P-51B Mustang
China / Burma / India

Arma Hobby, 1/72 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

Known for their fights over Europe in the Allied air forces, the Mustangs were first and foremost purebred fighters that successfully escorted the 'Flying Fortresses' raids against the Reich and brought the German Luftwaffe to its ultimate doom. No less important and interesting, however, were the battles against the Japanese in which Mustangs took part in areas including China and Burma.

In the so-called CBI Theatre (China-Burma-India), the way aviation was used was very different from Europe. Instead of large strategic air strikes, tactical operations consisting of supporting ground troops, defending them from enemy aviation, attacking ground targets and reconnaissance predominated. In such a role, too, the fast and powerful Mustang proved itself admirably, thanks to its high payload, becoming an effective assault and even dive bomber, armed with a variety of bombs and rockets, able to operate safely without an escort!

Designed in the USA to British order, the North American P-51 Mustang aircraft was initially produced with the USA-made Allison engine, tuned for low altitude. Already this version was a success and went into service not only with the RAF, but also with the US Air Force. These aircraft performed best as reconnaissance and attack planes, at high altitudes they lacked power.

The problem was solved by the use of the legendary British Rolls-Royce Merlin engine, which, manufactured under licence by Packard, made the Mustang the best fighter of World War II. Mass production of the new version of the Mustang was carried out at North American plants in California under the designation P-51B-NA and in Texas as P-51C-NT. A total of 3738 B and C version aircraft were built. Some 900 of these, under the designation Mustang Mk III, were transferred to the RAF and to the Polish Air Force, RAAF, RCAF and Free French. Introduced into service in late 1943, they were gradually replaced by aircraft of the new P-51D/K version from mid-1944.

Arma Hobby has developed a strong following since 2020 thanks to their highly detailed and beautifully textured 1/72 scale aircraft releases, also venturing into 1/48 scale from 2021.

Arma Hobby has released the latest in their 1/72 scale P-51B/C Mustang family. This model is in the standard series so we do not find photo-etched or 3d printed parts. Arma has, however, included self adhesive masks and you may download files for 3d printing your own detail parts.

The die-cut masks are the paper "Kabuki" style.

The main difference between this boxing and Arma's other P-51B/C Mustangs is a brand new sprue with two sets of under wing bazookas.

These are well detailed and cleanly moulded. Decals are new too, of course

In total, this one comprises 103 parts in grey plastic, 12 parts in clear plastic, eleven parts on a single photo-etched fret; self-adhesive canopy and wheel masks; markings for six aircraft and bonus markings for a captured Japanese option.

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The grey plastic parts are delivered on two sprues. Moulding quality is excellent with no flaws or visible moulding imperfections on my sample. Arma’s website advises that long-run metal moulds are used for their kit production, and it really does show.

Being a long-run kit, the parts are moulded with all the alignment aids that you would expect including locating pins, holes and tabs.

The larger parts are moulded with a satin finish. Surface textures are just gorgeous. Recessed panel lines, circular fastener heads and other structural details are very fine.

The fabric texture on the elevators are represented by subtly raised rib tapes. The elevators are moulded as part of the horizontal stabilisers.

The fuselage is supplied as left and right halves with a few elements that allow some important options.

The most obvious is the separate rudder, fin and horizontal stabilisers. Two sets of each are included. One set represents the fin without the fillet, while the second depicts the later fin filleted version.

The fillet is moulded in the centre of the horizontal stabilisers.

The lower side cowling vents are also supplied separately. Three options are offered - blanked off, perforated and louvered.

Two styles of antenna mast are provided. A few of the options have whip antennas. This will be best made from fine stretched sprue. A spine-mounted DF loop is also included.

Two sets of exhaust may be found on the sprues - shrouded and unshrouded. Flaps are supplied as separate parts. They are designed to be built dropped. Note also that the flaps seem to have a subtle oilcanning effect along the lines of recessed rivets. I'm not sure if this is intentional but it looks convincing!

Some cockpit sidewall detail is moulded directly to the inside of the fuselage. Additional separate parts include a plastic cockpit floor, radiator ramps, side console, throttle quadrant; a moulded pair of rudder pedals that fit in behind the instrument panel, control column, fuel tanks, radios and more.

Two styles of pilot's seat are supplied.

Decals are used extensively for the various cockpit faces. A plastic instrument panel is also supplied with raised bezels and switches. The decal sheet supplies two sets of harness straps and instrument panels. I think decals will be very effective in the front office in this scale.

The wing parts are full span, top and bottom. They are thin at the trailing edges. I particularly like the very fine and busy recessed rivets on the centre section of the lower wing.

The wheel wells are really nicely detailed and the rear wheel well wall is accurately straight. The chord-wise reinforcements are moulded direcly onto the inner surface of the upper wing, which will make assembly very fast and easy.

A wing spar is provided to ensure that the dihedral will be the correct angle. This doubles as the rear undercarriage wall.

The main wheels are moulded as one piece each and are excquisitely detailed, including raised lettering. The wheels are subtly bulged and flattened. The tail wheel and strut are moulded as a single part. Detail looks good.

A generous allowance of ordnance is included.

There are two 108 gallon paper tanks, two 90 gallon metal tanks and two 250 lb bombs in addition to the new bazooka sprue.

Variations on the theme of photo recon Mustangs are offered with a number of flashed-over windows and clear lenses.

The canopy parts are thin and clear.

The standard and Malcolm hoods are included, although the Malcolm Hood options will not be used for any of the three marking options in the box.

The Malcolm Hood provides two centre sections - one to be used if the canopy is closed and the other if the canopy is open.

Navigation and formation lights are moulded as part of the wings.

Self adhesive masks are supplied for the canopies and wheels. These are the paper Kabuki style masks. These will be welcomed by modellers who dislike cutting their own masks.

Instructions are supplied as a 16 page stapled A5-sized booklet.

The kit is packed into a end-opening cardboard box. I have to say that I have never been a fan of end-opening boxes - access to the parts is more difficult, loose parts can easily be lost while retrieving instructions or a larger sprue, and the format is less structurally rigid, inviting the contents to be crushed when the box is inevitably at the bottom of a pile of kits.

I know it is a nit-pick but I would prefer to see future Arma Hobby releases in a lid-style of box.

Marking Options

The kit decal sheet offers markings for three USAAF P-51B Mustangs.

Specifics are:

• P-51 B-15-NA Mustang, pilot: Cpt. B.H. "Butch" Ashmore, 26th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group, Kunming, China 1944

• P-51 B-10-NA Mustang, 529th Fighter Squadron, 311th Fighter Group, pilot: Lt. Wilbert McEvoy, Burma, summer 1944

• P-51 B-7-NA Mustang, "JEANNE III" Cpt. Burton N. Rodier, 26th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group, China 1944

Stencil markings are printed on the same single sheet, as are propeller logos.

Colour callouts are provided for FS numbers and model paint numbers from a wide variety of companies – Hakata, AK, Lifecolor, AMMO, Humbrol, Vallejo and Tamiya.

Decals are printed by Techmod. They are glossy, colours are well saturated and everything is in perfect register.

Arma has also supplied bonus decals for a captured Japanese marking option.

Arma Hobby's 1/72 scale P-51B China / Burma / India kit is as impressive as its other Mustang predecessors - crisp surface textures, high moulding quality, many useful options and a very high level of detail.It is nice to see the bazooka option too.

This a great package with the plastic as well as self-adhesive masks.

Highly Recommended.

Thanks to Arma Hobby for the sample

Review Text and Images Copyright © 2025 by Brett Green
Page Created 8 July, 2025
Last updated 8 July, 2025

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