WOW! INSIDE-OUT MEGA-BUILD P-51D MUSTANG FROM ZOUKEI-MURA

SMN REPORT:

More goodness from Zoukei-Mura is about to fly your way, with a “build from the inside out” Mustang, that’s just packed with interior detail.

Inside-out fighter

In Zoukei-Mura’s words: “I want to build the Mustang from the inside out!!” And that seems to be what this try-harder model company has succeeded in doing, with a 1:32 scale P-51D that has to have more detail aboard than anything seen before.

Detail-up parts aplenty

Parts come in four colours, with a component-count of some 283 in all, though this has not quite been finalised yet. We’re in awe here of Zoukei-Mura’s dedication to detail - the P-51D has no less than 14 sub-packs to provide even more of the nitty-gritty than the basic kit has to offer. 

Armed with a paintbrush

Perhaps the most unusual extra depicts a US Air Force officer holding a paintbrush - he’s called a: “Battlefield Artist”, though whether he’s an official war artist or the squadron nose-art painter is up to you. Standing pilots and ground crew are other offerings, and as you can see from the picture here, the seated figure wearing goggles and oxygen equipment looks simply outstanding.

Summation

One of Zoukei-Mura’s SWS (Super Wing Series), the 1:32 scale P-51D Mustang looks to be a winner, and all those detail packs should keep anyone quiet. Yes please - and if you want one, the kit is limited to five per customer. Order direct and at present international shipping is free, and the price is discounted, so it’s cheaper than the Tamiya P-51D to the same scale.

Visit Zoukei-Mura to take advantage of the free shipping offer.

Want something simpler to build? There’s plenty of choice here.

BIG-SCALE MOTORIZED FOAM-BOARD CAR KITS

SMN update: GreenLight Toys has unveiled a series of foam-paper car kits for 2012, five American muscle cars and one muscle truck. The MotoBuildz aren't exactly models, they're more like those 500-piece landscape puzzles you find at educational toy stores, only with fewer pieces and less frustration. Complete kit Here’s a taste of the manufacturer’s somewhat breathless promo puff: “New for 2012, GreenLight introduces MotoBuildz; 3-Dimensional Car Puzzles! Through Motobuildz, GreenLight dives into Do-It-Yourself fun at a beginner skill level. Each all-in-one kit includes high quality detailed sheets of pop-out pieces so no paint, glue or tools are needed.” Motor included, no batteries needed Keep the excitement rolling, Greenlight: “Each vehicle kit includes a pullback motor so that, once installed, the fun can continue. This added bonus equals added value for great post-construction action and excitement. The assembled cars are available in a variety of muscle-car models such as a Corvette, Camaro and Mustang, as well as heavy-duty trucks. The vehicles are completed with solid plastic wheels, a mini display box and superior durability.” Give it a hearty push Well, we might be a tad cynical here at SMN, but hyperactive blurb apart, these look really interesting items, and a bit of a break from serious modelmaking. And if you have a youngish son or daughter - we’d judge these are good for 7-10 year-olds - then some interaction with your kids can’t be a bad thing. Of course, if there are no kids about, then one of these kits could easily provide a bit of relaxation for us older modelmakers, not least because of the motor, claimed to provide “plenty of juice when given a hearty push.” Now then, howzabout test driving that rather tasty Camaro?

Visit GreenLight Toys here. 


There's more
View the video below - or not, as the case may be. We're having trouble with YouTube today, so here's the link to copy and paste into your browser if you can't see it right now - http://youtu.be/X3fbIjl0ja4

HASEGAWA RAIDEN - A 1:32 SCALE THUNDERBOLT FROM JAPAN

SMN report:

According to Hasegawa, this is the first 1:32 scale kit of the Mitsubishi J2M3 Raiden (Thunderbolt) since the 1960s. Apparently, the original moulds were lost at sea, so this new kit provides a fine opportunity for the 21st century modelmaker to assemble a state of the art new-tool production. 

Radial engine

It’s a fine-looking model, as the pictures from Hasegawa reveal, though detail is nowhere near the level of the recent Tamiya Mustang to the same scale. Even so, there’s plenty here to delight the eye, not least the neatly-produced radial engine, cannon armament, clear canopy and instrument panel.

Raiden pilot

Perhaps the star of the show is the excellent pilot figure. He comes with poseable arms and all flying kit ready for takeoff, including a parachute backpack. He can be posed with oxygen mask on or off, hand holding the stick or saluting a superior officer. 

He’s seated in all modes, but would look fine displayed separately if you like an empty cockpit, so you can see the detail in there properly. Two sets of decals are provided, representing aircraft flown in March 1945.

Raiden vs Mustang

The real thing, code-named ‘Jack’ by the Allies, was designed by Jiro Horikoshi, and could fly faster and higher than Mitsubishi’s better-known fighter, the A6M Zero. The J2M3 Type 21 had a MK4R-A Kasei 23a engine, and was armed with a quartet of wing-mounted cannon. The 612 km/h (382 mph) Raiden had little chance against a determined Mustang pilot, but was successful against daylight bombers such as the B-29 Superfortress.

Zero at Chino, courtesy Jerome Dawson.

Planes of Fame Air Museum

If you live in or visit California, then the Chino-based Planes of Fame Air Museum is a must-see attraction. Among the incredibly large collection of aircraft there is a preserved Raiden, on static display for in-the-metal inspection. There’s more besides - other Japanese aircraft include an Aichi Val that’s presently being restored to flying condition, and one of the Museum’s top attractions, an airworthy Zero fighter, which is flown in displays at various times of year.

The Hasegawa Raiden is due in October. Meantime, the smaller 1:48 scale Raiden is available here.

Visit the Planes of Fame Air Museum here.

TAMIYA 1:32 P-51D MUSTANG - JUST SUPERB

SMN report:

The new Tamiya 1:32 scale P-51D is gathering plaudits all over, and we’re not surprised. It’s easily a match for the firm’s Spitfire models in this scale, and utilises the same super-small magnet technology to keep the ultra-thin engine cowlings in place.

Scene from the Red Tails movie, featuring P-40s and P-51Ds.

Is it worth buying?

Should you pony up the money to buy this Mustang? The answer is quite simple - if you have the slightest interest in this World War II thoroughbred, and enjoy model making, it has to be an unqualified yes.

Usual high quality box art from Tamiya.

Enjoy the Tamiya pix (don’t forget to click for the full-size images) to see what we mean.

Neat wheel-well and drop-tank detail.

Merlin engine a miniature marvel.

Note red tail markings and (below) neat stand.

Magnets allow full engine reveal. Note separate prop spinner.

Metal-etch parts for fine details.

Finished cockpit assembly, and (below) triple 'whole nine yard' ammo belts.

Red Tails movie to come

Don’t forget to take in the trailer for the upcoming movie Red Tails, the dramatised story of the Tuskegee flyers, black airmen who made their name defending Allied bomber fleets during World War II. We’ve already seen criticisms regarding details of both planes and story, but it looks like a rip-roaring tale that remains true to the flavour of the real thing.

High-action trailer for the movie. Turn your speakers up for max effect!

Tuskegee airmen in front of a P-40, flown before the more advanced P-51D.

The real thing, flown regularly at air displays - just gorgeous, though note it is not the 'D' version.

Instrument panel has plenty of detail.

See the Tamiya P-51D here.

SPIT AND POLISH SHINES UP A MUCH-LOVED WARBIRD

SMN report
Seeing that Shigeo Koike P-51 Mustang painting coincided with the pic above arriving at SMN Towers. It came unannounced, so if you're the owner or the photographer, do let us know so we can give you a credit. The aircraft - a P-51D Mustang - just has to be the shiniest 'Stang we've ever seen. Click the pic to enlarge and you'll be blown away by the sheer lustrous beauty of shiny metal, which makes my Sunday afternoon cutlery-cleaning sessions with Silvo look somewhat pathetic. The gleaming Mustang is also a reminder that the type has to be just about the most-modelled aviation subject ever, even if the Supermarine Spitfire takes the podium in some markets.

Museum grade replica
The Mustang is not a just popular subject with serious IPMS types and more casual model makers - the folks at P51 Mustang Models will make you a museum-grade replica for a fee. On the kit front, which one is best? Well, that's an argument that could run and run, with pros and cons for every entrant in the market. Still, it's fair to say that there is not a real rip-yer-hair-out dud out there.

A big one from Airfix
Our own favourite is the old 1:24 scale Airfix model, not so much for its overall accurancy, but for the boldness of Airfix in bringing out a mammoth kit at a time when even 1:48 was considered on the big side. Ah, nostalgia!

Visit P51 Mustang Models here.