1/72 Italeri P.51A  Mustang

Gallery Article by Paolo De Sanctis on June 28 2010

 

The aircraft: no account is necessary to display the probably best piston-engined fighter of W.W.2; before her successful marriage with the famous horse-breed Rolls-Royce Merlin, early versions were fitted with the honest and reliable Allison unit. This engine, which powered many first generation U.S.A.'s fighters like the P.39 and P.40, allowed them to be  very well worth in the of low level ground support role. P.51As were used in North Africa, Italian and Far East theatres.

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The model:  this Italeri kit is a real pleasure to build.  The plastic is sturdy, the parts go together very well, the canopy is very good, like the decals sheet as well. There are two options, the USAAC one and an RAF machine. The interiors are very complete, so I could built it straight from the box. Two stores are provided, bombs or drop tanks. The interiors, the gear door and its legs were painted in Interior Green 34151, Humbrol H.151;  instruments panel and radio were painted in black H.33 and the seat in 34092 (HB.1/30); uppersurfaces were sprayed in Olive Drab 41 (faded) FS 34088 (Humbrol Hu.2/155), unders were sprayed in Neutral Grey 43 FS 36173 (Humbrol 128). Due its "use in North Africa", the model was well weathered: I used a black oil colour for all the panels, inside if wheels bays, etc. and pastels for smokes (engine stains and guns).

The decals are very good and come without transparent base contours! they adhere very well and are of good quality. With this model - the latest of my works, dated back some days ago - I'realized a 154th U.S. ARMY  TAC. (recon) Sqn. machine which flew in Tunisia during 1943. 

I' hope you like this my little job; many greeting to all the ARC friends!

Paolo De Sanctis

Photos and text © by Paolo De Sanctis