Tamiya 1:32 Mustang

[Moon Puppy]

This is a big ol' dang box man, and it's stuffed.

Magnets?? Looked over the instructions, first 6 steps are the engine alone. Magnets are used to hold in place removable panels and landing gear components so you can swap out up or down scheme.. to me, this has no value. I don't want to build a toy, I can see losing one part or another some time in the future. I may seal it up to prevent that.



Open the box and you get a really nice little clear plastic folder with color poster of the Mustang and other offerings  (I didn't even study the other side. One thing that caught my eye was the Boeing Officially Licensed Product logo.

All these engine parts!


Nuts, screws and even a little screwdriver!

Also included are some color posters, a nice little reference book, I haven't looked over it closely yet but at least it would be a nice keepsake. Two sheets of PE, canopy mask and a pretty cool metal nameplate for the base.  Like all these plastic bases, I would have liked to see something more substantial, I think the completed aircraft will be heavier than the stand making it top heavy, though it does have a wide stance. 

Looking over the instructions I see call outs on even where to apply glue and what type of glue. Tamiya has really put forth a great effort on this kit. One thing that pops out at me about the right hand panel in the cockpit. there's no IFF panel there. Now I'll admit my own ignorance and say that I do not know when the IFF panel was first used, never looked into it. But a lot of the reference stuff I have on the Mustang cites it on the right hand side towards the rear of that panel. Maybe someone can set me straight if it should be there or not. Guess all that depends on the variant you're doing.

But what I can see, you can do any variant of the D model Mustang out of this kit. What I didn't see is weapons. only the 75gal tank and 108 gal tank. No hard bombs, no rockets. Maybe later? I also see a list of parts not used according to the instructions. Future use maybe?

Well that's my initial report, I'm digging right in to this as I'm in a Mustang mood. Thanks for reading and indulging.

[CTspeedshop]

WOW!!! Awesome Kit!!!

[Quaralane]

Nice report on that.

[Eastrock]

Looking forward to your build, MP!!! This kit is way to cool!!!

[13aceofspades13]

that sure is a beautiful kit!

[Gundamhead]

Bombs and bazookas tended to be the exception. Most Mustangs only sported tanks. They stuck pretty true to fighter role while there was still a threat from enemy fighters.

[13aceofspades13]

the mustang could carry by what i understand, NOT ALL AT ONCE! 

2 75 gallon drop tanks

2 108 gallon drop tanks, (which all internal tanks full would extend its range over 2,000 miles.)

i think... 2 100LB Bombs

2 250LB Bombs

2 500LB Bombs

2 1,000LB Bombs

8 HVAR Rockets

or Bazookas

you could also mix up ordanances, add some rockets with drop tanks, or a set of bombs with rockets... yada yada ya....

as Gundamhead stated, the mustang was most commonly equipped with the 75 or 108 gallon drop tanks, beacuse its primary role during the war was Bomber escort deep into enemy territory, taking out other fighters was its typical business, and Bombs and rockets are pretty much useless for that. although beacuse of its excellent low level speed, and decent payload, it was used well as a ground attack fighter.

[ShutterAce]

Don't forget about Korea.

[Myke]

woooooa. Xmas came early.
I feel (and I trust that i'm speaking on behalf of all the Herd), that it is your duty to post every step of  your build. Purely for selfish reasons you understand. Please feel free to limit your photos to 100 per posting.

That kit is so sweet! You'll make a monster out of it. Have fun with it MP!!

[Moon Puppy]

Don't forget about Korea.

Exactly...And they surely had ground support roles during WWII.

Thanks Myke, I'll be posting every screwup along the way! 

[Gundamhead]

That's like using your Ferrari to haul lumber. 

[13aceofspades13]

no... i would not say it would be like hauling lumber with a farrari, the Mustang was heavier than most fighters, though it could out perform most fighters. the P-51 weighed in at about 11,000 all bombs rockets loaded on full internal load, about 9,500 with full internal load. about 8,700 with a reduced load. it could take hits from 30MM cannon and still fight... as long as it did not get hit somewhere super vital. it was a durable fighter, and fast at low level with a top speed of about 367MPH at sea level, faster than most fighters at low altitudes, and had good agility. it was actually most agile and easiest to fly at lower altitudes, beacuse of its laminar flow wings liked the thicker air. 

however it could take on 109s and 190s... at more than equal terms...

[Moon Puppy]

That's like using your Ferrari to haul lumber. 

Or bunches of hardbombs on a F15? 

[Gundamhead]

That's like using your Ferrari to haul lumber. 

Or bunches of hardbombs on a F15? 

Exactly. There was a reason for the 'F' designation. Air supremacy. You lose it's intended purpose trying to be a Jack of All Trades. The F-15E is more like a "A"-15E. The same happened to the F-14 and F-18. Shortsighted politicians trying to get one plane to do it all.

The P-51 was designed as a Pursuit air supremacy fighter. Not an attack or bomber craft. There were just better planes for those roles. Just sayin' Keep mine in the fighter role. 

[Gundamhead]

no... i would not say it would be like hauling lumber with a farrari, the Mustang was heavier than most fighters, though it could out perform most fighters. the P-51 weighed in at about 11,000 all bombs rockets loaded on full internal load, about 9,500 with full internal load. about 8,700 with a reduced load. it could take hits from 30MM cannon and still fight... as long as it did not get hit somewhere super vital. it was a durable fighter, and fast at low level with a top speed of about 367MPH at sea level, faster than most fighters at low altitudes, and had good agility. it was actually most agile and easiest to fly at lower altitudes, beacuse of its laminar flow wings liked the thicker air. 

however it could take on 109s and 190s... at more than equal terms...

It's exactly like stuffing lumber in your Ferrari. You really think 2 identical P-51s but one weighed down with all that extra ordinance is gonna be as good a fighting plane as the naked one? Weights aren't the issue, the affect of the weight on performance is.
The unloded Ferrari is gonna clean the clock of the one hauling lumber.