Hobby Master Archive

Hobby Master 1/48 Air Power Series HA8501 P-51B Mustang VF-T “Shangri La”, Captain Don Gentile 336th FS, 4th FG, WWII

1/48 scale pre-finished Die-cast metal with a minimum of plastic. Professionally painted. All markings pad applied for superb results. Cockpit slides open. Comes with a pilot that can be removed. Comes with display stand. Can be displayed with landing gear up or down.

The only difference between the North American P-51B and C variants was the B was built in Inglewood and the C in Dallas. The B variant first flew on May 5, 1943 and the C variant first flew on August 5, 1943. The B variant saw 1,988 built while the C variant saw 1,750 built. On December 1, 1943 the P-51B Mustang flew its first combat mission and in March 1944 provided bomber escort to Berlin. The high shape of the P-51B/C dorsal spine gave it the name “Razorback”.

Don Gentile like some other great pilots was rejected by the U.S. Military so he joined the RCAF in Canada. Gentile was assigned to the No. 133 Eagle Squadron flying Spitfires. Eventually he transferred to the USAAF along with the rest of the Eagle Squadron. Gentile had scored 6.33 kills before converting to the P-51 and scoring another 15.5 aerial kills plus 6 ground victories. Returning from his last mission Gentile flew too low on a low pass and struck the runway breaking the P-51Bs “Shangri-La” back.

Specifications for the North American P-51B/C Mustang Dimensions Length - 32.25 ft Wingspan - 37.04 ft Height - 13.67 ft Performance Power Plant - 1 X Packard (Rolls Royce) V-1650-3-7 producing 1,380 hp in the B variant and 1,490 hp in the C variant Maximum Speed - 439 mph @ 25,000 ft Service Ceiling - 41,800 ft Range B - 1,180 miles C - 1,900 miles Weights Empty - 6,985 lbs Normal T/O - 9,800 lbs Maximum Gross - 11,800 lbs Armament 4 x .50 cal machine guns with 1,260 rounds 2 x 1,000 lb bombs or rockets