51K by Airfix - released


Homebee

Recommended Posts

A 1/48th N.A. P-51D Mustang.

More tomorrow.

Source: https://www.facebook.com/officialairfix/posts/10154504386816271:0

 

Quote

You’ll probably want to read Workbench tomorrow if you’re a fan on 1:48 2017 announcements! In the meantime though, here’s a little clue…

http://www.airfix.com/uk-en/news/workbench

 

No automatic alt text available.

 

Oh no. I would have preferred... (blablabla)

:P

 

For the record:

Meng soon to release new tool P-51D: http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235009127-148-north-american-p-51d-mustang-by-meng-box-artcads-release-2016/

Eduard 1/48th Mustang family in project... http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234974169-148-north-american-p-51-mustang-family-long-term-project-by-eduard/

HobbyBoss recent easy assembly Mustang: http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234922415-p-51d-mustang-iv-hobby-boss-148/

etc.

https://www.scalemates.com/search-solr.php?fkSECTION[]=Kits&q=North+American+P-51+Mustang+P-51D+1%2F48

 

V.P.

 

Matt-Memory2.jpg

Edited by Homebee
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 minute ago, Homebee said:

 

Exactly. Proof if anyone needs it that a model company that wants to make a reliable profit does need to have certain bread and butter toolings in their range

 

Shane

  • Like 6
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes I'm sure a lot of us would like other subjects but this will sell well for Airfix. I'll may pick one up depending what they do with the kit. Would be nice if they gave us filled wing panel lines as no one seem to have done this yet. Also hope they give us some 110 gal teardrop tanks.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well a photo of a wheel well is fairly tenuous "proof" that it's going to be a D.  While I give Airfix more credit than this, it is entirely possible that the photo was simply a "representative Mustang well".  On the other hand, in terms of bottom line, a D is probably the best choice since it seems to be the most popular/recognizable "Mustang".

 

bob

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yeah...

 

Quote

Mustang – A fighting thoroughbred.

 

ImageB

Many would argue that the Mustang was the best fighter aircraft of WWII

 

Despite the many undoubted qualities of the new American high performance fighter, Britain would continue to be inextricably linked with the birth of the Mustang and were directly responsible for unlocking its full potential.  In early 1942, a Rolls Royce test pilot had flown the Mustang I and been suitably impressed with its low and medium altitude performance.  He informed his superiors that a Merlin 61 engine would transform the performance of the aircraft significantly and after much persuading, he eventually got his way.  In August 1942, the Mustang X programme saw a number of Mustang I airframes married with the Merlin engine and the result was spectacular.  Incredibly, this new combination propelled the Mustang to 441mph at 29,800ft, which was approximately 100mph faster than the Allison powered P-51A at the same altitude.  The Mustang had just come of age!

Perhaps the finest example of a WWII fighting aeroplane arrived with the introduction of the P-51D variant of the Mustang, which was the most heavily produced version of the aircraft and addressed some of the shortcomings of earlier versions.  Although the earlier razorback B and C model Mustangs were excellent fighters, they did have problems with poor rearward visibility and regularly jamming machine-guns, both of which hampered its performance as a fighter.  The D model addressed both of these issues by introducing a Plexiglas teardrop canopy, offering excellent all-round visibility and six .50 calibre machine-guns, which were mounted upright in the wings and greatly minimized the jamming issue.  Add to this one of the most advanced gun-sights to equip any WWII fighter and the P-51D Mustang was ready for action.  Starting to appear in the summer of 1944, the P-51D would allow the Mustang to build on an already successful aircraft and provide pilots with a fighter that could hunt the Luftwaffe to destruction.  Mustang pilots interviewed after the war describe how they knew the Mustang was a special aeroplane as soon as they sat in one – it just felt right.  With a two stage, twin speed supercharger, it was equally at home at altitude defending the bombers, or down on the deck looking for targets of opportunity.  Famous USAAF ace Bud Anderson said that best of all, “It went like hell”.  From a German perspective, it has been widely written that Hermann Goering reputedly proclaimed that he knew the war was lost when he saw American Mustangs flying low over Berlin, but there is no denying that Luftwaffe pilots had huge respect for the Mustang and their capable pilots.

 

Airfix take on yet another classic.

 

There can be no doubting the fact that the North American P-51D Mustang is one of the most famous aircraft of the Second World War, but it could also be argued that the shape of the Mustang is one of the most distinctive and instantly recognisable in the history of flight.  Taking on such a classic aircraft for the discerning modeller must be quite a daunting prospect for the Airfix development team, but it is a task they attack with some relish.  From the start of this 1/48th scale project, the team were determined to produce a highly accurate scale representation of this classic fighter and bring yet another impressive new model to this growing range of larger scale kits, which have become so popular.  With existing base model files for a 1/72nd scale Mustang already on the system, you may think that this latest project would have something of a head start, but unfortunately for the designers, this is not necessarily the case.  As design and manufacturing techniques continue to improve and new research data becomes available, any existing base model work is simply a reference point, with every step of the design process requiring extensive input from the lead designer on the project.

 

ImageC

Airfix research trip images featuring a restored P-51D Mustang in the UK.

 

ImageD

Just a life-size Airfix Mustang kit.

 

With regard to this new Mustang project, the research files were bolstered by the opportunity for the team to inspect a magnificently restored example of the P-51D, which at that time was one of the best loved aircraft on the UK display circuit.  This really is an important step in bringing a new model to the market and not only allows the team to check various details and measurements that will be incorporated into their tooling design work, but also to check the complex curves and shapes associated with a subject aircraft.  The ability to check cockpit detail, wheel well fittings and the distinctive laminar flow wings of the Mustang allowed the team to incorporate all this critical detail into their research files and assist the design engineer on the project to create his working CAD base model.  Once this base model has been produced, every aspect of the design can be checked and re-checked, before these files are used as a reference for all the many design processes to follow.

 

ImageE

The unmistakable lines of the North American P-51D Mustang in this CAD base model screen grab.

 

ImageF

Airfix designers at work – more magnificent Mustang base model screen grabs.

 

ImageG

 

Although the Airfix engineers are extremely proficient in converting research data into usable digital file format, modellers continue to be fascinated by the process of using computers to design and produce the highly accurate model kits we all love to construct.  Although too modest to tell you themselves, this is a highly specialised process and the designers spend many hours working on the individual components that will make up the new kit, always conscious of the injection moulding process they will be subjected to.  The scale of the model is also of vital consideration at this point, as there are defined tolerances that must be adhered to for the various scales to which models are produced and additional detail that needs to be incorporated into larger scale kits.  Importantly, despite the fact that they have produced beautifully accurate CAD representations of the classic Mustang shape, they are actually working on a construction kit, so everything has to be divided into its component parts, always aware of how each part will react with the many others around it.

 

ImageH      

A selection of base model screen grabs showing different views from the Mustang project.

 

ImageJ

 

ImageK

 

Ultimately, they need to ensure the new kit will come together in a relatively simple and logical manner, without challenging the modeller too much, whilst building into an accurate representation of the subject aircraft.  They are helped in this work by the use of parametric CAD modelling software, which is incredibly powerful and will allow them to view the model in a variety of ways, including allowing cross sections and exploded component views to be accessed – a fascinating, yet extremely labour intensive part of the design process.

 

Bringing new model announcements to life – the computer rendered 3D image.

 

As we began to develop our Workbench blog, it quickly became apparent that the images many of our readers looked forward to seeing most were the computer rendered 3D pictures of the new models we were announcing.  These appealing images certainly help us all to get an idea of what the new model will look like and as many of these projects are being announced much earlier that would usually be the case, they are also used in our catalogues and on the website to illustrate future models.  These beautiful images are also a product of the CAD modelling software available to the Airfix design team, but still require some of their creative skills before they look anything like good enough for us to use – it is most definitely not a case of pressing a button and letting the computer do the rest.  Their artistic prowess is definitely appreciated, as the computer rendered 3D images look fantastic on both our Workbench blog and when incorporated in the latest edition of the Airfix catalogue.  They help us all to see what the finished model may look like when it is eventually released and keeps us all informed on the exciting development work that is going on at Airfix.  Even though it is still relatively early in the 1/48th scale P-51D Mustang project, we hope you enjoy this selection of rendered 3D images of what will surely become one of the most popular kits in the range.

 

ImageL

The appealing computer rendered 3D images really bring the new Mustang to life.

 

ImageM

 

ImageN

 

ImageP

 

The new 1/48th Scale North American P-51D Mustang (A05131) will feature the impressive levels of detail associated with this slightly larger scale and will also incorporate a number of different build options for the modeller to consider.  As you would expect, the model will be able to be finished in either flight, or static configuration, with the latter providing the modeller with a number of alternative options, such as canopy position, flaps and undercarriage door positioning.  The kit will also allow the modeller to build different versions of the ‘D’ model Mustang, from the first machines introduced into service, to the later aircraft which featured a number of improvements - this will very much appeal to fans of this magnificent aeroplane.  There will also be a number of weapon and under-wing drop tank options available, which will allow the modeller to produce a great many of the attractive Mustang schemes we will all be familiar with.

 

ImageR

The beautiful new Mustang will be a popular subject for the modeller.

 

This exciting new 1/48th scale P-51D Mustang is due for release in August 2017 and we look forward to bringing you regular updates over the coming weeks.  To receive notification of when this Magnificent Mustang is available for pre-order, please sign up for the Airfix e-mail newsletter and be at the head of the pack.

 

V.P.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Very much looking forward to this. Given the quality of Airfix's recent releases such as the Hurricane and Spitfire, I wouldn't be surprised if this one was right up there too.

Airfix can put me down for one (possibly more).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Quote

The kit will also allow the modeller to build different versions of the ‘D’ model Mustang, from the first machines introduced into service, to the later aircraft which featured a number of improvements

 

This rather suggests that the kit will include the option for a fillet-less early 'D', which would be welcome. That, and hopefully having a better canopy frame breakdown than the Tamiya kit, would go a long way towards making the kit stand out enough to be a serious alternative.

 

J.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I hoped to be the first who posts this - but Stan beated me ;-).

 

Great News - was somehow to be expected anyway.

 

Looking Forward to another winner from Airfix!

 

Cheers,

Michael

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just now, Schweinebacke said:

Why another Mustang?  A Tempest would be more welcome I think.

because there is no new tool Mustang from Airfix existing - and it will be another top seller. I am looking Forward to it. But nevertheless, a new Tempest would be cool as well. And I am pretty sure we gone see one sooner or later too.

 

Cheers,

Michael

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hm. Did we really need another quarter scale Mustang? A Tempest Mk V, followed by her sister, a Mk II, would have been more welcome – IMHO, of course.

 

Though I suppose that a P-51D is a sure-fire seller with gazillions of markings, hopefully contributing funds for more exciting subjects.

 

Kind regards,

 

Joachim

  • Like 6
Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, boom175 said:

Great! these moneymakers will allow Airfix to continue to do more esoteric subjects like the Walrus and hopefully other less mainstream subjects in the future.

 

I agree. Furthermore, this is going to be a very popular subject over here in the US of A, especially if they make as good a job as the recent Hurricanes. They'll sell a literal boatload, and that means even more of the more unusual subjects.

 

Like a 1:24 EE Lightning. :D

 

I can dream.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, WildeSau75 said:

because there is no new tool Mustang from Airfix existing 

In fact, there isn't even an old tool by Airfix existing, the kit they started selling  some 20 years sgo is the old but still quite nice Arii nee Otaki  (sorry, no accent aigu on my phone keyboard ). Wonder when they'll translate their data into a 48th Typhoon, and Beaufighter, and Swordfish. ..but we STILL NEED 48th TEMPESTS, VAMPIRES AND VENOMS, for heaven's sake!!!

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...