Stop-press
Modelling World
News item is that Frog has released a 1/72 kit of the Allison-engined NA Mustang, containing transfers for a USAAF P-51A and also a RAF Mustang II. More details next month, but meantime here is a photo of some Allison-powered Mustang Is of 2 Sqn at Sawbridgeworth, Essex, in July 1942.
M.S.J.R.
Aircraft Illustrated 1970 aug
NEW AND IN VIEW
New Aircraft Kits
ROVEX TRI-ANG (FROG). North American P-51A/R.A.F. Mustang II. 1/72 Scale. Price 3/6.
It is unfortunate that the only kit of the Allison-engined version of the Mustang should be somewhat below the standard of other recent releases from this Company. The kit is moulded in medium grey plastic upon which rather heavy surface and rivet detail look to be far out of scale. This, of course, can be removed by sanding but the cockpit canopy transparency is too shallow for the cut out in the fuselage moulding, where the upper rear fuselage is approximately 1 /16in. higher than the canopy top when in position and considerable filing and trimming is required to obtain an acceptable fit for the cockpit cover.
The side view of the early Mustang series was distinguished by the distinctly curved underside of the cowling. On the kit it is omitted but this may have been due to tooling difficulties and can easily be corrected by gentle sanding directly aft of the cowling front on the undersides of the moulding to obtain the correct shape as seen in the photographs elsewhere in this issue. The wing tip shape is also too angular and requires some rounding.
However, on the credit side, the cockpit seat is well done, the central undercarriage door covers have interior detail moulded on the inside faces and the undercarriage and wheels are among the most realistic we have seen for any Mustang kit.
The model is assembled easily with little need for filling any unsightly gaps or joint lines but what a pity that the outline accuracy of the fuselage is so inconsistent as regard the canopy moulding. Unfortunately one cannot even adapt a canopy from another kit to fit ancj we can only hope FROG consider re-making these particular canopies. The decals are for machines of the Air Commando, Burma U.S.A.A.F. or No. 2 Sqdn. R.A.F., D-Day 1 944 complete with national insignia, codes and serials.
Also released from ROVEX TRI-ANG LTD. (FROG) is the re-issue of the HASEGAWA kit for the Convair F- 102A Delta Dagger to 1/72 scale. Price 10/6.
Moulded in grey plastic this kit is another example of the very high standard of tooling, workmanship and design now accepted as normal for this Company. The kit is accurate and fits together well although some care must be taken when cementing the weapon bay doors in place as it is very easy to place them in the wrong order. The canopy is excellent and the interior cockpit detail includes a pilot and seat. As the seat is cemented in place in a console rather like a hip bath in appearance, considerable cockpit interior detailing can be added as a complete unit before cementing the whole part into the fuselage halves.
Decals are excellent and include full markings for one aircraft of the 32nd Fighter Sqdn., 86th Air Division as based in Holland in 1962 or alternatively there are markings for a Turkish aircraft. Both models should be finished in very pale gloss Grey finish overall and we were particularly pleased to see on the box art painting guide illustrations that the shade of colour is also quoted, making the finishing a much easier task; using earlier box art colour interpretation as a guide one could perhaps have inadvertently painted the model overall Silver.
A very good kit which makes up into a most striking model.
COVER COMMENT
NORTH AMERICAN MUSTANGS—THE EARLY ONES
The name "Mustang" conjures up visions of what was perhaps the most aesthetically appealing of all single-engined fighters used during the Second World War and to many it was regarded as the ultimate in long range escort fighters. This could well be true of the P-51 B/C and D's but although the history of the Mustang series has been covered in numerous other publications very little has been published in regard to the early variants.
The P-51 series arose out of the need of the British for a replacement fighter for the P-40's which were being supplied under Lease-Lend. The British Direct Purchasing Commission approached North American with proposals that they build a variant of the
The IPMS magazine, AUGUST 1970 Vol. 7 No. 8
Modelling World
JAMES GOULDING
Frog's P-51A Mustang
Frog has, I believe it is true to say, produced the first 1/72 scale kit of the Allison-powered P-51A version of North American's superb Mustang fighter. This is indeed a welcome addition to uur collections, and Frog is to be congratulated on choosing tins lesser-known, and featured, variant. There is too often an emphasis on the most widely-known and hackneyed variants in kits.
Unfortunately, once again, this kit has moulding and design faults, which mar an otherwise nice model. Both of these major faults can be rectified with care. Something has gone wrong with the moulding of the fuselage or canopy, for there is a step down in the top fuselage contour when it meets the cockpit canopy. Luckily, there is enough wall thickness to file down the fuselage level with the canopy. The contours of the lower part of the engine cowling are not correct, and building up the correct shape with body putty makes all the difference to the appearance of the model.
Some rather ugly gaps are left by the bad fitting of some of the mouldings, but these are easily filled. These criticisms apart, this is a very pleasing little model which is completely in character with the full-size aircraft. It looks right, and is one of the best Mustangs yet.
The undercarriage legs and doors are delicate and well-detailed, and the wheels look convincing. The propeller is a great improvement on those in the Tomahawk and Whitley kits.
I would have liked to have seen more emphasis on the Mustang's special reflex wing sections, which are such a feature of the aircraft.
The transfers are for a P-51A of the 1 st Air Commando Group, USAAF in India, and a Mustang II (FR919) of 2 Squadron, Royal Air Force.
This is a model that will lend itself to conversion to a number of the earlier variants, including the original Rolls-Royce Merlin test beds.
Price of this kit is 3s 6d.
AIRCRAFT ILLUSTRATED 1970-09
FROM FROG
The same might be said of the P-51A Mustang, also released by Frog and a fine companion to the late - mark Mustangs produced by other kit makers.
The panel detail on this kit is raised, not recessed, which is the only minor criticism.
This is much less obtrusive, however, when the model is painted and it can, in any case, be rubbed down quite easily.
Characteristic wheels and canopy are particularly well done on this model, and as usual there are two sets of markings — either for a No 2 Sqn RAF machine or Colonel Cochrane's famous 1st Air Commando Group aircraft, USAAF.
Price is 3s.
C.O.E.
1970-09 Airfix magazine
NEW to YOU?
MONTHLY REVIEW OF NEW PRODUCTS CONDUCTED BY BOB JONES OF I.P.M.S.
ROVEX TRI-ANG LIMITED (FROG) have several additions released in recent weeks, all to 1/72 scale they include the P-51A/RAF MUSTANG Mk. II, the CONVAIR DELTA DAGGER F-102А, and the RF 101С VOODOO and VULTEE VENGEANCE. At the recent BIGGIN HILL air display, the company were showing models of the DE HAVILLAND HORNET 3 and the FOCKE WULF Та.152H both of which will be released later this year. The made up models on display certainly looked most realistic and appear to be well detailed with excellent transparencies.
The NORTH AMERICAN MUSTANG Mk. 2 is a fine W.W.2 aircraft kit, containing over 25 fine detailed parts, which fit together very well with little, if any, flash.
Upon checking reliable drawings a slight discrepancy was found concerning the tips of the wings and tailplanes which are too angular when viewed from above.
More obvious errors are apparent when viewing the model from the side. The underfuselage radiator is far too shallow and the contour of fuselage underside forward of the wing leading edge is not pronounced enough. No drop tanks or bombs are included although these are shown on the package artwork.
Beautiful matt decals give a choice of either a 2 Sqn. R.A.F. or a 1st Air Commando Group U.S.A.F. machine and accurate colour schemes are provided.
All things considered, a very good kit which should be in every W.W.2 aircraft fans collection.
Price of the l/72nd scale kit is a modest 3/6.
Scale Models, NOVEMBER 1970
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