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In-Box Review
132
P-51D Mustang
Dragon 1/32 P-51D Mustang
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by: HG Barnes [ HGBARNES ]

INTRODUCTION

Special thanks to Cain at Scale Model Alberta for supplying the kit and extra decals for review and build. Please visit and subscribe to their YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/ScaleModelAlberta/videos

HISTORY

This was Dragon Models offering into the 1/32 world back in 2006. It was, initially, a welcomed sight over the older Hasegawa and despite its well know shortcomings is still a fantastic kit for the price(where you can find one), plastic, metal, decals and subject matter. I won't bore you in describing those flaws, such as the cockpit floor or the overdone surface detail, because they will come out in the future build.

THE KIT

A sturdy box with great cover art hold the ten separately bagged sprues (save for the mirrored "C" sprue) and the Dragon Card. The plastic is very high quality with zero flash and burring yet the surface texture is a bit rough. The parts count is reasonable due to plenty of highly detailed ejection molded engineering.

Clear parts are very good yet there is a slight center seam to remove. The clear engine cowlings give you the option to show off the kit engine or any after market.

Decals are deliciously colorful and fine printed by Cartograf with markings for three aircraft from the "353rd Fighter Group" (???). As you noticed though, Scale Model Alberta sent some additional decals for the "403rd "City of Calgary" Squadron" which will be incorporated with the kit decals.

Metal parts for the shocks, pins for the flaps and photo-etched harness, grills and instrument panel are included. Weighted "DS" tires round out the list of goodies.

The Instructions work you through thirteen steps to get to the markings and stencil placement yet need VERY careful examination.

CONCLUSION

This will be an interesting build, being fully aware of all the known challenges. That said, in the end it will look great on anyone's shelf. Thanks for having a look with me.

Click here for additional images for this review.

SUMMARY
Highs: Plenty of open options for the engine, cockpit and gun bays. Very fine detailed parts.
Lows: The surface riveting and panel lines are far to many and the engine is a bit plain.
Verdict: This kit will need time, patience and some scratch building to bring it to life.
  Scale: 1:32
  Mfg. ID: 3201
  PUBLISHED: Dec 10, 2018
  NATIONALITY: United States
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 86.05%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 86.16%

About HG Barnes (HGBARNES)
FROM: ALBERTA, CANADA

H.G. Barnes is a former voice artist and sales/marketing executive. Currently ghost writing, he's recently published the first of many Science Fiction, Fantasy, Romance, and Adventure novels. He's been building model kits of every genre since memory to go along with his short stories, yet aircraft h...

Copyright ©2021 text by HG Barnes [ HGBARNES ]. Images also by copyright holder unless otherwise noted. Opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AeroScale. All rights reserved.



Comments

Kit decals look like two from the 353nd FG and one from the 352nd FG (as depicted on the box art)
DEC 10, 2018 - 06:21 AM
A review of a 12 year old kit?
DEC 10, 2018 - 02:14 PM
I see nothing wrong with reviewing older kits, not everyone was into modeling when this kit was hatched and even though I was it was one that was never on my radar. Thanks for the review !
DEC 11, 2018 - 01:40 AM
Hi there Nice review HG - but it's a kit that's best forgotten from my point of view! The Mustang taught me a valuable lesson as an adviser to a kit manufacturer - i.e. while they may seek your opinion, that's no guarantee that they'll follow your advice. (There's a long story to be told one day about how my name ended up being on the instructions, but I don't hold a grudge against the others in the team about being left without a parachute... honestly. ) To be fair to the kit, Jean-Luc showed that it can look pretty decent: http://aeroscale.kitmaker.net/review/2298 - but I think it's equally fair to say that it's not what any of the advisers hoped for. All the best Rowan
DEC 11, 2018 - 08:42 AM
   
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