Reviews : Tamiya F-51 Mustang Korean War

There really isn't a whole lot to say about this model. It's Tamiya, and it's WWII. The fit is fantastic, detail is good, etc. It's actually an older kit, but all panel lines and rivets are recessed. The decals are well printed, and thinner than Tamiya decals usually are, but they are as insufferable to work with as ever. If you go for the option I did, with the multicolor fuselage band, it isn't even remotely close to the correct shape. Another thing to look out for- even though my kit was still in the shrinkwrap, the decals had gone a bit yellow. A couple weeks taped to a window in direct sunlight solved this, but the decals didn't stop looking faintly yellow until they were placed in the water. I'd find a decal you aren't going to be using and test it before you decal your model. The only other thing to note is the lackluster fit of the rear canopy. The slot it is supposed to slide in is too small, and the place were the canopy frame meets the fuselage is too thick to allow it to be posed open. Some minor plastic surgery would be required to do that. Even posing it closed, I had to take a sanding stick to the tab that's supposed to fit into the sliding slot to get it to sit flat. Just keep an eye out for those things, and you'll be able to build a fantastic addition to your collection.

Love the kit. Par for the course for 72nd scale Tamiya. I like how it came with a stand even though I didn't use it. It'll come in hand with some other build I'm sure. The molding was crisp, recessed panels lines and rivets were as fine as could be hoped for. Canopy was crystal clear with zero evidence of a seam. Not a single piece of flash on the sprues. Fit was typical Tamiya perfection. Decals were excellent in every way. The one any only non-positive comment I have is the model does not lend itself well to a gears up build. The front landing gear doors can be installed closed just fine but the rear gear doors come molded in the open position. While not making it impossible, it does add quite a bit of work to cut them off and adjust the fit just right to close the rear gear doors and have it look acceptably good.

It's a Tamiya Need we say more? The F-51 Mustang Korean War kit builds up almost perfectly. With a nicely detailed cockpit, engraved panel lines, drop tanks, air-to-ground rockets, and 500lb bombs. No there is not a pilot figure if that matters to you. This kit will build up into a great late WWII, Korean War, Air National Guard, or export version. Buy this kit.

A very nice model if you're looking to expand your Korean war collection and post war WWII planes. It come with a nice selection of armaments and decal options.The only problem I had with this kit was getting the rockets to properly align other than that it's a nice and easy build especially for beginners.

Accuracy as expected for 1/72nd Tamiya kit. Should go together quickly for a wargaming model.