1/72 Airfix P-51D Mustang

Gallery Article by Iwan Winarta on Aug 17 2015

  Indonesia Independence Day 

 

      

No introduction is necessary for this famous aircraft. Simple one of the best and best-looking fighters of World War II.

The Dutch received 40 P-51s and used them in the Indonesian war of independence. When the conflict was over these Mustangs were handed over to the new nation and Indonesia operated them until early 1960's

Click on images below to see larger images

The Kit
The new Airfix Mustang is the latest addition to the 1/72 Mustang stable. It has features that a modern kit should be. Easy to assembly, almost excellent fittings and recessed panel lines. However, there are 2 things that bogged me down; the dorsal antennae which is very fragile and guaranteed to snap when you take it off the sprue (And it did !) and the propeller installation that has to be done before the fuselage halves are glued together, resulting an awkward position for cleaning the fuselage and further assembly.

Decals are from Dutch Decal. This particular aircraft is unique as most other Indonesian Mustangs have sharkmouths. This is also one of the very few Indonesian aircraft decorated with names.

Enjoy!

Iwan Winarta

Photos and text © by Iwan Winarta