Accurate Miniatures 1/48 P-51A Mustang

ACCURATE MINIATURES 1:48 P-51A MUSTANG

Reviewer: Ian Langer (rec.models.scale)
Kit Review submitted: December 1998

Aircraft:
The P-51A Mustang was the first of many versions produced in this famous WW2 family of aircraft that served mainly with the British than it did Americans. It was powered by an early Allison engine and was also known in other circles as the A-36 Condor and Mustang IA. The aircraft was the forerunner to one of the most successful and outstanding aircraft of its time in history, although the P-51A was deemed unsuitable for long-range tasks because of less than adequate performance, such as bomber escort and long-range interception. It did, however, find its way into many conflicts including WW2 and Korea and was built in large numbers by the end of WW2.

The Kit:
If memory serves me correct, then AM (Accurate Miniatures) chose this subject as its first foray into 1:48 model kit engineering - it was in fact also my first experience with AM. It could easily be seen at this point why AM were going to be a world leader in accurate manufacturing of model kits - how appropriate is their company name (although this put me off initially because I thought it was merely a marketing ploy!). In-the-box this kit is brimming with detail that features delicately engraved panel lines and raised rivets (screw heads are visible as well as hinge detail!). It looks like this kit also has parts for other Mustang versions on one major sprue and one can also gather this by the extra cockpit included in the box (straight to the spares!). Initially decals and clear parts looked to be missing, but there is actually a false bottom, if you like, that protects these parts from scratches! At this point I was beside myself with anticipation and wondered why the hell I had listened to my mind about the company's name, rather than judging for myself first-hand, about what sort of kit AM produces.

Construction:
Construction was eagerly begun with the cockpit detail, and this was superbly reproduced. In the first instance I had trouble locating the instrument panel before realising it was actually molded in clear plastic - along with raised dials and gauges! Man, this was definitely going to be a winner internally and at this point (in spite of a closed canopy provision) there was no way the cockpit was going to be closed!! A decal is supplied to be applied against the back of the instrument panel and is nicely rendered through the clear console. I decided to cut the decal out complete with backing paper and attach with very carefully applied white glue around the edges to the back of the panel - rather than dip the decal in water and slide it onto the back of the panel, which appears may not be an easy task to complete. Other areas of the cockpit interior are also done with outstanding detail including raised rivets and detail on the seat and floor.

Fit of the major components is very good to excellent, especially the fuselage halves (but I almost forgot to encase the tailwheel as this must be done at this point), although a small amount of putty was called upon to fill in some wing-to-fuselage joins and fuselage lines. The propeller blades were not very good in my opinion and had to be encased between the spinner halves. Wheel well detail is excellent and the construction of the undercarriage, in spite of there being many bits to assemble, was very straightforward and accurately done. As pointed out above the canopy is molded for closed position but running the trusty #11 blade along the division line resulted in a fairly clean separation.

Versions & Decals:
Only one aircraft is reproduced by the kit and in this one it was an example from the Burma era of WW2, replicating Captain J.England of 311 Fighter Group, 10th Air Force. The decals were good - as in good, not anything better - and with Microsol conformed quite well to the surface, but had a few problems when positioned over panel lines.

Overall:
Overall this is an excellent kit, especially when you consider it was AM's first one put on the market and there is little wonder why they are now regarded with the reputation of being the one of the best. I have no qualms in giving this kit a very high recommendation for anyone looking for an accurate P-51A. Their name says it all!

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