North American P-51D

USAAF 361st FG, 375th FS, 44-13926, RAF Bottisham, UK 1944

Hobby Master 1:48 HA7753

On July 26, 1944 P-51D Mustang #44-13926 was part of a flight of four Mustangs that was photographed from a B-17 Flying Fortress as they flew together in formation. The aircraft, three P-51Ds and one P-51B, were all from the 375th Fighter Squadron based at RAF Bottisham, England. The now famous photograph is titled "The Bottisham Four". The 375th Fighter Squadron, a component of the 361st Fighter Group, operated P-47 Thunderbolts and later P-51 Mustangs. Their missions primarily involved escorting bombers, ground attacks, and engaging enemy aircraft over Europe.

North American P-51D Mustang
Designed to meet an RAF requirement for fighter-bomber and reconnaissance aircraft, the P-51 Mustang was first flown on October 26th, 1940. This versatile aircraft was capable of escorting bombers on long-range missions, engaging in dogfights, and dropping down to destroy German targets on the ground. At least eight versions of the P-51 were produced, but it was the definitive P-51D that gave the Mustang its classic warbird appearance. Britain and the US both tested the airframe with the Rolls-Royce Merlin engine, which gave the aircraft tremendous performance gains. The Truman Senate War Investigating Committee called the Mustang "the most aerodynamically perfect pursuit plane in existence."

Hobby Master "1:48 Air Power Series" diecast airplanes feature:

• Molded metal construction with plastic components.
• Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
• Inscriptions and posters printed with a stamp that do not fade or fall off like decals.
• opening of awnings, revealing detailed within the cockpit.
• Extended / retracted interchangeable landing gear.
• Display stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
• Authentic detachable artillery cargoes complete with placards.