The P-51K is a lesser-known but fascinating variant of the famous Mustang – the aircraft that gave the Allies air supremacy. In the new Arma Hobby set, you’ll find three different machines from the final stage of the war: American and British Mustangs from the European and Pacific theaters. Each of them tells its own story.
P-51K – a practical solution from Dallas
The P-51K was a version of the Mustang produced at the North American Aviation plant in Dallas, Texas. Initially, the factory built the P-51D-5-NT variant (Dallas-built aircraft were marked NT, while those from Inglewood, California, carried the NA code). Production blocks from P-51K-1 to K-15 were created out of necessity – during mass production, Hamilton Standard propellers became unavailable, so Aeroproducts propellers were used instead.
The K version also featured a distinctive, more bulged canopy known as the “Dallas Hood”. After the propeller supply issue was resolved, production returned to the P-51D-20-NT version, but the P-51K had already reached both major theaters of war – Europe and the Pacific.
P-51Ks served in both USAAF and RAF units, often retrofitted with Hamilton Standard propellers. The differences between the D and K versions were therefore minimal – they were essentially sub-variants of the same, highly refined fighter.
Color schemes from the P-51K Mustang #70071 set
P-51K-10-NT Mustang, 44-12018/79 “Fragile but Agile”
Pilot: Lt. Bertram Lee, 342nd Fighter Squadron, 348th Fighter Group, Luzon, Philippines, 1945
The 348th Fighter Group took part in campaigns over New Guinea and the Philippines. It was originally equipped with P-47 Thunderbolts. In April 1945, while stationed on Luzon, the group was re-equipped with P-51D/K Mustangs, and in July 1945 moved to Ie Shima near Okinawa, from where it escorted B-29 Superfortress bombers on raids over Japan during the final months of the war.
Both the P-47s and P-51s of this group carried broad identification bands on the fuselage and wings to prevent friendly fire from Allied anti-aircraft units. Lee’s aircraft bore the group’s markings – a blue stripe on the vertical tail and a blue propeller spinner. The inscription “Fragile but Agile,” expressing pilots’ impressions after switching from the heavier P-47, was probably painted dark blue, as on other aircraft in the squadron.
P-51K-1-NT Mustang, 44-11360/WR-H “Dot Darlin”
Pilot: Lt. Carl E. Decklar, 354th Fighter Squadron, 355th Fighter Group, Steeple Morden, England, 1945 (propeller replaced with Hamilton Standard)
The aircraft carried unit markings in the form of a red rudder and a red stripe around the nose. On the engine cowling, the word “Bulldogs” was painted, along with the squadron’s bulldog emblem on the tail. The left side of the cowling bore the name “Dot Darlin,” while the right side read “Our Mom.”
This aircraft is a good example of how the original Aeroproducts propeller of the P-51K version was often replaced with the Hamilton Standard unit used on the P-51D. The Aeroproducts propellers were less well balanced, which negatively affected performance, so many units replaced them whenever possible.
Mustang IVa (P-51K-15-NT), KM271/QV-V “Dooleybird”
Pilot: F/Lt S. Doley, No. 19 Squadron RAF, England, 1945
This aircraft is painted in a nostalgic scheme familiar to many modelers from the classic Matchbox kit released in 1972. Its color scheme has been widely discussed on the Britmodeller forum. The stripe running along both sides of the fuselage – from the blue-and-white checkerboard pattern to the lower edge of the sliding canopy – was long believed to be blue. Current research suggests it was yellow, matching the color of the section commanded by F/Lt S. Doley. Similar markings appeared on aircraft from other RAF squadrons as well.
Arma Hobby Model
The Arma Hobby P-51K Mustang 1/72 kit allows you to build the model in one of three interesting versions – an American aircraft from the European front, a tropical one from the Philippines, or a British RAF Mustang. The new Arma Hobby (2025) tooling offers excellent part fit, realistic surface detail, and the option to choose between Aeroproducts and Hamilton Standard propellers, as well as two canopy types.
This is a versatile kit that brings together the history of three theaters of war, showing how one aircraft could adapt to completely different combat environments.
See also:
- P-51K Mustang model in the Arma Hobby shop: link
Mustangs over Europe – Colour Schemes from P-51D 1/72 – #70070 kit
Modeller happy enough to work in his hobby. Seems to be a quiet Aspie but you were warned. Enjoys talking about modelling, conspiracy theories, Grand Duchy of Lithuania and internet marketing. Co-founder of Arma Hobby. Builds and paints figurines, aeroplane and armour kits, mostly Polish subject and naval aviation.
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