The P-51 was designed in 1940 at Britain's request. The prototype was constructed within a 120-day limit. It was the Royal Air Force that bestowed the nickname "Mustang" on the type. In December 1943, P-51Bs first entered combat with the 354th Fighter Group of the 9th Air Force in England. The bulk of the P-51B/C in combat status were assigned to the 8th and 9th Air Forces in England With a lesser number doing combat chores with the 12th and 15th U.S.A.A.F′s in Italy and surrounding areas. The P-51B/C was the prime variant from December 1943 until March 1944 at which time the P-51D began to appear in quantity with the 8th A.F. However, the P-51B/C remained predominant until the middle of 1944 and remained in combat till the end of the conflict. Of the 1,357,000 combat hours flown by the P-51′s in all theatres of war, approximately 400,000 were completed by the ever present B′s and C′s.
Please see the paint guide below for Trumpeter’s suggested colors.
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Product Details:
Scale: 1/32
Parts: 356
Length: 12.2”
Wingspan: 13.9”
- Painting and assembly required
- Photo-etched parts
- 13 sprues and 3 rubber tires
- Clear parts
- Decals
- Includes instructions
- Film part
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Paint Guides:
1. P-51B-5-NA (NA.104) 43-6315, ‘Ding Hao!’, Maj. James Howard, CO 365th FG, 9th Air Force
Sky Blue
Flat Black
Silver
Neutral Grey
Field Green
Orange Yellow
Mahogany
Wood Brown
Burnt Iron
Gold
Steel or Metal Black
Interior Green
Grey
Clear Red
Clear Green
Olive Drab
Tire Black
Insignia White
2. P-51B-15NA (43-24857), 90, Sweet Clara II, 319th FS/325th FG, salvaged September 1945
Sky Blue
Flat Black
Silver
Neutral Grey
Field Green
Orange Yellow
Mahogany
Wood Brown
Burnt Iron
Gold
Steel or Metal Black
Interior Green
Grey
Insignia Red
Olive Drab
Tire Black
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