What is the best P-51D kit in 1/48 scale? I have heard that the Tamiya ones are excellent, so was considering this one, but I wanted to make sure I'm going in the right direction.

Also, I'm curious to see if anyone knows why Accurate Miniatures has not produced a "D" version yet. It seems that with all the A-C variants they already have it wouldn't be much work to make one. And if the quality was anything like their SBD kits, they would have a sure winner.

Thanks,
Samuel

I think you have made a good choice for a P-51. Tamiyas are very good kits, plus with the one you chose you get a lot of extras. Ive got 2 P-51Bs and 1 P-51D. Wouldnt trade them for any other makes. Plenty of ups and extras available if you want to go that route.

As far as I know, Accurate Miniatures does not have a "D" available yet. They probably won't either considering how flooded that part of the market is.

Thanks Andy. It's good to know I'm on the right track.





That's what I thought too. Maybe I'll write them and ask.

Thanks.
Samuel

Hi Samuel

I do not know how much you are willing to "buy domestic" and how much customs you have to pay, but hlj have a sale on that box right now: 1/48 P-51D Mustang & US Staff Car Set and s&h is normally pretty low (I use SAL which is pretty slow though) ....

and s&h from Squadron did cost more that the kit I bought last time I ordered from them (about 25 $ ... still a good deal, as CA kits tend to be expensive here in Germany)

cheers

Steffen

The Tamiya P51 D is very good. It has two position flaps so if your putting it on the ground you can have the dropped flaps (P51 hydraulic systems bled down and dropped the flaps and gear doors after the engine was off for awhile.) If you get the limited edition kit you get masks for a fairly elaborate paint job (not just NMF anyome!) Of course you also get an army staff car model in 1/48th so thats a plus.

The one thing that you might want to add are some p/e seatbelts, the kit comes with decals for the belts that really don't measure up in my opinion.

John

The Tamiya kit is darn near bullit proof, even for an idiot like me. That's why I've built several. I also like the Hasegawa D kit. As for CA not producing the D kit I'd ditto what others have said, the market is pretty well sewn up.

Hermon

Just to let you know. Greatmodels.com has it for $36.50 at the moment in stock

hobby lobby has them in stock around here and is currently (or at least were last saturday) running 30% off on all model kits right now. and they often have 40% off coupons listed on their website.

but i have no idea if there are hobby lobbies up in ohio...

I don't know how well Airfix is stocked where you are, but I thought their D was as good as the Tamiyas. High quality at more reasonable price (at least for me here in Europe...)

IIRC the 1/48th Airfix P-51D was originally the old Otaki kit.

Thanks again for all the help. I really appreciate it.

Steffen: Thanks for the pointer. I know what you mean about Squadron. I have only ordered from them once and for that very reason.

John: Thanks for the explanation. I'll keep that in mind.

Andy: Thanks. I'll probably get it from them since shipping is reasonable too.

Vance: We do have Hobby Lobbys here, in fact, that's where I get most of my models. I didn't know they carried this kit, though. Thank you for the pointer.

Hermon, Don, Brian: Thanks for your input.

Samuel

Steffen, thanks for posting the link to HLJ! That is a great price on that particular offering. They are going for close to or more than $60 in the local shops here. HLJ lists them as in stock, so I might as well get me a couple more. Thanks again. "Q"

Well, I bought it today from Great Models for $44 total. Thanks for all the input, guys!