Tamiya 60749 - 1:72 P-51D Mustang

Plastic model kit of the North American P-51D Mustang fighter in 1:72 scale

Tamiya 60749 depicts the P-51D Mustang – the most famous version of the U.S. fighter that, by combining a Packard (licence-built Rolls-Royce Merlin) engine with an aerodynamic airframe, achieved long range and excellent high-altitude performance. It was the P-51D that escorted Allied bombers deep into Germany.

The kit is from Tamiya's own tooling, with finely rendered panel lines. The model lets you choose a Dallas-built or standard canopy (both bubble type) and fit two 75-gallon underwing drop tanks, while the decals finish the aircraft in one of three USAAF schemes, including the famous 'Nooky Booky IV'.

What's in the box:

• Plastic sprues with fuselage, wing and tail parts
• Two types of bubble canopy (Dallas and standard)
• Two 75-gallon underwing drop tanks
• Four-blade propeller and detailed landing gear and wheel wells
• Waterslide decal sheet for 3 USAAF marking options
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:72
• Item number: 60749
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled length: 136 mm, wingspan: 157 mm
• Skill level: beginner/intermediate

Note: glue, paints and modelling tools are not included. The model is intended for self-assembly.

Building the model:

As a Tamiya-tooled kit it features good parts fit. Paint the cockpit interior before closing the fuselage and fit the chosen canopy last, after painting.

Many P-51Ds wore a natural-metal finish (e.g. Tamiya AS-12 Bare Metal Silver or XF-16 Flat Aluminum) with colourful unit markings. Lay the decals over a gloss coat to avoid silvering, then finish with a satin varnish. The instructions provide paint references for all three schemes.

Tools you'll need:

• Modelling nippers for removing parts from the sprues
• Hobby knife or scalpel
• Files and sandpaper for cleaning up sprue-gate marks
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Brushes of various sizes and modelling paints (acrylic or enamel)
• Panel-line wash to emphasise detail and recesses
• Gloss varnish for the decals and a satin coat to finish
• Optional: self-adhesive canopy masks

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

The Mustang was originally built to a British order, but the breakthrough came with the fitting of a Rolls-Royce Merlin engine (produced in the U.S. by Packard), which dramatically improved high-altitude performance.

The P-51D version, with its bubble canopy and six .50-calibre machine guns, became the main USAAF escort fighter. Thanks to its long range, Mustangs accompanied bombers on raids over Germany, contributing greatly to the Allied air superiority of 1944.

Original aircraft specifications (P-51D):

• Length: 9.83 m
• Wingspan: 11.28 m
• Height: 4.17 m
• Empty weight: approx. 3,460 kg
• Powerplant: Packard V-1650 inline engine (licence-built Merlin, V12), approx. 1,490 hp
• Max speed: approx. 700 km/h
• Armament: six .50-calibre Browning machine guns; underwing bombs and rockets
• Crew: 1
• In service: from 1944

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 in Shizuoka, regarded as the heart of Japan's model-making industry. It launched its first injection-moulded plastic kit in 1960 and soon set a global benchmark for quality thanks to precise tooling and excellent parts fit. Tamiya's own-tooled kits are popular with beginners and experienced modellers alike, combining accurate detail with thoughtfully engineered, enjoyable assembly. Beyond plastic kits in many scales, the company offers a full range of accessories: paints, glues, tools and brushes. Tamiya operates in dozens of countries and remains one of the most recognisable brands in the hobby.