Bandai
North-American P-51 K Mustang
Item Number:
ARMA70071
ARMA70071
Manufacturer
ARMA HOBBY
ARMA HOBBY
Scale:
1:72
1:72
Like its predecessors, the P-51B/C, the P-51D Mustang was manufactured at two North American Aviation plants: Inglewood, California, and Dallas, Texas.
Aircraft built in Inglewood were designated NA, while those from Dallas were designated NT.
Although both production lines produced nearly identical airframes, the Dallas-built Mustangs featured some small but noticeable differences.
One of the biggest challenges to mass production was the shortage of Hamilton Standard propellers, which had been used on earlier Mustangs.
To maintain production, the Dallas plant introduced the P-51K-1-NT, equipped with an Aeroproducts propeller, following the P-51D-5-NT.
Subsequent production series ranged from K-1 to K-15.
Once the supply of Hamilton Standard propellers was restored, production reverted to the D designation, beginning with the P-51D-20-NT.
Another distinguishing feature of the Dallas-built Mustangs was the characteristic "Dallas Hood" canopy. The slightly more curved cockpit canopy of the Inglewood series improved rearward visibility and was easily recognizable on later production aircraft.
The P-51K saw service on several fronts. In Europe, it served with the USAAF escorting bombers over Germany and with the RAF as the Mustang Mk IVa. Although early aircraft were equipped with Aeroproducts propellers, many front-line units later converted to Hamilton Standard propellers, as was the case with Lt. Carl E. Decklar's aircraft. This largely eliminated the performance differences between the K and D variants.
The P-51K also proved extremely valuable in the Pacific. It flew with USAAF fighter groups in the Philippines, as was the case with Lt. Bertram Lee, and from Iwo Jima, where it participated in long-range escort missions protecting B-29 Superfortress bombers over Japan. These missions were among the longest fighter operations of the war. The Mustang K combined range, reliability, and firepower, making it one of the most effective fighters of the late war.
The P-51K proved that a variant developed out of necessity could be just as capable as the original. For historians and modelers alike, it remains a fascinating and versatile version of one of the most legendary fighter aircraft of World War II.
Plastic Model Kit
unbuilt / unpainted
Paint and glue not included
Aircraft built in Inglewood were designated NA, while those from Dallas were designated NT.
Although both production lines produced nearly identical airframes, the Dallas-built Mustangs featured some small but noticeable differences.
One of the biggest challenges to mass production was the shortage of Hamilton Standard propellers, which had been used on earlier Mustangs.
To maintain production, the Dallas plant introduced the P-51K-1-NT, equipped with an Aeroproducts propeller, following the P-51D-5-NT.
Subsequent production series ranged from K-1 to K-15.
Once the supply of Hamilton Standard propellers was restored, production reverted to the D designation, beginning with the P-51D-20-NT.
Another distinguishing feature of the Dallas-built Mustangs was the characteristic "Dallas Hood" canopy. The slightly more curved cockpit canopy of the Inglewood series improved rearward visibility and was easily recognizable on later production aircraft.
The P-51K saw service on several fronts. In Europe, it served with the USAAF escorting bombers over Germany and with the RAF as the Mustang Mk IVa. Although early aircraft were equipped with Aeroproducts propellers, many front-line units later converted to Hamilton Standard propellers, as was the case with Lt. Carl E. Decklar's aircraft. This largely eliminated the performance differences between the K and D variants.
The P-51K also proved extremely valuable in the Pacific. It flew with USAAF fighter groups in the Philippines, as was the case with Lt. Bertram Lee, and from Iwo Jima, where it participated in long-range escort missions protecting B-29 Superfortress bombers over Japan. These missions were among the longest fighter operations of the war. The Mustang K combined range, reliability, and firepower, making it one of the most effective fighters of the late war.
The P-51K proved that a variant developed out of necessity could be just as capable as the original. For historians and modelers alike, it remains a fascinating and versatile version of one of the most legendary fighter aircraft of World War II.
Plastic Model Kit
- New Molds (2025) – Excellent geometry, crisp details
- Smooth wings – the only 1:72 Mustang kit with true-to-scale wing details
- Extensive configuration options – build aircraft from the European Theater of Operations (ETO), the Royal Air Force (RAF), or the Pacific Theater (with different propellers, canopies, and antennas)
- High-quality Techmod decals – markings for 3 aircraft (USAAF Pacific, USAAF ETO, RAF)
- Pre-cut masks – for the canopy and wheels to simplify painting
- Transparent assembly stand – for correct landing gear alignment
- Link to free download of the 3D accessory file
- P-51K-10-NT Mustang, Pilot: Lt. Bertram Lee, 342nd Fighter Squadron, 348th Fighter Group, Luzon, Philippines 1945
- P-51K-1-NT Mustang, Pilot: Lt. Carl E. Decklar, 354th Fighter Squadron, 355th Fighter Group, Steeple Morden, England 1945. Retrofitted Hamilton Standard propeller.
- Mustang IVa (P-51K-15-NT), Pilot: F/Lt. S. Doley, No. 19 Fighter Squadron, RAF, England 1945
unbuilt / unpainted
Paint and glue not included
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