Accurate Miniatures 1/48 P-51A Mustang, previewed by Scott Van Aken

Accurate Miniatures 1/48 P-51A Mustang

KIT #:	3402
PRICE:	$
DECALS:	One option
REVIEWER:	Scott Van Aken
NOTES:	1994 tooling

On 23 June 1942, a contract was placed for 1,200 P-51As (NA-99s). The P-51A used the new Allison V-1710-81 engine, a development of the V-1710-39, driving a 10 ft 9 in (3.28 m)-diameter three-bladed Curtiss-Electric propeller. The armament was changed to four .50 in (12.7 mm) Browning machine guns, two in each wing, with a maximum of 350 rounds per gun (rpg) for the inboard guns and 280 rpg for the outboard. Other improvements were made in parallel with the A-36, including an improved, fixed air duct inlet replacing the movable fitting of previous Mustang models and the fitting of wing racks able to carry either 75 or 150 US gal (62 or 125 imp gal; 280 or 570 L) drop tanks, increasing the maximum ferry range to 2,740 mi (4,410 km) with the 150 US gal (120 imp gal; 570 L) tanks. The top speed was raised to 409 mph (658 km/h) at 10,000 ft (3,000 m). The USAAF received 310 and the RAF 50 (as the Mustang II) before production converted to producing the Merlin-powered P-51B.

This is the second Allison powered Mustang produced by Accurate Miniatures. The company wisely produced the kit so that only minimal changs were needed between variants. What this means is that the nose is separate from the rest of the fuselage. It also means that it is fairly easy to include the different wings as needed.

AM provides a nice cockpit with a curved floor as on the real deal. A decal is provided for the main instrument panel. Not a fan of clear instrument panels, but there you are. There are additional pieces to fill out the inside of the fuselage. The builder is provided with weighted wheels if you want to use them. There are underwing racks for drop tanks. In terms of the main canopy section, a bulged option is provided, though I'm not sure that option would be appropriate for the decal option. However, it is there if you are using aftermarket markings.

Instructions are on a single folded piece of paper. A written construction sequence is given. The construction drawings are a little basic and looks like they were hand drawn. A separate sheet provides a number of paint options. The lone markings option is shown on the box art and is with the 311th FG in Burma during 1944.

Though Accurate Miniatures is no more, this kit has been reboxed by both Italeri and Academy. It is also fairly easy to find in the second-hand market. If you like early Mustangs, this is your best bet.

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