Live from Telford: New Airfix 1/48 P-51D Mustang – sprue preview
Another big news from Airfix at the Telford snow was the 1/48 scale P-51D Mustang. Do we need another Mustang kit in this scale you might ask? Well of course we do...! It looks impressive on the sprues and is apparently nearly production-ready. It also features seeminhly manh options - all types of drop tanks, underwing stores, separate fin fillet, separate parts for in-flight pose with closed landing gear. Two types of canopy are provided, with single hood part and windscreens moulded integrally with an adjacent fuselage panel for seamless assembly.
Like the ither new Airfix releases, the design of this kit was laser-scanned from a full-size original.
28 additional images. Click to enlarge.
Is it too much to hope they will reprise their original 1/24 scale blue nose "This is it" on the colour/decal options ,if you read this Airfix pleeeze!
N.
I'm sure folks will be comparing this kit to the new release Meng kit. Which has been labeled the "Best" P-51 in 1/48 scale. Is the plastic canopy molded into the metal frame so that we have a one piece canopy? Instead of a two piece canopy with a separate clear plastic part that is glued to lower metal canopy frame? Two, the wind screen frame ...does it include some of the cowling like Meng's version? I don't see any clear trees or pieces on the sprue photos.
You're a hard-hearted man, Mr Towle. ? I think I took a photo on my 'ramblings' of the Meng offering laid out sprue by sprue. If Martin can't get back to Airfix stand I'll have a look tomorrow and let you know (back at the hotel now with a beer).
I'm wondering if Airfix bothered to include the Dallas or Inglewood canopies again like the Meng kit. I'm not hard heart ...Inquiring minds need to know.:) I'm wondering what the asking price will be too.
I see your point. Can't remember if there was a clear sprue on display but if there was, I'll add a photo of it tomorrow.
Stephen, Martin, I've added a couple of photos to the end of the 'ramblings 6' that give a better idea of the sprue. Retail £20.
Thanks Rob! I was also able to make a few additonal photos, showing the two canopies included (with single-piece hood and windcreen moulded integrally with the panel in fornt of it). Hope this helps
Guess I'll have to add this one to the wish list as well.
Separate fin fillet! I'll need two of these then.
Airfix just gets better and better. This and the Ju-87 are the two really interesting releases you've shown. Hard to believe that the Tamiya kit is 21 years old now.
Plus I noticed an actual wingspar (derailed0 on the sprues next to the closed doors piece...indicates and actual accurate wheel well is probably in there...
Yet another P-51D in 1:48th scale- It looks good and yes I will most likely buy/build one BUT...Could somebody PLEASE produce an accurate 1:32nd P-51A or B?! Thanks Martin for posting the pics.
Take another look at the Clear sprue - there is a second windscreen and a blank area next to it... That second winscreen looks a lot like an early model so mignt the blank area be for a early canopy?
Looks like a winner to me. Like Spitfires, you can't have too many Mustangs!
that looks amazing. are you sure its an airfix kit? 😉