Piper PA-48 Enforcer
Model 1983

1/48 conversion set for Eduard P-51D/K kit

Halberd Models, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

In 1968, Cavalier Aircraft owner/founder David Lindsay began developing a highly modified version of the Cavalier Mustang for use as a counter-insurgency aircraft. Cavalier initially mated a Rolls-Royce Dart 510 turboprop to a Mustang II airframe. This privately funded prototype was also intended for the same CAS/COIN mission that the Mustang II was built for. The Turbo Mustang III had radically increased performance, along with an associated increase in payload and decrease in cost of maintenance, and was equipped with Bristol ceramic armour to protect the engine, airframe, and pilot. Despite numerous sales attempts to the United States Air Force, neither the U.S. military nor any foreign operators purchased the Turbo Mustang III.

Seeking a company with mass production capability, the Turbo Mustang III, renamed the "Enforcer", was sold to Piper Aircraft in late 1970. Cavalier Aircraft Corp. was closed in 1971 so the founder/owner, David Lindsay, could help continue develop the Enforcer concept with Piper. Piper was able to lease a Lycoming T55-L-9 engine from the USAF (the engine Lindsay wanted initially) and flew the aircraft some 200+ hours.

In 1971, Piper built two Enforcers by heavily modifying two existing Mustang airframes, fitting them with Lycoming YT55-L-9A turboprop engines along with numerous other significant modifications. One airframe was a single seat (called the PE-1 and FAA registered as N201PE), the other a dual-control aircraft (the PE-2, registered N202PE). Prior to the Pave COIN evaluation, N202PE was lost in a crash off the Florida coast on 12 July 1971 due to flutter caused by a Piper-modified elevator trim tab. Although the Enforcer performed well in the 1971–1972 Pave COIN test flown by USAF pilots, Piper failed to secure a USAF contract.

In 1984, with a $US12 million appropriation from Congress, Piper built two new Enforcers, giving the new prototypes the designation PA-48. By the time the PA-48s were completed, they shared less than 10 percent of their structure with the P-51, and were longer and larger. The PA-48 Enforcer was a completely new aircraft.

These aircraft were evaluated by the USAF, but flown only by Piper test pilots.

The PA-48s were found to perform well in their intended role, but the Air Force again decided not to purchase the aircraft.*

Halberd Models from Ukraine have added a 1/48 scale resin Piper PA-48 Enforcer Model 1983 conversion to their range.

This set has been specifically designed for the Eduard 1/48 scale P-51D/K kits.

Halberd's conversion comprises 46 parts in green coloured resin, 14 photo-etched parts, decals and detailed instructions packed snugly in a stout cardboard box and a generous wrapping in bubble wrap.

The Piper PA-48 Enforcer was a radical departure from the WWII Mustang fighter and Halberd Models have taken no short cuts. The conversion is comprehensive.

The conversion has also been designed to be as easy as possible to assemble.

In particular the fuselage halves are full-length - no cuts or inserts are required to fit that long Rolls-Royc turboprop engine cowling.

Furthermore, the fuselage halves are cast with locating pins and holes on the mating surfaces, and raised locating ridges to ensure the cockpit is aligned accurately..

The kit was delivered with the two fuselage halves taped together and the fit was perfect. Remarkable.

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Thumbnail panels:

One of the perils of choosing the Eduard P-51D as a donor kit is that the exquisitely delicate plastic surface textures woukd be difficult to replicate on the conversion. It turns out that Halberd is up for this challenge though. The recessed panel lines and rows of rivets on the conversion parts are the equal of Eduard's excellent example - crisp, fine and consistent.

In addition to the fuselage halves, the kit also supplies a cowl ring, spinner, ten wing mounts for stores, plugs for the lower-wing shell ejector ports, propeller blades, aerials and avionics, exhaust, wing tip tanks, separate noses for the tip tanks and more.

Production quality of these is also excellent. The pilot's seat includes a nicely textured cushion and cast-on harness straps.

The big instrument panel bears a family resemblance to the Mustang counterpart.

Propeller blades are fine and free from distortion.

Each big wing tip tanks is cast onto a small block at the nose. They are handed left and right.

The main wheels are also new and are crisply detailed with raised GoodYear lettering, tyre pressure informatiom and radial tread on the tyres.

A clear part and an orange strobe light are supplied in clear resin.

Copper plated photo-etch parts include stabilisig fins and smaller details.

Two self-adhesive templates are included to ensure accurate drilling of locating holes for the ordnance mounts in the bottom of the wings.

The decal sheet is printed by Decograph. It includes national markings, serials, walkways and stencils.

The instructions are offered in the form of clear diagrams. They look easy to follow.

A parts list and camouflage and markings guide round out this very impressive package.

All you need to add is an Eduard 1/48 scale P-51D/K/ Mustang Mk.IV kit. If you don't have an Eduard Mustang already, the best value for money will be to buy an Overtrees boxing from Eduard's website. These are white-box basic sprue sets with only the plastic parts. They are available for the bargain price of USD$22.95.

There is not much in the way of surgery and the steps are clearly laid out. A moderately experienced modeller will be able to handle it. I have built several Halberd kits and conversions and have always been impressed with their clever parts breakdown and ease of assembly. I don't expect that this one will be any different.

Halberd Models has delivered another "wow" release. This is a comprehensive and really well executed conversion for an almost-was Mustang variant.

I am very impressed with the quality of the surface textures and casting. Its thoughtful design also means that only a moderate amount of modelling experience will be required to tackle the project.

Grab one while you can.

*Historical background courtesy of Wikipedia

Thanks to Halberd Models for the sample

Halberd Models eBay Shop

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Text and Images Copyright © 2025 by Brett Green
Page Created 9 May, 2025
Last updated 10 May, 2025

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