Pre-order - Eduard 84214 - 1:48 P-51B Mustang Malcolm Hood canopy

1:48 scale plastic model kit of the P-51B Mustang fighter with Malcolm Hood canopy – Weekend Edition

Eduard 84214 is the Weekend Edition of the P-51B Mustang fighter model featuring the distinctive Malcolm Hood canopy—the sliding side windows on rails were introduced as the RAF’s solution to the problem of poor rear visibility from the P-51B’s razorback cockpit. The Malcolm Hood was a popular field modification used by RAF and USAAF squadrons in Europe in 1943–1944, before the fully bubble canopy of the P-51D became standard.

The Weekend Edition includes complete Eduard plastic sprues without photo-etched parts or masks, making it an excellent kit for modelers who want to focus on the enjoyment of building without engaging in advanced techniques. Four marking variants from the included decal sheet depict specific Malcolm Hood-equipped aircraft that saw action over Europe.

The kit includes:

• Eduard plastic sprues with fuselage, wing, and accessory parts
• Transparent sprues with Malcolm Hood cockpit canopy
• Water-slide decal sheet for 4 marking variants
• Illustrated assembly instructions with color diagrams

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:48
• Catalog number: 84214
• Manufacturer: Eduard (Czech Republic)
• Model length after assembly: approx. 205 mm
• Model wingspan: approx. 235 mm
• Difficulty level: beginner/intermediate

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

Model construction:

The Weekend Edition is a kit suitable for modelers of all skill levels. The absence of photo-etched parts and masks means that the build can be completed faster using only plastic modeling techniques. When painting, be sure to thoroughly mask the transparent Malcolm Hood canopy before applying paint—the canopy is complex and requires precision. It is best to paint the cockpit before assembly.

Typical paint schemes for the P-51B with Malcolm Hood are: Olive Drab (FS 34087) / Neutral Grey (FS 36173) – USAAF 8th Air Force standard, or Medium Sea Grey / Dark Green – RAF variants. Yellow identification stripes on the wings and lower surfaces in Medium Blue were commonly seen in units over Western Europe in 1944.

Essential tools:

• Model-making nippers
• Model-making knife or scalpel
• Files and sandpaper
• Plastic glue
• Brushes of various sizes
• Model paints (acrylic or enamel)
• Clear varnish for decals
• Model wash for highlighting details

About the aircraft – P-51B Mustang by Malcolm Hood:

The P-51B Mustang is the Merlin-powered variant of the famous North American fighter—equipped with a licensed Packard Merlin V-1650-3 engine, which replaced the original Allison engines with limited high-altitude performance. The -51B was the first Mustang capable of escorting B-17 and B-24 bombers on deep raids into Germany. It entered operational service with the 354th Fighter Group in December 1943 and dramatically shifted the balance of power during daytime bombing missions over the Third Reich.

The original P-51B cockpit had a traditional enclosed design with limited rearward visibility. British and Canadian units developed a field modification known as the Malcolm Hood—a rail-mounted canopy (partially bubble-shaped) over the pilot’s seat. This solution significantly improved visibility, though it did not fully match the P-51D’s bubble canopy introduced in mid-1944. The P-51B with the Malcolm Hood was used by many RAF and USAAF units over Europe.

Technical specifications of the original (P-51B Mustang) :

• Length: 9.83 m
• Wingspan: 11.28 m
• Height: 4.17 m
• Takeoff weight: approx. 5,080 kg
• Crew: 1 pilot
• Armament: 4 × 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine guns; up to 910 kg of bombs or rockets
• Powerplant: Packard Merlin V-1650-3 inline engine, 1,100 hp
• Maximum speed: approx. 703 km/ h
• Range: approx. 1,600 km (with auxiliary tanks)
• Service ceiling: approx. 12,800 m

About the manufacturer – Eduard:

Eduard Model Accessories is a Czech model kit manufacturer based in Obrnice, one of the leading brands in European aircraft modeling. The Weekend Edition series is a line of affordable plastic kits without photo-etched parts, allowing you to enjoy Eduard models with less time and money. Models from the Weekend series retain the same precise plastic molds as the more expensive editions — they differ only in the absence of extras. Eduard is known for its wide range of P-51 Mustangs in all popular scales and configurations.