Arma Hobby 1/72 P-51D Mustang Very Long Range
By Matt Bittner
Overview
Late last year, Arma Hobby released the first in their 1/72 P-51D Mustang line. For this latest release they include parts to make a Very Long Range (VLR) bird that served mainly escorting B-29s across the Pacific from Iwo Jima to mainland Japan. For this configuration, they were outfitted with 110-gallon drop tanks for the escort role, or 150-gallon streamlined drop tanks for the strike role which also saw the aircraft fitted with rockets.
The Kit
The Arma Hobby 1/72 P-51D Mustang Very Long Range consists of 141 parts in grey plastic; eight parts in clear plastic plus four parts for the undercarriage alignment jig and stand; masks for the canopy and wheels; and markings for two aircraft:
- P-51D-20-NA Mustang “Snortin’ Phyllie”, 1st Lt. Herb Straughn, 531st Fighter Squadron, 21st Fighter Group, Iwo Jima, spring–summer 1945
- P-51D-25-NA Mustang “Little One”, 1st Lt. Francis J. Pilecki, 458th Fighter Squadron, 506th Fighter Group, Iwo Jima, spring 1945
Arma Hobby decals are now printed by Cartograf so you can be assured of their excellence. In an interesting twist, the tail stripe decals for "Little One" have been specially shaped to match the curved fin surface, providing a more realistic result than the flat tail bands often seen in other kits. A great touch.
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You know where construction starts, just like the majority of all aircraft kits: in the cockpit. The out-of-the-box detail is fantastic and especially if you're building the model with a closed canopy you won't need anything else. The only thing I would definitely change if I was going to open the canopy would be the seat belts; instead of using the kit-supplied decals I would be searching for something more "3D-like". For instance, the 3D printed seat with in-situ belts Arma provides in their STL files which you can download via a QR code on the instructions, or maybe some 3D printed decal belts. Something other than the "flat" of the decals. But be that as it may, as I typed the cockpit detail is outstanding especially when you add all the decals to it provided by Arma. The instructions are actually in color for this area which is a big help as well.
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In amongst working on the cockpit, the instructions also have you work on the underside-trunking for the radiator as well as painting the tail wheel. This is because these two items are added to one fuselage half along with cockpit details and half of the tailwheel well. Then more cockpit items are added to the other fuselage half, the built-up cockpit is added, along with more of the radiator insides before closing the fuselage halves. Then the addition turns toward the main wheel wells.
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This area is built-up of multiple items, and to make adding color to this area easier, Arma provides aluminum-colored decals to go over the zinc chromate painted wells, to give it that "dual color" look. This is great in that trying to mask this area to spray appears to be quite the chore. Note that before you add the upper portions to the lower main wing, there are holes you'll need to open for whatever external stores you decide to add. In addition, Arma provides the formation lights as a clear piece as well, but if you go that route - instead of just painting them on the surface at the end - these too will need holes drilled. Arma provides the flaps dropped.
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Now you make the model look like a true airplane by adding the tail pieces along with the built-up wing. While the rest of construction shows adding the landing gear, wheels and whatever stores you decide to use, those are definitely best left off until after painting and decaling is finished. Remember to build the jig Arma provides to not only help with landing gear construction, but also to help hold the model. In addition, the way Arma ensures the HVAR racks are mounted correctly, they mold the front and rear piece to a piece of styrene that is later removed after they are glued on. Definitely a great idea.
Conclusion
Once again, Arma Hobby has a winner on their hands with their P-51D, and now with this VLR release. While construction won't be super quick, you can be assured that it will more than look the part when finished.
My thanks to Arma Hobby for providing the review kit.