This is the SAC gear is made with the brand-new Modelsvit P-51H. This was the last in the Mustang line, and essentially was a totally different aircraft; in outward appearance the lineage was there, but new wings, fuselage, cowling, combined with sub-parts of the previous P-51D tooling, led to a faster aircraft, with a bit more performance. Unfortunately for it, the Jet age had arrived, and as the jets arrived, the majority of users being U.S. Air National Guard units. And no, you can’t turn a D into a H. (well, if someone wants to try, go ahead, new wings, prop, fuselage, cowling, canopy… landing gear, wheel well… I guess you could use a stabilizer and fin/rudder, with an extended bit for the latter).

As the previously reviewed F-82, This is a kit not for the faint hearted, and in the end the final product has proven to be worthy of display next to the rest of the High-tech models of the P-51 to grace our building benches.

Much of the model is like (and shares commonality and design parts with) the F-82 model.

As with the F-82 kit the gear is extremely fine and delicate, to scale, and experience with other models produced in low-pressure injection processes indicate a metal gear is a great insurance policy to avoid “Gumby® gear” on our display items. The plastic will fail over time as a result of gravity. Yes, I stole that from my previous F-82 review.

There are 6 items in this set; two to replace the tail gear and four to handle the struts and retraction arms in the main gear areas. The main gear, as well as the tail gear, are worthy of replacing in this manner. SAC faithfully copies the kit items so you can superglue drop them in.

Couple of personal observations:

Drill out all gear wheels to take the axle; don’t expect the axles will fit in to their mounting holes as they are installed.

Wait until the model is mostly complete to install the gear. Don’t test the SAC gear resilience during installation if you don’t have to.

The tail gear, like the actual item on the real aircraft, is a serious weak point, and the benefit of being able to bend it back into place makes the set even more vital.

Last Observations

P/F-51H models in 1/48 have been represented in the past, but never passed muster; they were difficult to build and missed in many areas. Modelsvit have corrected this situation.

Once I learned how different the H was, with all the nuances, I realized the old Aurora P-51 model was a H (box art included and dutifully well-copied from a photo and NO WONDER it looked “off” from other P-51’s). As I was building the model I got fired up with how the SAC gear makes the difference on the final product. I highly recommend the purchase of same.

End Game

SAC gear is excellent here and well worth it. Thanks again Ross and SAC!!!… We at the Reviewer corps appreciate your providing us these items!