Tamiya 61042 - 1/48 Scale North American P-51B Mustang Model Kit - Heritage fighter model  [61042]

Background on the North American P-51B

The P-51B Mustang became a defining fighter of the Second World War because of its improved speed and range. The early Mustangs used Allison engines and the P-51A Apache evolved from the RAF's Mustang I, which performed ground attack and reconnaissance tasks. The installation of the Merlin engine was the game changer, the same family of engines that powered the Hurricane and Spitfire.

In September 1940 the Packard Motor Company in Detroit began licensed production of the Merlin V-1650-1, later developing the V-1650-3 fitted into the first P-51B airframes. That upgrade turned the Mustang into an effective long-range escort. The XP-51B first appeared on November 30, 1942, featuring a redesigned coolant radiator scoop that improved top speed by around 50 mph and increased operational ceiling by about 10,000 feet. Production totaled 3,788 aircraft.

What the Tamiya 1/48 kit offers

Tamiya's 1/48 P-51B kit is aimed at modellers who want an accurate representation with neat panel lines and well-engineered parts. The kit includes period-accurate decals and parts organised for a clean build, letting you produce a display-quality Mustang once painted and detailed.