Airfix: 1:48 North American P-51D Mustang

The North American P-51 Mustang is an American single-engine, long-range fighter and attack aircraft with a conventional tail and all-metal construction. The prototype made its first flight on 26 October 1940. The P-51 Mustang earned a reputation as one of the best—if not the best—fighter aircraft of the Second World War.

Replacing the original Allison V-1710-39 engine with the Rolls-Royce Merlin (in the P-51 Mustang Mk.Ia version) brought the aircraft to a level of performance never before achieved. This single-seat fighter impressed with its top speed, range, maneuverability and powerful armament. The combination of all key performance factors allowed the Mustang to excel in virtually every role assigned to it: it achieved air superiority, escorted bombers, conducted reconnaissance missions, and attacked ground targets.

The excellence of its design is demonstrated by the fact that the Mustang remained in active service well into the 1970s. One of the most important variants was the P-51D, developed from the P-51B. It received a bubble canopy providing excellent visibility and a new engine—the Packard V-1650-7—which significantly improved performance.

Technical data (P-51D version):
Length: 9.83 m
Wingspan: 11.28 m
Height: 4.08 m
Maximum speed: 703 km/h
Rate of climb: 16.3 m/s
Maximum range: 2755 km
Service ceiling: 12,800 m
Armament: fixed – 6 × 12.7 mm M2 machine guns; underwing – up to 908 kg of bombs or 10 × 127 mm HVAR rockets.