 Academy's 1/72
P-51C Mustang "Red Tails" with Ground Vehicle
Overview It's a P-51. You know, the Mustang? The Kit This is a re-release of Academy's 1/72 P-51C kit, which I reviewed back in April of 2001. Since the kit parts for the plane are identical I'll refer you back to that review. Added to this release, though, is a ground vehicle, this being the Jeep from the Vehicle Set released a few years ago. Here's what I wrote about that back when it was originally released. Allied Jeep The Jeep is a vehicle that could be put in just about any diorama of any Allied airfield, as it could be found just about everywhere. This kit is very nicely done, including both a full chassis and undersides and a detailed interior. An engine is also included, but it could probably stand to have some added detailing if you want to have the hood up. Like the Kettenkrad, this kit has a clear hood to show off that engine as well. The interior is well done, with separate seat backs, two-piece steering wheel & column, thin sidewalls, and a 0.30 cal machine gun to mount on a center post. The windscreen is provided as either a clear piece or a solid piece with the glass opened out. The best way to go would probably be to use the clear piece and just carefully mask out the clear parts. The decals include white stars for the hood and sides and the ID numbers for the hood sides and front bumper.  The other change in this kit is the decals, and Academy's decal subjects just keep getting better and better. This time the kit comes with a pair of 332nd FG aircraft, best known for their red tails. The first aircraft is a P-51C-10-NT flown by Lt. Lee "Buddy" Archer of the 302nd FS. This plane has the name "INA the Macon Belle" on the nose and features yellow and red stripes behind the spinner and a figure of a man on the rear fuselage. The second aircraft is also a P-51C, this one flown by Capt. Ed Toppins of the 99th FS. It carries the name "Topper III" on the nose and has blue and white checks behind the spinner. Both aircraft have colored trim tabs on the rudder and elevator in either yellow or blue, and the yellow wing/tail stripes are also included. In addition to the markings the decal sheet includes quite a bit of stenciling, as well as decals for the jeep. They are well printed and have great color depth.
Conclusion This is a great little kit of the Mustang and Academy has sweetened the deal with the inclusion of the Jeep. The outstanding decals top this one off, making it a difficult kit to resist on the shelf. My thanks to MRC for the review sample. | 
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