Tamiya 60754 1/72 North American F-51D Mustang Korean War Fighter Kit  [60754]

F-51D Mustang in Korean War Service

The North American F-51D Mustang began as a quick concept sketched in a New York hotel room in April 1940. Initially called the P-51 by the U.S. Army Air Corps and later nicknamed Mustang by British forces, the type earned a strong reputation during World War II. The P-51D, noted for its bubble canopy, was the most numerous production variant with 9,603 aircraft built.

Armed with six .50 caliber machine guns and able to carry auxiliary fuel tanks or 1000lb bombs under its wings, the Mustang was a versatile combat platform. After World War II the type served with many air arms around the world. During the Korean conflict the F-51D proved especially useful at low speeds, supporting forward air controllers and close air support missions.

Despite its strengths, the F-51D's liquid-cooled engine was vulnerable to ground fire during strafing operations, leading to notable losses. Across three years in Korea 194 Mustangs were lost, with only 10 attributed to air-to-air combat. These facts give model builders meaningful historical context when assembling and weathering this kit.