ArmaHobby P-51 B/C Mustang (70038) 1:72 ARMA Hobby Expert Set

[Julien]

 P-51 B/C Mustang (70038)

1:72 ARMA Hobby Expert Set

 

 

Originally developed to fulfil a British requirement for new fighter aircraft, the unmistakable North American P-51 Mustang famously went from drawing board to first flight in just 178 days. It went on to become one of the most famous and successful aircraft of the Second World War.  Transformed by the addition of Rolls Royce’s legendary Merlin engine, the Mustang went from strength to strength and was eventually developed into several variants. Even though the D model is the most recognised the earlier models were still great aircraft. The B & C were the first to use the Merlin engine which gave better performance over 15000 ft. They were known in RAF service as the Mustang III. The B models were built at Inglewood and the C models which were identical were built in Dallas. The RAF decided that the original hinged canopy did not offer enough visibility for operations and the British corporation R Malcolm & Co designed a sliding bulged canopy for the aircraft which then became known as the Malcom Hood. The search for better all round visibility would lead to the later P-51D, however some pilots are said to have preferred the Malcom hooded P-51B/D than the later P-51D as it was lighter and had better handling, one of the downsides was only 4 guns as opposed to the D's six. Exiting the B/C in an emergency was also said to be easier than the D.

 

The Kit

This is a new tool kit from ARMA Hobby which seems to have garnered good reviews. It really also was time we had a new tool B/C in 1/72. The kit arrives on two main sprues, a clear sprue, a sheet of PE and canopy masks (not shown). The quality of the parts is first rate, all surfaces feature fine engraved panel lines, there is a great deal of moulded in detail in the fuselage and main wheel wells. There are two choices of tail featuring the small fillet tail, and the one with no fillet. Bombs and two types of drop tanks are provided for the wings.

 

 

Due to the different options being provided from the kit its worth while checking the instructions for these before starting work. Construction starts in the cockpit. The frame for the seat is added to the floor and the seat is fitted. Belts are provided as PE with decals on top. The fuel tank is fitted behind the seat with the radios going on top. Two of the decal options dont have this tank and that is also shown in the instructions. The control column is added in front of the seat and then the instrument panel and its coaming are built up. Instruments are provided as decals. Work then moves to the inside of the fuselage parts with more decals being added. If the Recon version is to be made then holes for the cameras need to be made. The main radiator is made up and this can be installed in the right fuselage half, along with additional controls and the tail wheel parts. More parts are also fitted into the left fuselage half. Once done the tail wheel and cockpit can be installed and the fuselage closed up.

 

 

 

Moving onto the wings the wing spar part is installed along with parts for the wheel well. These are added into upper wing, and the two wing parts can be assembled. The separate flaps can then be installed. The wings can then be mated to the fuselage. At the rear of the fuselage the tail and sailplanes can be added, a finless and filleted tails are provided for the different decal options. The main landing gear can then be made up and fitted. At the front the chin intake, propeller and exhaust are added. Different plates/vents are provided for the lower engine cowl. For the spine different antennas are also provided for the different options. Different canopies are provided for the model. If the normal canopy is to be opened then the modeler has the option for this. A slightly larger Malcom hood is supplied for the slid back option. Lastly bombs or drop tanks can be fitted to the wings as needed. 

 

 

 

Markings

There are printed by Techmod so should pose no problems. 7 marking option are provided for the kit;

 

1. P-51B "Ding Hao" Major Howard, 356th Fighter Sqn, 354th Fighter Group, Boxted UK, April 1944
2. F-6C "Azel/Boomerang" 162nd Recon Sqn, 10th Photographic Recon Group, Chalgrove, UK 1944
3. Mustang III, CV-C 3 Sqn RAAF, Cervia, Italy, 1945
4. Mustang III, "Barbra Jurek"  F-C-F KH516, Captain Mencel DFC, 309 Sqn (Polish) RAF, April 1945
5. P-51C "Evalina" 1st Lt Strawbridge, 26th Fighter Sqn, 51st Fighter Group, China 1945
6. P-51C "My Pal Snookie" Lt Pawlak, 282nd Fighter Sqn, 363rd Fighter Group, France, July 1944
7. Option 5 but captured by the Japanese after landing due to technical failure, Japan 1945

 

 

Conclusion

It is great to see this important aircraft being kitted by a new manufacturer.  The kit seems to have been very well received by modellers. Very Highly recommended.

 

 

Review sample courtesy of

[Andre B]

Mmm...

Some builders have noticed sinkmarks on the fuselage sides outside of cockpit. Probably because "the boxes" on the cockpit sides...

 

Cheers / André  

[Dave Swindell]

1 hour ago, Andre B said:

Mmm...

Some builders have noticed sinkmarks on the fuselage sides outside of cockpit. Probably because "the boxes" on the cockpit sides...

 

Cheers / André  

Yes, on the stbd side, but it's very minor, you don't really see it unless you're looking for it. 

A coat of mr surfacer over the affected area and a quick sand will sort it if it bothers you.

[Andre B]

6 hours ago, Dave Swindell said:

Yes, on the stbd side, but it's very minor, you don't really see it unless you're looking for it. 

A coat of mr surfacer over the affected area and a quick sand will sort it if it bothers you.

 

https://www.ipmsstockholm.se/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=12339&start=10

[Dave Swindell]

11 hours ago, Andre B said:

 

https://www.ipmsstockholm.se/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=12339&start=10

Like I said, very minor and easily filled if it bothers you.

[Andre B]

55 minutes ago, Dave Swindell said:

Like I said, very minor and easily filled if it bothers you.

 

Does it bother you that I mentioned it? Should it been kept as a secret?

[Dave Swindell]

3 minutes ago, Andre B said:

 

Does it bother you that I mentioned it? Should it been kept as a secret?

Not at all, they're there if you look for them, but they're not the massive divots that most people would associate with sink marks, just trying to keep things in perspective

Nice build in the link BTW

[Julien]

Well thats that established, perhaps we can now leave it and move on.