Tamiya 61044 1/48 North American F-51D Mustang historian series model kit  [61044]

Role and legacy of the F-51D Mustang

The North American F-51D Mustang has a storied place in aviation history, beginning with design dates in April 1940. The US Army Air Corps labelled it the P-51, while the British operating forces called it the "Mustang." The P-51D variant, identifiable by its bubble canopy, is commonly regarded as the definitive model and saw more than 9,603 machines produced.

Armed with six .50 caliber machine guns, arranged as three per wing, the Mustang provided concentrated offensive capability. Underwing hardpoints accepted auxiliary fuel tanks or 1,000-pound bombs, broadening mission profiles. The aircraft continued service after WWII and into the Korean conflict, where its handling and visibility were appreciated in liaison roles even though the liquid-cooled powerplant had operational limits.