Pre-order - Border BF015 - 1:35 North American P-51D Mustang

Pre-order item! Your order will be fulfilled once the manufacturer releases the model. Estimated availability: late September 2026. The delivery date is approximate and may change for reasons beyond our control.

Plastic Model Kit of the North American P-51D Mustang Fighter in 1:35 Scale

Border BF015 is a unique self-assembly plastic model kit representing one of the most iconic fighters of World War II — the North American P-51D Mustang. The kit immediately stands out because of its scale: 1:35 is highly unusual for aircraft models (which are more commonly produced in 1:48 or 1:72), and was chosen here to allow for exceptionally detailed reproduction of the aircraft’s structure and interior.

A particularly distinctive feature of the kit is the factory pre-painted aluminum panels — the surface parts already feature a realistic metallic finish with varying shades replicating natural aluminum skin panels. This allows the modeler to skip the complex process of painting a natural metal finish. The kit also includes a complete interior — from the cockpit to the engine compartment — allowing the finished model to be displayed with visible internal details.

Inside the box you will find:

• Plastic sprues with fuselage and wing components
• Factory pre-painted aluminum panels
• Full interior: cockpit and engine compartment with Packard V-1650 Merlin engine
• Two types of external drop tanks
• Photo-etched parts sheet
• Clear canopy parts
• Water-slide decals for four marking options from a single squadron
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model technical details:

• Scale: 1:35
• Catalog number: BF015
• Manufacturer: Border Model
• Completed model length: approx. 281 mm, wingspan approx. 322 mm
• Difficulty level: advanced

Note: The kit does not include glue, paints, or modeling tools. The model requires assembly and painting.

Building the model:

The kit is intended for advanced modelers. The full interior is best painted and detailed before the fuselage is finally assembled, as access becomes impossible afterward. Care should also be taken when handling the factory pre-painted panels — protecting them from scratches during assembly and gluing is highly recommended.

The four decal options included in the kit all represent aircraft from the same squadron and were selected specifically to match the printed panel finish. This allows the modeler to focus on individual markings and aircraft-specific details without repainting the entire aircraft. A common technique is to apply decals over a gloss varnish to prevent silvering, followed by a satin clear coat typical of wartime aircraft finishes. For even greater realism, separately available turned metal Browning barrels and a metal Pitot tube may be added. Border also offers an optional lighting kit for this model, allowing illumination of the cockpit and navigation lights.

Essential tools:

• Model sprue cutters for removing parts from the sprues
• Modeling knife or scalpel
• Files and sandpaper for smoothing mold attachment points
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Cyanoacrylate glue for photo-etched parts
• Set of precision screwdrivers (for assembly screws)
• Precision modeling tweezers
• Paint brushes in various sizes
• Model paints for finishing the interior and details
• Modeling wash for highlighting panel lines
• Masking fluid or masking tape for the canopy

About the aircraft – North American P-51D Mustang:

The P-51 Mustang was an American fighter aircraft developed for the British by North American Aviation. The prototype was created at record speed — only 117 days passed between signing the contract and the aircraft’s first flight. Early versions were powered by the Allison V-1710 engine, but the true breakthrough came after the adoption of the British Rolls-Royce Merlin engine (built in the United States under license as the Packard V-1650). The Mustang subsequently became one of the finest fighters of World War II.

The D variant — the most recognizable and the most widely produced version — entered service in 1944. It featured the characteristic bubble canopy providing excellent cockpit visibility, six Browning M2 .50 caliber machine guns mounted in the wings (three per side), and the ability to carry bombs and unguided air-to-ground rockets. A small dorsal fin extension added to the vertical stabilizer appeared on late-production aircraft to improve stability after the fuel system was expanded.

The P-51D Mustang played a crucial role in the air war over Europe — thanks to its long range (further extended by drop tanks), it could escort heavy B-17 and B-24 bombers deep into Germany, something earlier Allied fighters could not achieve. After the war, the aircraft served with many air forces around the world and also saw combat during the Korean War. Approximately 15,586 Mustangs of all variants were produced, with more than half being the D version.

Technical data of the original aircraft (P-51D Mustang):

• Length: 9.83 m
• Wingspan: 11.28 m
• Height: 4.17 m
• Empty weight: approx. 3,460 kg
• Maximum takeoff weight: approx. 5,490 kg
• Crew: 1 pilot
• Engine: Packard V-1650-7 Merlin, approx. 1,490 hp (up to 1,720 hp in WEP mode)
• Maximum speed: approx. 703 km/h at 7,600 m
• Service ceiling: approx. 12,800 m
• Gun armament: 6 × Browning M2 .50 caliber machine guns (1,880 rounds total)
• External stores: up to 907 kg of bombs or 10 × 127 mm unguided rockets
• P-51D production: 7,954 aircraft

About the manufacturer – Border Model:

Border Model is a Chinese plastic model manufacturer that achieved a strong market position in a relatively short time thanks to highly refined tooling and bold, unconventional design solutions. The company primarily specializes in World War II and postwar armored vehicles, but is gradually expanding into other subjects. Border Model is known for introducing innovations rarely seen among competitors — including factory pre-painted parts, full interiors, and hybrid assembly methods combining traditional glue construction with screw-fastened components. Today, the brand is mentioned alongside companies such as Meng, Rye Field Model, and Takom as one of the leading names in the modern plastic model industry.