P-51 Mustang
Propeller and Spinner Assemblies
Corrected and Detailed Flaps

Ultracast

Reviewed by Brett Green

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P-51 Mustang Propeller and Spinner Assemblies

Ultracast has turned its attention back to Tamiya's Mustang with four new accessories. The first three are accurate resin propeller and spinner assemblies:

• 48136 - P-51 Mustang Hamilton Standard Cuffed 4-Blade Propeller & Spinner (fits Tamiya P-51B-D kits - see title image)

• 48137 - P-51 Mustang Hamilton Standard Cuffless 4-Blade Propeller & Spinner (fits Tamiya P-51D kits)

• 48138 - P-51 Mustang Aeroproducts 4-Blade Propeller & Spinner (fits Tamiya P-51D kits)

The first two sets are corrected replacements for propeller versions included in Tamiya's P-51 kits. Ultracast's replacement H-S Cuffed propeller blades capture the shape of the cuffs more accurately than the kit parts. In the case of the Cuffless blades, the taper is correctly depicted (in fact, Tamiya reversed the taper on their version). Also note that Tamiya incorrectly describes these blades as the Aeroproducts version.

Ultracast's final Mustang propeller offering, the Aeroproducts blades, are not available in any of the Tamiya kits, and will be especially useful for P-51Ks and some other Commonwealth and CAC Mustangs fitted with this assembly.

The Ultracast propeller spinners all feature slightly more detail than the kit item. They also feature a correct oval opening for the propeller blades and, being a one-piece assembly, avoid sprue scar and alignment problems that might be encountered with the kit parts.

Each set includes the new one-piece spinner and four separate propeller blades. The prop blades are not keyed, so you can set the pitch at whatever angle you prefer. However, make sure that all four propeller blades are at the same angle!

Casting quality is up to Ultracast's usual high standards.

P-51 Mustang Landing Flaps

Tamiya supplied separate landing flaps on its 1/48 scale family of P-51 Mustangs, and the surface detail is as nice on these parts as it is on the rest of the kits.

However, Tamiya has moulded a wedge of recessed, plain plastic to permit the flaps to fit is they are depicted closed. This is thoughtful of Tamiya, but it does make extra work for modellers who want fully accurate dropped flaps.

Ultracast has come to the rescue with a set of two P-51 Mustang flaps equipped with surface detaile for the full width of the part.

This will be a very simple, drop-fit replacement for the plastic Tamiya parts on any of their P-51 kits.

Presumably, considering the interchangability of parts between the Tamiya and ICM kits, they will also fit ICM's 1/48 scale Merlin Mustangs.

Ultracast parts are always a treat, and these are no exception.

All four sets for Tamiya's Mustangs are simple to prepare, easy to install and will improve authenticity depending on the version that you are building.

All Recommended.

Thanks to Kevin at Ultracast for the review sample

The full catalogue of Ultracast accessories, conversions and figures may be viewed and purchased at Ultracast's Web Site.

Review Copyright © 2004 by Brett Green
Images Courtesy Ultracast Website
Page Created 29 February, 2004
Last updated 28 February, 2004

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