North American Aviation P-51B/C & F-6C Mustang

Published on
September 22, 2019
Review Author(s)
Book Author(s)
Robert Pęczkowski; Illustrators: Artur Juszczak and Dariusz Karnas
ISBN
978-83-65958-39-6
Other Publication Information
Soft Bound, A4 (8.25” x 11.625”), 160 pages
MSRP
$39.00
Product / Stock #
6142
Provided by: Casemate Publishers - Website: Visit Site
Book Cover

This tome is the latest in the Yellow series of aircraft monographs. Originally in a smaller format, ~6.3” by 9.3”, the Yellow series seems to have migrated to the “Big Yellow” series in a new larger A4 (~8.25” x 11.625”) size. Lately, it seems that the “Big Yellow” series has become just the Yellow series, but has retained the larger A4 format.

MMP was founded in 1996 by Roger Wallsgrove, to publish "Mushroom Model Magazine". This quarterly modeling magazine was developed from "Mushroom Monthly”, a club newsletter which ran from 1985 to 1995, achieving a worldwide reputation for quality articles, fearless and honest reviews, and a great sense of humor. From 1997 the magazine was produced in collaboration with Robert Peczkowski and Artur Juszczak (Stratus), which meant a big leap in print quality and design. MMP expanded into book publication in 1999, and since then they have built up a list of books on aircraft and aviation, naval, military vehicles, and military history. MMPBooks are distributed in North America by Casemate Publications.

Robert Peczkowski is part of the Wydawnictwo Stratus publishing group as a co-owner, publisher, and author. Robert attended Politechnika Rzeszowska from 1983 to 1988. Robert has written a number of books including the major work in English on the Polish Air Force of WW2. He is married with two children. His books include: Me 163 Komet (1997); PZL P.11c (1998); Messerschmitt Bf-109G (2000); British WW1 Aircraft in the Polish Air Force (2001); Messerschmitt Me 262A Schwalbe (2002); Lockheed P-38 J-L Lightning (2003); Messerschmitt Bf-109G Gustav (2004), P-47 Thunderbolt 'Bubbletop' (2005); Douglas SBD Dauntless (2007); Henschel Hs 126 (2008), North American P-51D Mustang (2009); Messerschmitt Me 163B Komet (2010), Bell P-39 Airacobra (2011); Mitsubishi J2M Raiden (2013); Messerschmitt Me 262 Schwalbe (2014) Republic P-47B-D Razorback (2016); and North American P-51D (2017).

Artur Juszczak has provided color illustrations for over forty books for MMP. Some of these titles include Boulton Paul Defiant (MMP Yellow 6117); Hurricane Ace Josef František: The True Story (MMP Blue 9); Henschel Hs 123 (MMP Orange 8114); and Fighters over France and Low Countries (MMP Red 4).

Dariusz Karnas is a skilled modeler and aviation historian. He lives in Przemysl, Poland. He has authored or contributed colour plates and / or scale drawings for over one hundred publications. These include MMP's Polish Wings, Scale Plans, and Inside series as well as books in the MMP Yellow series: Fieseler 156 Storch 1938-1945 (2012) and Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-15 (2004). You can find Dariusz Karnas on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/people/Dariusz-Karnas/100008987326348 . He lives in Przemyśl, Poland.

The front cover features a color photograph of a restored P-51C-10NT, sn 42-24907. Based out of Dakota Territory Museum (Minot, North Dakota), she is flying “(N6555B) in the livery of “Lope’s Hope 3rd”. Dariusz Karnas supplied 34 1/72 line side profiles showing the different variants, including 1/72 top, bottom, frontal, and tail views, as well as sectional / scrap views where appropriate. I counted 235 black and white photos and 74 color photographs. These photographs include a mix of period pics, Mustang manual or parts catalog pages, along with detailed photographs of current restored Mustangs. Dariusz Karnas provides page width-sized color instrument panels (with instrument description legend) for an early P-51B-1-NA and a late P-51B/C Mustang. Artur Juszczak contributes 27 full-page width color profiles plus an enlarged scrap view depicting the Mustang III’s unique antiglare panel. The Table of Contents focuses on the following sections:

  • Acknowledgments
  • Introduction
  • Mustang X [Page 7]
  • XP-51B (NA-101)
  • Series Production
  • P-51B/C Production Batches [Table]
  • Post-Production Modifications [Page 29]
  • Dive Limitations – P-51B, P-51C, and P-51D [Table]
  • F-6C Photo-Reconnaissance Mustang (by Robert Bourlier)
  • F-6 Modification Centers [Tables]
  • F-6C Conversions [Tables]
  • NAA Mustang II
  • Mustang III Performance [Table]
  • Mustang III Serial Numbers [Table]
  • P-51B/C Technical Description
  • Dimensions [Table]
  • Finish Specification
  • Finish General Requirements [Table]
  • Finish and Finish Material Specifications [Table]
  • {Color Profiles} [Page 73]
  • P-51B Comparison (to other fighters) [Tables]
  • Detail Photos
    • General View
    • Fuselage [Page 93]
    • Wing
    • Tail
    • Engine
    • Undercarriage
    • Canopy
    • Cockpit [Page 132]
    • Radio Sets
    • Machine Guns
    • Stores
  • P-51B-1-NA with Bubble Canopy
  • Bibliography

This monograph is heavy on the details while covering the development of the P-51B/C and F-6C Mustang family. Starting with the first ideas of replacing the Allison engine with the supercharged Packard (Rolls Royce) in the Mustang X to the prototype of the bubble-top P-51D Mustang. What I found quite interesting is the chapter on Post-Production Modifications and would love to see that included in more books.

This tome is essential if you're considering building any of the plethora of P-51B kits, even if you are waiting for the Eduard 1/48 P-51B that was announced at the 2019 IPMS Nationals. If you have any interest in P-51B Mustang, this is your book.

My thanks to Casemate Publications, Mushroom Model Publications and IPMS/USA for the chance to review this great book.

Highly recommended!

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