Designed by James Kindelberger in 1940 to a British Purchasing Commission's requirement for a new RAF fighter, the prototype was designed and built in the incredibly short time of 117 days. Of clean appearance and powered by a 1,150 h.p Allison engine, it employed low-drag laminar-flow section wings and a distinctive cooling radiator intake beneath the wing centre-section. First flown in October 1940, deliveries to the RAF began in 1942 but the relatively low-altitude rating of the Allison engine relegated the aircraft to the low-level reconnaissance role.
At the suggestion of the British, the aircraft was re-engined with the famous Rolls Royce Merlin, and it was quickly realised that this unique combination formed a most potent warplane, the Merlin engines being built under licence by Packard in USA. December 1943 saw the first P-51B and C Mustangs flying with the USAAF from Britain on bomber escort duties and in 1944 the major production version of this fighter, the P-51D with a higher-powered engine and teardrop canopy giving the pilot all-round vision, joined the air battles high over Germany. With its ability to carry underwing stores, the P-51D was also flown in the ground-attack role. As well as Northern Europe and the Mediterranean, P-51D's also operated in the Pacific theatre, where their long range suited the island-hopping war against Japan. Many other air forces operated P-51D's, both during and after the war, notably those of Australia, Canada and South Africa. Although the RAF received 281 P-51Ds, only about 30 entered squadron service in the UK as Mustang IVs, the remainder being shipped to the far east theatre; these never entered service, the main RAF version being the P-51K/Mustang IVA.
The markings provided in this kit are for one of the Mustangs named 'Big Beautiful Doll' that were flown by Col. John D. Landers in April 1945 when he commanded the 78th. Fighter Group, 8th Air Force, USAAF, at Duxford, UK. John Landers ended the War with 14.5 aerial victories, six of these scored in the Pacific theatre with the 44th. Fighter Group, and a further 8.5 in the European theatre, where he also served with the 55th. and 357th. Fighter Groups before commanding the 78th F.G. In addition, he is credited with destroying 20 enemy Aircraft on the ground, including eight in one mission. The alternative markings are for a Mustang IV of No.442 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force, based at Digby, UK, in May 1945. Powered by a liquid-cooled 12-cylinder Packard Merlin V-1650-7 of 1,450 h.p., the P-51D had a maximum speed of 700 km.h (437 mph) at 7,612 m (25,000ft), a service ceiling of 12,758m (41,900ft), a climb rate of 1,058 m/min (3,475 ft/min), and a range with two 284 litre (75 gallon) drop tanks of 1,040km (650 miles). Armament was six 12,7mm (0.5in) Browning machine guns and provision for two 227 or 455kg (500 or 1,000lb) bombs or ten air-to-ground rockets.
Dimensions wing span 11,27m (37ft 5 1/6in); length 9.83m (32ft 3 1/4in); height 4.07m (13ft 4 1/2 in).

Polystyrene Cement and Paints Required = Common 11,121,135,171,19,24,25,3,33,49,53,56,61,72,80,81,85,86,98. RAF 106,145,30,34. Royal New Zealand Air Force 191. Swedish Air Force 66.