Profile Photo
Joe Caputo
154 articles

Pegasus 1/48 E-Z Snapz P-51B (Tuskeegee)

March 25, 2014 · in Aviation · · 7 · 2.1K

Pegasus E-Z Snapz P-51B (Tuskeegee) is the kit, to which was added Eagle Strike Checkertail Clan decals.

I was watching "Checkertails Parts 1 & 2- a Documentary by Neil "Mysticpuma" Pugh, on YouTube. It was a very well done, 4 hour presentation. At about 40:32 into part 2, I noticed a P-51B with the name "Carol", taking off. I thought this was an opportunity to score points with my wife, of the same name. I didn't want to spend a lot of time on it, so I opted for the 1/48 Pegasus Snapz kit. The fuel tanks didn't match the picture, but I proceeded. It went together ok, for a "snap-tite", with a little filling. It's seemed a little "bulky"in the landing gear, I presume to keep young hands from breaking essential parts. There is a "gear up" option, for those younger pilots.

I invested in some aftermarket decals rather than try to paint my own checkers. The Eagle Strike decals were faultless, a pleasure to work with. There were enough markings for several aircraft, but only enough "checkers" for one version of either the B or D models.

Unfortunately except for that brief glimpse of "Carol", I had no references as to any other markings, and so, just left it. Perhaps in the future, I'll come up with more information. I won't say it was the most enjoyable build I've done, but it suited the purpose. I retrospect, I probably would prefer the old re-release, in the same price range, but a "quick build" was the idea.

Reader reactions:
8  Awesome

7 additional images. Click to enlarge.


7 responses

  1. I love the story, Joe, I hope your wife of the same name (how many wives do you have?) liked the model. As you say, a nice, clean and quick build.

  2. Nice Clean Build Joe,
    you cant go wrong with a Pegasus kit for a quick and cheap model it looks great

  3. That's one sharp looking p-51!

  4. Nice P 51 Joe, I see you got your brownie points then?

  5. I've actually heard some nice thing about these kits. I didn't get one because it was a snap together, but maybe I'll give a Pegasus kit a try! Yours doesn't seem very toylike like one would expect! A quick question about the tanks. I've heard that style was made of a type of waxed paper or cardboard, is this true?

    • Josh, this is my 2nd Pegasus build. Somewhere on this site, you'll see my Pegasus FW 190, which was part of our clubs group build a while back. (I added a float.) While I preferred the 190, I thought they were both pretty decent, and one of the best "snap tite" kits available. I have no idea where the "wax paper or cardboard" came from. I won't say it's the finest styrene, but it works like any other plastic. All in all I think it's a great starter kit, though it lacks some of the finer detail of the more expensive ones.

  6. Joe,
    Very nice. Interesting about these kits.

Leave a Reply