Tamiya 60754 1/72 North American F-51D Mustang Korean War Fighter Model  [60754]

F-51D Mustang: Korean War Overview

The North American F-51D Mustang has its origins in a hurried 1940 sketch from a New York hotel. The U.S. Army Air Corps labelled it the P-51 while the Royal Air Force popularised the Mustang name. The D variant, recognised by its bubble canopy, was the most widely produced, reaching a total of 9,603 aircraft.

Fitted with six .50 caliber machine guns and able to carry drop tanks or a 1000lb bomb beneath the wings, the Mustang was both a fighter and a strike platform. After World War II the type continued service around the globe, and during the Korean War the F-51D excelled at low-altitude tasks alongside forward air controllers, where its handling made a difference.

Nonetheless, the liquid-cooled engine layout was a liability when facing ground fire on close support missions. Records indicate 194 Mustangs were lost over three years in Korea, with only 10 losses from aerial combat. These historical points are valuable when planning markings, weathering and damage for a faithful build.