North American P-51D Mustang “ Petie 3rd ” 487th Fighter Squadron, USAAF 1944, 1:72 Scale Model

• WWII Aircraft Series
• Diecast and plastic parts.
• Pre painted.
• Display base included.
• Minor assembly required.
• Approximate dimensions: L 5.55” x 6.54” Wingspan x 2.05” H
• Package dimensions:11.25” L x 7.75” W x 3.8” H
• Display model, not a toy, for 14 years and above.

The North American Aviation P-51 Mustang is an American long-range, single-seat fighter and fighter-bomber used during World War II and the Korean War, among other conflicts. The Mustang was designed in April 1940 by a team headed by James Kindelberger of North American Aviation (NAA) in response to a requirement of the British Purchasing Commission. The Purchasing Commission approached North American Aviation to build Curtiss P-40 fighters under license for the Royal Air Force (RAF). Rather than build an old design from another company, North American Aviation proposed the design and production of a more modern fighter. The prototype NA-73X airframe was rolled out on 9 September 1940, 102 days after the contract was signed, and first flew on 26 October.

Following combat experience the P-51D series introduced a “teardrop”, or “bubble”, canopy to rectify problems with poor visibility to the rear of the aircraft.  The new model Mustang also had a redesigned wing; alterations to the undercarriage up-locks and inner-door retracting mechanisms meant that there was an additional fillet added forward of each of the wheel bays, increasing the wing area and creating a distinctive “kink” at the wing root’s leading edges.

The P-51D became the most widely produced variant of the Mustang.

This Forces Of Valor P-51D model replicates “Petite 3^rd” flown by Lt. Col. John C. Meyer, 487^thFighter Squadron, 352^ndFighter Group, United States Army Air Force, 1944.

This display model is a great addition to your collection.