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P-51 Mustang
"North Africa"
Academy, 1/72 scale
S u m m a r y
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|
Catalogue Number: |
Academy 12401 - P-51
Mustang "North Africa" |
|
Scale: |
1/72 |
| Contents and
Media: |
43
very nicely moulded light grey plastic parts on two sprues,
7 clear parts on one sprue, decals for two aircraft, 125 x
215 mm fold-out instructions with history, build diagrams,
parts plan and paint/decal drawings. There is also a 1/72
Willys Jeep with 44 plastic parts on two sprues, no clear
parts and decals on the A/C sheet. |
| Price: |
Unknown at this stage |
| Review Type: |
FirstLook |
| Advantages: |
A long over due model
with better accuracy than Italeri’s example and easier build
than MPM’s with as much detail. |
| Disadvantages: |
No dropped flaps, no
open canopy option, Jeep has accuracy problems but could
still built with some extra work. |
|
Recommendation: |
Highly Recommended |
Reviewed by Glen Porter
HyperScale is proudly supported by
Squadron.com
Well, it’s about time! However it’s been
worth the wait.
Academy's 1/72 scale P-51 is beeeeeautiful.
The biggest fault with Academy's previously
released 1/72 scale P-51B and C Mustang kits was the windscreen being
too long. This was not a major fault by any means. In fact a lot of
people were willing to put up with it. Even so, I am glad to say that
Academy has fixed it although they haven’t included an option to pose
the canopy open. This, also, is not a major gripe as it would be fairly
easy to cut it open or you may be able to use the B/C item.
I compared this kit with the P-51B/C kit
and the first thing I noticed is that the engraving is much finer. Not
that the ‘B’ kit was bad, just that this one is better. Also, the ‘B’
wing could probably be fitted to this kit to produce a British Mk I or
II. It would take a little bit extra work as they’re not quite the same
but it’s definitely possible.
Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:
The cockpit comes complete with sidewall
detail, nice seat and instrument panel, low mounted radios and accurate
camera. Unlike the MPM model, you get optional open or closed radiator
outlet with a radiator matrix inside. The cannon shrouds are more
tapered than the MPM/ Special Hobby kit and the cannon barrels them
selves, are far superior.
The flaps on these Academy kits are not
hard to drop as they come on both top and bottom halves of the wing.
Some companies mould the flap all on the top half and this makes it much
harder to cut out. Still, I wish they would cater for dropped flaps in
their moulding as they did in their P-51D kit.
The decals only cater for two aircraft,
both USAAF in North Africa. However, the British also used this
aircraft, as the Mustang Mk I A. Hopefully Academy will later bring out
the British Mk I and Mk II with alterations to the wings and fuselage.
The Jeep? Well, what can I say? It’s the
same as in the airfield vehicle kit accept it doesn’t come with a clear
windscreen, although it does come with a “follow me” sign. I know the
USAAF used these in bomber squadrons but I’m not sure whether they did
in fighters. Unfortunately this jeep has many inaccuracies but could
still be used with some extra work. Personally I would rather use the
Airfix/Heller one.
Well, here it is. You’ve been lamenting
that there were no good early Mustangs on the market for so long and now
there is. So, go out and buy five or more and make Mr Academy happy!
Most definitely Recommended.
Review Text Copyright © 2004 by Glen Porter
Images Copyright © 2004 by Brett Green
Page Created 27 December, 2004
Last updated 27 December, 2004
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