Hobby Master Archive

Hobby Master 1/48 Air Power Series HA8503B P-51B Mustang Capt. C.E. “Bud” Anderson, 363rd FS/357th FG, England, June 1944 REGULAR RELEASE NOT AUTOGRAPHED BY PILOT

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”.

On June 6, 1944 near Leipzig, Germany while the 363rd FS/357th FG P-51B Mustangs were escorting B-17s on a bombing mission eight German Fw-190s came up to engage the bombers. The P-51s reacted and went after the Fw-190s with Capt. C.E. Bud Anderson unleashing a long- range volley eliminating the leader who bailed out. This time Anderson moved in closer on the second Fw-190 and set him ablaze. The third Fw-190 of the day for Bud came when the German failed to see him and flew directly in front of the P-51 with a predictable outcome. At the end of WWII Bud Anderson was credited with 16.25 victories, making him a triple ace.

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