1/48 North American P-51D Mustang & 1/4-ton 4x4 Light

1/48 North American P-51D Mustang and 1/4-ton 4x4 Light Vehicle

Overview:

This cost-effective model kit set includes Items 61040 (1/48 North American P-51D Mustang™ 8th Air Force) and 89755 (1/48 1/4-ton 4×4 Light Vehicle), plus two (standing and sitting) pilot figures and two 108-gallon drop tanks from Item 61089 (1/48 North American P-51D Mustang 8th AF Aces), with a special package and new instruction manual (painting guide) based upon Items 89755/61089.

The P-51 Mustang had a laminar-flow wing, ergonomic radiator position and Merlin engine capable of 1,500hp and attained fame as the greatest fighter aircraft of WWII. The P-51D featuring a water-drop shape canopy was developed in May 1944 and showed its strength to protect the B-17 bombers.

The North American P-51 Mustang is an American, single-engine, long-range fighter and attack aircraft with a classic tail and all-metal construction. The flight of the prototype took place on October 26, 1940. The P-51 Mustang has earned a reputation as one of the best, if not the best, WWII fighter. Replacing the Allison V-1710-39 engine from the first project with a Rolls-Royce Merlin motor (P-51 Mustang Mk.Ia version) made the Mustang, like never before, reached perfection.

The single-seat fighter impressed with its maximum speed, range, maneuverability, and powerful weapons. The combination of all the most important parameters for the assessment of the aircraft made the Mustang prove itself in virtually every role entrusted to it: it gained air superiority, escorted, carried out reconnaissance missions, and attacked ground targets. The class of design is evidenced by the fact that the Mustang remained in active service until the 70's! One of the most important versions was the P-51D, based on the P-51B. It received a bubble canopy fairing which ensuring excellent visibility, and a new engine, the Packard V-1650-7, which significantly improved the Mustang's performance.

The Willys Jeep was developed for the US Army, which in 1940, faced with the war, asked for a completely new 4x4 passenger vehicle with a load capacity of up to 250 kilograms, which could be mass-produced. It is worth adding that initially the American Bantam Car with the Bantam BRC was the clear favorite in the competition. However, the US Department of Defense, striving to ensure the best possible vehicle design and trying to ensure a trouble-free series production, handed over the plans for the Bantam BRC to the Willys and Ford plants. Based on these plans, Willys developed the Jeep which had a much better power unit than the original Bantam BRC, as well as being mechanically more perfect.

Ultimately, it was this vehicle, the Willys Jeep, that won the competition for the US Army. The winning vehicle was mass-produced and delivered to almost all Anglo-Saxon armies fighting in World War II, and thanks to the Lend-and-Lease program, also to the Soviet Union. The Jeep took part in hostilities in North Africa, Italy, Northwest Europe and the Pacific. It is often assumed that the Jeep is one of the symbols of American triumph in World War II.

Features:

• 1/48 scale plastic model assembly kit.
• Features realistic rendering of cockpit interior.
• Includes two types of parts to depict exhaust pipe and canopy sections.
• Choose between up or down flaps, and open or closed shutter at radiator rear.
• Comes with two 75-gallon drop tanks, one pilot figure and four marking options.