Description
- Famous form of the aircraft including its distinctive wing profiles have been precisely reproduced.
- Radiator components are reproduced just like those on the actual aircraft. Both the radiator flap and oil cooler flap are movable.
- You can select either early- or late-type tails, with the latter featuring the dorsal fin.
- Parts for 75- and 108-gallon drop tanks are included.
- Comes with 3 kinds of markings to depict aircraft from the U.S. 8th Air Force.
Create Your Free Price Drop Alert!
S. Baxter –
The 1/32 scale Tamiya P-51D Mustang is probably the best, most detailed Mustang kit ever released to the mass market. At this writing I’m about 30% of the way through building mine and can say it’s miles beyond the Revell and Monogram kits I built as a kid. The amount of detail in this Tamiya kit is impressive, as is the quality of the individual parts themselves, which actually FIT. But it’s not cheap at about $100, and if you buy all the paints Tamiya recommends to complete the build properly, you’ll be into it for another $100 or so. You’ll need things like good tweezers, an X-acto knife, and some needle files to properly complete the kit – for painting, an airbrush is very useful, but not absolutely necessary. Be careful and you’ll eventually have a great finished Mustang model. BUT . . . if the model itself still doesn’t quite satisfy, there are aftermarket kits that include photo etched metal or resin cast parts as well as decal sheets that will increase the realism – and the cost. But if you choose to go that route, be prepared to paint and manipulate some parts that are literally smaller than a grain of rice. And of course, some purists will “scratch build” things like the ignition harness, add wiring and hydraulic lines, and will even sand off the embossed rivet patterns on the wings so they can add back their own, “more historically accurate” rivet pattern. That the Tamiya kit is still the favored starting point even for exhibition or competition grade Mustang scale models is an indication of just how good the kit is. Do some google and youtube searches and you’ll find plenty of additional information and photos.
Eric Humphrey –
Tamiya, excellent quality. I have not started this kit as yet however opening the box it became clear that all parts and instructions are of the highest quality and minimal fettling/filling will be required. The price was the cheapest I could find at the time of purchase and it was delivered in a shorter time period than I had expected considering it was sent from Japan.
Davidson –
Great kit. Well engineered perfect fit.
john mcintosh –
Added to my extensive collection of kits both plastic and model ships. Of course wont live long enough to build em all but my sons will inherit!!!.
Tamiya excellence
Frederick noel bolton –
Great price and service
raymond c kurn –
Nice size kit with great detail.
JohnInTX –
I haven’t built this model yet , but I’m sure it will be as fun to build as it looks
Mikel R. –
This model of the iconic P-51D Mustang from Tamiya, is about as accurate as you will get, compared to the actual real-life aircraft. The kit contains approximately 500 parts. I will suggest getting a few builds as a little experience before taking on this beautiful model. The instructions are excellent along with photos of the real aircraft are included with this model. This information along with much information and resources available in publications and on the internet will be a valuable resource when achieving the utmost in accuracy. As a final suggestion, please read over the instructions thoroughly before you start cutting parts off the sprues. Take at least a week or so to read and research. By doing so, along with time and patience, you are sure to have a model that will be at the forefront of your display. Good luck and happy modeling!
snowdrop484 –
This kit is by far the most detailed and comprehensive kit I’ve ever encountered, a real challenge that can yield a fantastic aircraft in incredible detail. I highly recommend this, but do your homework first and take into account that the kit to build this cost more than the model itself! (if you haven’t got one already). I also recommend the magazine/book on how to build it.
Amazon Customer –
Actually, I’m still enjoying just drooling over the contents of the box… This is plastic precision engineering at its very peak. Every last tiny rivet, when you look closely, is there…It just couldn’t come better than this! . I am in awe…. Looking forward to taking up this challenge.. I think Autumn may be free…..
Troy A Goetz –
Hats Off To Tamiya!
The Purchase:
As with the majority of my Amazon purchased, everything arrived in perfect condition and on time.
Breakdown of the kit:
I explored the contents of the box very carefully, this was the first time I have ever had a kit with so many parts. I was very impressed with the overall packaging. The photo etched parts, canopies and hardware come in a separate compartment. The decal sheet, instructions, detail booklet and the larger detail sheet are all outstanding! After inspection of the parts, I came to realize that this kit has a ton of details unlike other kits of the same scale!
The build:
This is my first attempt building a kit with this much detail. I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of details in the instructions. I will also add, I made a few mistakes because I did not follow them to the letter! The engine parts on the sprue also include parts from the Spitfire so make sure you double check your part numbers! I messed up on an engine part and it was an easy fix because I happened to be reading another review of the kit at the same time! The etched parts were fairly large and easy to work with. There are a lot of area’s that require special attention that include magnets and other hardware. Follow the directions and you’ll be just fine! After getting the engine and cockpit together, I noticed how perfectly everything had fit together. Also, with the added hardware, everything seems very strong and durable. The tail wheel fit is the only area that had me in a jam. There was a slight gap that I cured by adding and sanding styrene to the fuselage. After that little detour, everything was great. The landing gear is all assembled with metal pins and should be plenty strong. It’s been sitting in the display case for nearly 4 months and it has not dropped at all! I have read a few reviews that state the tail gear as being weak, so far, I disagree. Almost forgot, I had a bit of a fit issue with the upper cowling not wanting to sit flush. After I sanded the inside edges a little bit, it was snug as can be!
The result:
I painted my kit to reflect “Petie the 2nd”. I am very happy with the results of this build. I was scared to death before I started. I am used to building mostly 1/48 scale kits right out of the box…this kit has opened my eyes to a variety of new area’s. I am no longer afraid of etched metal or metallic finishes. This kit has opened my eyes to a new world of detail and now I look forward to doing a lot more of these!
I FULLY recommend this kit to anyone intermediate/pro. If you are new to the hobby, start with a few 1/48 kits and work your way up.
Awesome Kit Tamiya…Thank You!
Fred –
This Tamaya P-51D is the second P-51D from Tamaya that I have purchased. A very satisfying build
S. Baxter –
First thing to know…Tamiya is peerless when it comes to high quality models. Second, this 1/32 P-51 model is fabulous. I built this one for display in my company. It decided to decorate a floor of a new building in a history of aviation motif.
I’ve built a lot of models but this kit was a joy to build! The fit and finish to the plastic is perfect and the amount of detail is amazing. I had some fun with photoshop to show it off.
I’m so happy with the kit that I bought one for myself as well as the Corsair and the Spitfire. The seller from Japan was awesome to work with. It came to my house surprisingly fast and in good order.
Thanks Tamiya!