In Box Review of Revell-Monogram 1/32nd Scale
North American P-51B “Mustang” Fighter
Kit no. 4773
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright 1993
Out of production
I paid $14.50 for my kit at the local Michael’s store back in the 90’s.
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright 1993
Out of production
I paid $14.50 for my kit at the local Michael’s store back in the 90’s.
HISTORY:
The North American P-51 Mustang is considered to be the best propeller-driven combat aircraft ever built. Originally developed at the request of the British, the North American Company produced the first prototype Mustang in a record 117 days.
The improved P-51B version was a long-range escort fighter for American bombers over Germany. This P-51B in this kit is marked as the aircraft piloted by Duane Beeson of the 334th Fighter Squadron. Major Beeson and his P-51B Mustang accounted for over 19 downed enemy German aircrafts before he was shot down.
The North American P-51 Mustang is considered to be the best propeller-driven combat aircraft ever built. Originally developed at the request of the British, the North American Company produced the first prototype Mustang in a record 117 days.
The improved P-51B version was a long-range escort fighter for American bombers over Germany. This P-51B in this kit is marked as the aircraft piloted by Duane Beeson of the 334th Fighter Squadron. Major Beeson and his P-51B Mustang accounted for over 19 downed enemy German aircrafts before he was shot down.
THE KIT:
Revell and Monogram are old prolific model companies. Revell is based in Venice, CA. They were associated with Monogram when this kit was made here in the USA. Monogram is based in Morton Grove, IL. Both companies produce model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit comes in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The cover art shows a color illustration of Major Beesons P-51B flying escort over a formation of 7 B-17’s. He has just shot down a German Bf-109 that is going down in flames.
His P-51B is overall olive-drab above a light blue undercarriage. It has wide white stripes around its wings and elevators, a red spinner, large white fuselage code QP star and bars M, yellow serial no. 35815 on its rudder sides
On the side of its nose is a logo of a bumble-bee sitting on a bomb. He wears a yellow life vest and leather helmet and has a pistol in each hand. Below him it says “BEE”. This is followed by 20 victory markings.
The B-17’s are all overall bare metal, with white triangles on their rudders with a different black letter on each of them.
One side panel of the box says: An unassembled plastic model kit. Paint and cement (not included) are needed to complete the model as shown. 1/32nd scale. Length 12” (30.5cm). Pictorial instruction sheet provides assembly instructions in English. For ages 10 to adult. This is said in English and French.
Next are 2 color photos of the model made up in Beeson’s markings and the removable engine cowling exposing a detailed 1380 hp Merlin engine. This is followed by explanations of the 3 skill codes Monogram-Revell uses.This kit is labeled as a 2. Which means more challenging and usually requires glue.
Copyright for the kit is 1993 and Revell-Monograms address in Morton Grove, IL is provided.
Revell and Monogram are old prolific model companies. Revell is based in Venice, CA. They were associated with Monogram when this kit was made here in the USA. Monogram is based in Morton Grove, IL. Both companies produce model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit comes in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The cover art shows a color illustration of Major Beesons P-51B flying escort over a formation of 7 B-17’s. He has just shot down a German Bf-109 that is going down in flames.
His P-51B is overall olive-drab above a light blue undercarriage. It has wide white stripes around its wings and elevators, a red spinner, large white fuselage code QP star and bars M, yellow serial no. 35815 on its rudder sides
On the side of its nose is a logo of a bumble-bee sitting on a bomb. He wears a yellow life vest and leather helmet and has a pistol in each hand. Below him it says “BEE”. This is followed by 20 victory markings.
The B-17’s are all overall bare metal, with white triangles on their rudders with a different black letter on each of them.
One side panel of the box says: An unassembled plastic model kit. Paint and cement (not included) are needed to complete the model as shown. 1/32nd scale. Length 12” (30.5cm). Pictorial instruction sheet provides assembly instructions in English. For ages 10 to adult. This is said in English and French.
Next are 2 color photos of the model made up in Beeson’s markings and the removable engine cowling exposing a detailed 1380 hp Merlin engine. This is followed by explanations of the 3 skill codes Monogram-Revell uses.This kit is labeled as a 2. Which means more challenging and usually requires glue.
Copyright for the kit is 1993 and Revell-Monograms address in Morton Grove, IL is provided.
The other side panel begins with features of the kit: This P-51B Mustang was piloted by Major Duane Beeson, WWII ace with over 18 victories. Open canopy reveals a detailed cockpit and pilot figure. Landing gear can be built in up or down position. Model is in olive-drab and clear. Authentic decals included.
This is followed by 2 more color photos of the model made up in the Beeson’s markings. Revell-Monogram’s office address in Germany is provided.
This is followed by 2 more color photos of the model made up in the Beeson’s markings. Revell-Monogram’s office address in Germany is provided.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX:
The kit contains 3 dark olive-drab trees in a sealed clear cello bag, a loose clear tree, the decal sheet and the instructions.
The instructions consist of a single-sheet that accordion-folds out into 6 ¼” x 11” page format, folded in half to fit the box.
Page 1 begins with a black and white illustration of Beeson’s P-51B dog-fighting with 3 German Fw-190’s . One is on fire and the pilot has jettisoned his canopy and taken to a parachute.
Below this is the history of the P-51B, with the 1993 copyright and Revell’s address in Morton Grove, IL repeated and a one-paragraph history of the P-51B. Read before you begin instructions, international assembly symbol explanations and a suggested paint color listing in English, French and German.
The bottom of the page gives a 1-800 phone no. to use to get any assistance with the kit.
Page 2 through 5 gives a grand total of 9 assembly steps.
Pages 6, 7 & 8 are painting and marking-guides, that show a 4-view of Beeson’s P-51B. Colors are called out in FS numbers (Federal Standard) and the address in Washington, DC to order the guide for these numbers from is provided.
Page 8 includes the painting instructions for the pilot figure on one corner and Revell’s address in Des Moines, IA, to use to contact for help with this kit.
Trees are not alphabetized or illustrated in the instructions. They do, however, have part number tabs next to the parts on the trees. Bad move Monogram-Revell!
The first dark olive-drab tree holds: a fuselage half, nose upper panel, tires, air scoop, elevator halves, landing gear legs, gear doors, pilot figure (divided into front and back whole body) etc. (21 parts)
The kit contains 3 dark olive-drab trees in a sealed clear cello bag, a loose clear tree, the decal sheet and the instructions.
The instructions consist of a single-sheet that accordion-folds out into 6 ¼” x 11” page format, folded in half to fit the box.
Page 1 begins with a black and white illustration of Beeson’s P-51B dog-fighting with 3 German Fw-190’s . One is on fire and the pilot has jettisoned his canopy and taken to a parachute.
Below this is the history of the P-51B, with the 1993 copyright and Revell’s address in Morton Grove, IL repeated and a one-paragraph history of the P-51B. Read before you begin instructions, international assembly symbol explanations and a suggested paint color listing in English, French and German.
The bottom of the page gives a 1-800 phone no. to use to get any assistance with the kit.
Page 2 through 5 gives a grand total of 9 assembly steps.
Pages 6, 7 & 8 are painting and marking-guides, that show a 4-view of Beeson’s P-51B. Colors are called out in FS numbers (Federal Standard) and the address in Washington, DC to order the guide for these numbers from is provided.
Page 8 includes the painting instructions for the pilot figure on one corner and Revell’s address in Des Moines, IA, to use to contact for help with this kit.
Trees are not alphabetized or illustrated in the instructions. They do, however, have part number tabs next to the parts on the trees. Bad move Monogram-Revell!
The first dark olive-drab tree holds: a fuselage half, nose upper panel, tires, air scoop, elevator halves, landing gear legs, gear doors, pilot figure (divided into front and back whole body) etc. (21 parts)
The second dark olive-drab tree holds: the other fuselage half, engine, cockpit floor, air intake, cockpit rear wall with headrest, dashboard, cockpit side panels, exhaust etc. (15 parts)
The third dark olive-drab tree holds: the lower wing halves, propeller, joy stick etc. (16 parts)
The fourth dark olive-drab tree holds: the upper wings halves (2 parts)
The clear tree holds the canopy parts (6 parts)
The large decal sheet completes the kit's contents.
Detail is mostly of the raised variety and excellent.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.