P-51 Mustang Pt. 2
Volume 2- P-51 Mustang Part 2
XP-51B through P-51C

Detail & Scale  Volume 22

Reviewed by Floyd S. Werner Jr.

Before I begin this review a disclaimer, I donated some photos to this book. 

One of my favorite aircraft is the P-51 Mustang.  No, not that Mustang, I prefer the P-51B.  The aircraft is sleek and sexy.  It saved the USAAF bombing campaign. 

The second book in the three book series on the P-51 Mustang, this digital book has 158 pages with over 220 photos, over half in color.  There are 14 color profiles and eight illustrations.  Written by Bert Kinzey and Haagen Klaus this book is a one stop shop for everything P-51B.  Illustrations are done by Rock Roszak in his typical beautiful style. 

Layout is the same as the Detail & Scale starting out with the history of the Mustang development that picks up where Volume 1 left off.  There is a lot of confusion about the development by the British and North American Merlin engine aircraft, Detail & Scale explains the parallel designs as well as the differences between them.  The aircraft are quite unique looking when compared to the classic P-51B.  The use of the P-51B in the various theaters of operations.  One set of pictures that stands out are the pictures of James Howard’s aircraft on the day of the his Medal of Honor mission. 

After the history section, the early Merlin Mustangs are explored in detail.  The British version is really unique looking with its wide mouth intake.  It is not as pretty as the production model but it has its own charm. 

That is followed up by the XP-51B being developed by North American.  This was different looking as well with a stepped intake and its 20mm cannons.  Those cannons were eventually removed to create a more usual P-51B. 

With all this development the quintessential P-51B emerged.  The differences in the -1 are discussed and shown.  Obviously all was not perfect with engine issues and gun problems, but all of this is explained in the chapter.  The development of the dorsal fin and Malcolm hood are highlights as well.  Even the development of the two seaters is shown to detail 

The P-51C is discussed next.  Produced in Dallas, apparently all P-51Cs were produced with all metal Warren-McArthur seats.  It is things like this that make this book invaluable to the modeler. 

The F-6C was a sub-variant of the P-51B/C designed for photo reconnaissance.  The different types of camera mounts are shown in illustrations and photos. 

The Mustang III is the British designation of the P-51B/C.  The British didn’t differentiate between the P-51B or C.  The seat harness was different utilizing the British Sutton harness.

There is a gallery of photos that are very colorful and useful for the modeler, including a very unique ‘sharkmouthed’ one.  Some NACA Mustangs are shown which should provide the modeler with some options.  This is immediately followed by the walk around photo gallery.  Factory drawings, historical photos and modern aircraft are used to show the details.  This is an essential part of the book.

The modeler section is what sets the Detail & Scale books apart from other books.  The gallery of built models is always a great read.  They cover all the scales from 1/144th to 1/32nd.  I love how they tell you what is the best and worst in a kit.  They also offer how to correct those problems.  The models presented are all really good builds by well known modelers.  I love the inclusion of the latest models including Eduard and Halberd Models in this section. 

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If you’ve have any of the Detail & Scale books, this follows the same format and same level of detail.  In other words, this book is exactly what a modeler could ask for in a reference book.  If you only want one book on the P-51B/C model?  This is that book.  Another winner from Detail & Scale. 

Highly recommended

Thanks to Detail & Scale for the review copy.  You can obtain yours by going to the Detail & Scale website (www.detailandscale.com) and follow the links there. 

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 26 June, 2025

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