Tamiya 60754 1/72 North American F-51D Mustang Vintage Warbird Kit  [60754]

North American F-51D Mustang Background

The North American F-51D Mustang originated from an April 1940 concept sketched in New York. Designated P-51 by the U.S. Army Air Corps and named Mustang by British authorities, the fighter gained fame during World War II. The P-51D variant, featuring a bubble canopy for improved visibility, became the top production model with 9,603 examples built.

Mounted with six .50 caliber machine guns and capable of carrying extra fuel tanks or a 1000lb bomb, the Mustang served in many roles. Postwar distribution placed Mustangs in multiple air forces, and during the Korean War F-51Ds were prized for their handling at lower speeds, supporting close air operations alongside forward air controllers.

However, the liquid-cooled engine was susceptible to ground fire on strike missions, contributing to losses: 194 Mustangs were lost over three years in Korea, while only 10 were lost to enemy fighters. These wartime statistics help modellers plan realistic finishes and damage effects.