P-51C Mustang Mk III Model Kit
Second edition of the still pretty fresh 1:72 P-51B/C Mustang from Arma Hobby. The same plastic sprues, but now without any photoetched details and masks. Want to know more?
Disclaimer
The review sample was kindly provided by the manufacturer. Thanks, Arma Hobby.
The box
Since there are no extras, we are obviously talking about a kit issued in the “Model Kit” line (cat. no. 70039), which is indicated by the characteristic graphic layout of the box.
Inside you will find the necessary ingredients to build a miniature – two injection-moulded sprues made of light grey plastic, one transparent, decals and an instruction booklet.
The mouldings are exactly the same as in the “Expert” set released a few months back (see review), hence a good portion of the following overview may seem oddly familiar.
Plastic
Let's start with the fuselage, which in its two-piece form occupies the largest sprue of the kit.
The clearly defined grid of delicate, recessed panel lines makes a very good first impression, which is slightly spoiled by the manufacturer's approach to the riveting. Details of this nature can be found only in selected areas of the model and there is only a handful of them on the fuselage.
Lots more access panels pins and details of this type, quite fine by the way, most of which have gathered in the engine cowling area. Sharp inspection panels, visible in somewhat problematic areas, also draw attention.
Some shortcomings are also present, like the not connected panel lines just behind the wing-fuselage fairing. On both sides.
There is some unnecessary asymmetry as well – look at the bottom air intake cover, where on one side there is a panel line, but on the other isn’t. Interestingly, in the initial pre-production renders both lines were clearly visible, so we have a situation similar to that in the recently released PZL P.11c (see review).
To discuss other imperfections, one must first take a look at the interior of the fuselage, which is by no means empty.
The internal structure is indicated in the tailwheel bay area.
The additional fragment is modelled together with the bay covers (parts 23 and 24). The wheel itself (25), moulded with the strut, looks quite nice.
Cockpit area features a fuselage structure extending into the radio compartment and equipment details reproduced directly on the inner surfaces.
On the left side those are supplemented by a module containing such things as trim controls and landing gear release levers (4), and a tiny engine control panel with levers (6).
On the right side only the oxygen installation (3) is attached separately, as there are more details reproduced directly on the fuselage part.
Which unfortunately leads to minor sinkmarks, also visible on the external surface.
This problem occurs only on one side of the body. On the left half (where there is far less detail inside) the flaws are absent.
Vertical stabilizer, designed as a whole with the rudder, is available in two versions (by the way, I would like to draw your attention to the delicate, raised rivets in the lower part of this element – keeping those intact will be quite a challenge, due to the proximity of the inlet channel). Just one of them, however, should interest us in this edition.
The situation is similar with the two horizontal stabilisers present on the sprues, of which only the one without the aerodynamic fin should be used. It is also a good idea to make some elevator balance lines thicker – just compare it with the vertical stabilizer.
The openings in the front section of the fuselage are indicative of its versatility.
The correct panels should be glued into them, matching the particular machine. On the frames you will find three variants (13-18), but according to the instructions, this time only one of them should be taken into account.
One of the box painting options require the oil breathing exit hole to be drilled – two possible positions are marked on the inside of the fuselage left half (one a little more, the other a little less) and the manual suggests using the lower one.
The selected markings will also determine the engine exhausts used. We get two variants in the set, both of which will look better with drilled ends.
Choices also await us in the cabin, which is supported by a pretty nice looking floor. What's interesting is that the underside of the part features not only ejector pins marks, but also some details visible in the finished miniature through the landing gear bay.
Pilot's seat is also one of those elements that should match the selected painting option. The kit includes a one-piece Schick-Johnson seat (1).
And a Warren McArthur one, consisting of two elements (2, 3).
Whichever solution is chosen, must be installed on the same frame with armour plate (9, 10).
The control stick (30), which looks quite good in its plastic form, will also come in handy.
Meanwhile the instrument panel causes some mixed feelings. On the one hand, the surface details are very nice; on the other, the central part has been reproduced as raised, while it is actually located deeper than the surrounding surface.
If you are O.K. with that, you can insert the panel into the cover (6) – pins and slots on both parts will ensure that it is seated correctly.
The rectangular socket at the back of the board is intended for the part with rudder controls (4), which draws attention with a small North American Aviation logo and the inscription “DEPRESS PEDAL TO RELEASE PARKING BRAKE”, or at least something quite similar.
Space behind the pilot's seat won’t be empty – an additional fuel tank (12) should be installed there, supplemented with an indicator (13).
Radio equipment rack (14) goes just above it.
On which we will of course mount the hardware itself (7, 8, 15).
One of the paint options requires also an antenna (34).
Before closing the fuselage, the underside air intake and oil cooler need to be addressed, starting with rather unfortunately marked (guess the number) ceiling part.
The radiator (29) looks very nice, at least from one side (according to the instructions that's the rear). Nothing was provided for the hollow front this time (in the “Expert” there was a photo-etched mesh).
Only after gluing the bottom part (30), the whole thing can be enclosed in the fuselage.
Then at least partially obstructed with suitable flaps (31, 32).
Front of the inlet is supplied as a separate piece (27). The same goes for the carburettor intake opening (36), located under the propeller.
Propeller which you get in one-piece form, so you won't have to worry about the correct positioning of the blades.
At the back, you will find the tabs that correspond with the slots at the base of the spinner (20).
Spinner, which also has adequate features.
The propeller's rotation is to be ensured by a small component (22) which should be mounted without glue.
Let's move on to the wing which is divided into two parts. The upper surfaces feature, just like the fuselage, fine panel lines, some rivets and other recessed details.
The bottom surfaces look similar, except that there is far more rivets here.
Particularly in the middle section, where an attempt has been made to show the worn down, corrugated plating, which doesn't quite convince me.
It looks better on the flaps which are made as separate parts, where you can see both recessed and raised rivets.
I don't like at all how the position and signal lights (the three on the underside of the wing) have been reproduced. Transparent elements would be much more appropriate here.
Some mixed feelings are caused by the ceiling of the main landing gear bay, moulded on the inside of the upper half of the wing. On the one hand very nice, delicate, raised rivets. On the other, you can see traces left around the holes (and not only here), probably by milling cutter.
The bay will be built using several other parts (26, 27, 28, 29), also nicely riveted.
Similar treatment was given to the bay inner covers, at least on one side.
Outer ones on the other hand are far less interesting.
Just like the landing gears struts.
On which of course the wheels will be placed – which at first glance looks very nice, although it is a pity that there is only one version. It gets worse when you start looking at them more closely. The fact that the inscriptions (“GoodYear”) on one of the wheels are a mirror image is a detail that is not easy to see anyway.
A more serious problem is the tyre tread with mismatched lines in the middle.
As a consolation, there is a relatively wide range of available loadout, mounted on the underwing pylons.
Two types of additional fuel tanks.
And 250lb bombs.
While on the subject of armament, the wing guns with barrels designed as one-piece modules (25) should also be mentioned. On the inner surface of the wing's lower part there are suitable slots for them.
A few minor details remained, such as the Pitot tube (30) mounted under the right wing, or the rails for the sliding part of the cockpit cover (37, 38), which must be trimmed if a closed configuration is chosen.
And while we're on the subject of canopy…
Transparencies
Transparent elements are on the third, smallest, plastic sprue of the set, dominated by the cockpit glazing.
The windscreen has been designed with a section of fuselage in front of it, which should make it easier to cleanly glue it into place.
The moveable section is available in several variants. Early type in closed position.
The same, but opened, where the tilted upper segment was merged with the side window.
And the Malcolm type, in two versions – depending on whether you want to have the cover in the open or closed position.
There are also side windows with a thin border (which does not change the fact that you have to be very careful when sticking them in).
The multitude of available options and the protection of the sprue with an additional ziplock bag are welcome. Let alone the excellent transparency of relatively thin elements.
Decals
The included decal sheet, printed by Techmod, is perhaps not overwhelming in size, but makes a pretty good first impression.
The print is clear and the colours saturated and uniform.
The only flaw I was able to spot is a slight shift of the light red colour, best seen on the shark's jaw.
Alongside the identification markings there is also a variety of decals for the cockpit interior.
Even the nameplates for the radio equipment (marked with the letter R).
The sheet also include a whole bunch of small stencils – and not just for airframe, but for additional fuel tanks and bombs too.
Printed pilot harnesses is definitively less impressive, but there are no alternatives in the box.
Two sets of the seatbelts are supplied, just as the instrument panel indicators.
Manual
The accompanying booklet is a subtle evolution of the usual format, already known from the “Expert” set. The drawings feature more shades which indicate the colours of the surfaces in question.
The manual in the first edition of Mustang could be overwhelming due to the multitude of diagrams, explanations and choices presented to the modeller. The latter are far less numerous here, which is reflected in clearer assembly drawings.
The renderings and numerous comments can be helpful at critical points of construction.
The table of suggested paints includes numbers from Hataka (Orange Line), AK Interactive (Real Colors), Lifecolor, AMMO, Humbrol, Vallejo and Tamiya.
The paint schemes, as usual in colour, also include directions for the arrangement of the main markings.
Stencils are shown on the separate drawing.
Painting options
“Model Kit” not only means no extras, but also a smaller selection of paint schemes prepared by the manufacturer. We get two options. P-51C-1-NT, 42-103532, FB382/PK-G, 315 Squadron PAF, pilot: S/Ldr Eugeniusz Horbaczewski, Coolham, June 1944 r.
Kit painting option (Arma Hobby)P-51C-1-NT, 42-103258, FB328/GA-S, 112 Squadron RAF, airport Iesi, July-November 1944.
Kit painting option (Arma Hobby)I’m obviously glad to see Polish option, but the shark-mouthed P-51 also looks quite interesting.
Summary
If you don't need masks and consider photoetched parts as an overkill – this is the edition for you. Even without the extras it is still a very good starting point for building a 72nd scale miniature of the famous Mustang. In fact, despite a few minor shortcomings, the best you can get in this size.
MMXXII