P-51 Mustang Part 1

NA-73X through P-51A
The Allison-Engined Variants

Detail & Scale  Volume 21

Reviewed by Floyd S. Werner Jr.

This is the first of three volumes on the P-51 Mustang.  The original printed versions were released in 1996 and the amount of information and photos have grown.  That accompanied with the technological advantages of digital books makes these new volumes welcome additions to any library. 

Before I review the actual book let me mention some advantages of digital books.  First off they don’t take up a lot of room on your shelf, just digital space on your iPad or Kindle.  You can carry your library with you.  The other thing is that the photos can be enlarged as can the print.  You can print the photos even the enlarged ones.  You can also find information quickly by using the search function or scrolling through the pages or chapters quickly. 

The only disadvantage I can see is that you have to have a charged iPad or Kindle to use it. 

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Okay onto the review.  Detail & Scale have been synonymous with well researched reference books designed with the model builder and historian in mind.  In particular the model builder who is looking for nuances between versions will be greatly rewarded.  Written by Bert Kinzey and Haagen Klaus this volume is well written, informative and easy to follow.  As usual the addition of Rock Roszak’s wonderful illustrations makes these books invaluable.  There are a 145 ‘pages’ in this digital book filled with 245 photos, including 176 color photos, as well as, 7 color profiles and 10 illustrations.

The story of the P-51 is fairly well known.  This book covers from the initial requirement to the production of the Allison powered aircraft.  Starting out with the history section in a broad overview of the development.  This section dispels the myth that the Mustang was to be designed with 120 days.  This was not a fact.  North American said they could do it quickly.  I’d say 102 days is pretty fast.  The new aircraft with laminar flow wings was a fast and sleek design.  Despite some early problems the aircraft was put into production.  The production was broken down into modules, similar to what a model builder would use.  This section contains some really great photos.

Now that the history is covered, it is time to delve into each individual model, starting with the NA-73X and ending with the P-51A.  The Mustang Mk.1 is covered in detail including pics of the cockpit with its spade style control stick.  The XP-51 is covered next.  They were from the initial British order, flown and tested by the USAAF.  The P-51-NA is next up for coverage.  The inclusion of the four 20mm cannons started turning the Mustang into a formidable ground attack aircraft.  This version was also used for photo recon as the F-6A.  The various camera set ups are shown in some informative pics. 

The A-36A is the next chapter.  There are some tidbits of knowledge in this section as it was the first variant to see widespread use in the USAAF.  The color photos in this section are inspirational to the modeler.  There are plenty of walk around shots in this section. 

The P-51A, which was essentially an A-36 without the dive bombing capability.  There are some excellent color photos, including cockpit and walk around photos.  Extensive coverage of the entire airframe makes this book essential for those who have the Accurate Miniatures kits.  Everything is covered. 

Then comes the section I always read first, the Modelers Section.  1/72nd, 1/48 and 1/32 are included.  The inclusion of the new Halberd Models XP-51 review is particularly welcomed.  The thing I like the best about this section is the unbiased and critical review of the kits.  If there is a flaw, D&S mention it and usually offer a way to correct it.   

Detail & Scale has done it again.  Another fact and photo packed ‘book’ that is an essential reference to anyone’s library.  The review looked at the iPad version, but for those who are old school you can get it in printed version. For those digitally minded it is also available in a Kindle, Kobo or Google Play version.  If you need that one book for your collection, this is that book.  Another winner from Detail & Scale. 

Highly recommended

Thanks to Detail & Scale or the sample.

Review Copyright © 2025 by Floyd S. Werner Jr.
This Page Created on 25 June, 2025
Last updated 25 June, 2025

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