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Differences between P-51B and P-51C?


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Just bought a P-51C (Hobbyboss' easy assembly kit in 1/72). I'd like to know if there were significant differences between the P-51B and P-51C. I find more schemes for P-51B. Couldn't find further info on one of the marking options: Don Gentile's P-51C (the other is for a RAF machine w/ Malcolm hood), so I'm looking for more options even if I have to backdate it to a B. Thanks a lot in advance. Thanks a lot in advance. Best regards.

José.

P.S. I think I saw P-51B or C with P-51D fin extension, is that correct?

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P.S. I think I saw P-51B or C with P-51D fin extension, is that correct?

Yes, some Bs & Cs got a fin extension but it is not exactly the same as the 'D' extension. Saw a diagram a while back on one of these forums, just can't remember which one.

Tony

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And while on the subject, did Tamiya do a proper wingjob on their 1:48 scale P-51B? Not like there are that many current Hawkeye 1:72 resin wing correction sets out there anymore. That`s why i am considering getting the 1:48 scale Tamiya kit.

So i can have a good reference when remodelling my ancient but otherwise nice Hasegawa 1:72 -B kits, hahaha.

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The Tamiya 1/48th P-51B is a beautiful kit, and very accurate. There is one problem, the cockpit floor is done as were those on the Allison engined predecessors, the metal wing top. In actuality, starting with the -B, P-51s incorporated a flat plywood floor, covered with a black non-skid finish. (Pretty much like wing walks). There was a slot for the joy stick and its mechanisms and holes through which the fuel guages could be read. Hal Sr

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The Tamiya 1/48th P-51B is a beautiful kit, and very accurate. There is one problem, the cockpit floor is done as were those on the Allison engined predecessors, the metal wing top. In actuality, starting with the -B, P-51s incorporated a flat plywood floor, covered with a black non-skid finish. (Pretty much like wing walks). There was a slot for the joy stick and its mechanisms and holes through which the fuel guages could be read. Hal Sr

What Hal says ...

I personally don't think the incorrect floor is a deal-breaker, especially once the model is on the display shelf. Happily, if one wants to deal with it, there's a beautiful Jaguar resin cockpit set that's still in stock at their web site for $17.00:

http://jaguarmodels.com/store/index.php/1-48-p-51b-mustang-interior-detail-set.html

In other respects, the Tamiya kit is beautifully engineered and fun to build. The optional open clam shell canopy works especially well.

Cheers,

Pip

Edited by seawinder
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Does anybody produce decals for the P-51B/C with the fin extension in 1/48?

I have the AM kit, but no decals. Would prefer to build it as something that is NOT NMF.

There's a photo of Bonnie B here:

http://www.mustangsmustangs.us/thehangar/index.php?PHPSESSID=6q8eeokp8cb681squl474rmaa0&topic=388.0

...showing it in OD/NG camouflage with the dorsal fin fillet.

Kits World sheet KSW148090 has markings for Bonnie B (although the instructions show it without the DFF) It's out of stock at Sprue Brothers, but there's an eBay listing:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kits-World-Decals-1-48-NORTH-AMERICAN-P-51-MUSTANG-Bonnie-B-Gunfighter/190981522605?_trksid=p2047675.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D11%26meid%3D3378101514319414150%26pid%3D100011%26prg%3D1005%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D5%26sd%3D360635739982%26

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The Tamiya kit is accurate. Hasegawa's 1/72 kit has a D wing.

I said that recently - in response I was told that it wasn't true, that the main flaw in the Hasegawa kit was the leading edge sweep. As a result of which the kink was also wrong, but not in the way I thought. It does however have the correct 4 guns, but I don't think that's what you meant.

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Tamiya enclosed the wheel well, the wheel bay is open in the actual aircraft--this isn't a nit... Google has a wealth of images and dscussions on this topic, including a contemporaneous photo in this thread on Large Scale Planes that also shows color.

The Eduard PE perpetuates Tamiya's wells with "detailed" well walls. I used Aries resin on my -B, but it took a lot of scraping to get in. Tamiya stuck to their guns on their 1/48 -D, but in addition to various resin AM, A.M.U.R.Reaver has a nice PE set that I've have for the -D in my stash.

BTW, I found a

filled with great shots of a P-51B.
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Tamiya made the usual error with the wheel wells, the actual wells rear wall is the main wing spar. Very few kits get this right, Airfix's P-51D in 1/72 and Tamiya's own 1/32 effort are the most commonly found with correct wheel wells. None of the common 1/48 kits get it right.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Thankfully I don't display my models upside down.

The error can be seen when viewed from the front of the aircraft, if you don't correct it just display it on a low shelf ;)

Edited by Tbolt
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