Eduard 11196 - 1:48 Mighty Eight 65th Fighter Wing P-51D Mustang - Limited Edition

Plastic model kit of the P-51D Mustang “Mighty Eight: 65th Fighter Wing” fighter aircraft

The Eduard 11196 “Mighty Eight: 65th Fighter Wing” is a Limited Edition kit of the legendary North American P-51D Mustang in 1/48 scale. The set represents aircraft operated by the 4th Fighter Group, 355th Fighter Group, 361st Fighter Group and 479th Fighter Group, all part of the 65th Fighter Wing of the US Eighth Air Force during World War II.

The kit includes plastic parts produced by Eduard and is complemented by several detail-enhancing accessories. The set contains photo-etched parts including pre-painted cockpit details, painting masks for the canopy and Brassin resin parts such as wheels and two different types of exhaust stacks. The decal sheet allows the modeller to build one of thirteen aircraft marking options used by the 65th Fighter Wing.

• Scale: 1:48
• Model length: approx. 20.5 cm
• Wingspan: approx. 23.5 cm
• Manufacturer: Eduard
• Difficulty level: intermediate
• Limited Edition release
• 13 marking options
• Photo-etched parts including pre-painted details
• Painting masks included
• Brassin resin parts – wheels and two types of exhausts

Note: The kit does not include glue, paints or modelling tools. The model is designed for self-assembly.

Model assembly

The model consists of plastic parts that must be assembled according to the instructions. The parts are removed from sprues, cleaned and glued together. The kit also includes photo-etched parts and resin accessories that allow the modeller to achieve a higher level of detail.

Required tools

• Modelling knife or sprue cutters
• Files or sanding paper for finishing parts
• Paint brushes
• Plastic cement
• Model paints
• Cyanoacrylate glue for metal or resin parts

Technical data of the original aircraft:

• Length: approx. 9.83 m
• Wingspan: 11.28 m
• Powerplant: Packard V-1650-7 (license-built Rolls-Royce Merlin)
• Maximum speed: approx. 703 km/h
• Armament: 6 × 12.7 mm Browning machine guns

About the North American P-51D Mustang

The P-51 Mustang became one of the most important Allied fighters of World War II. With the Merlin engine and its exceptional range, the aircraft proved to be an outstanding long-range escort fighter capable of protecting strategic bombers over Germany and occupied Europe. The P-51D variant featured a bubble canopy which significantly improved pilot visibility.

Aircraft of the 65th Fighter Wing operated from bases in the United Kingdom as part of the Eighth Air Force. Their main task was escorting B-17 Flying Fortress and B-24 Liberator bombers during strategic bombing missions. Mustangs from these fighter groups achieved numerous aerial victories and became famous for their distinctive unit markings that are still widely recognized by aviation enthusiasts and modelers.

About the manufacturer

Eduard is one of the most respected manufacturers of plastic model kits and modelling accessories. The company produces aircraft kits in various scales along with a wide range of photo-etched detail sets, painting masks and resin accessories. Eduard kits are well known for their high level of detail, rich contents and high-quality decal sheets.