Pre-Order Expected Arrival - MARCH 2025

Lt Brueland flew P-39 Airacobras with the 20th Fighter Group at Paine Field, Washington, and at March Field, California, until March 1943, and then with the 355th Fighter Squadron of the 354th Fighter Group at Santa Rosa Army Air Field, California, and Portland Army Air Base, Oregon, from March to October 1943. He next deployed to England with the 355th Fighter Squadron and began flying the P-51 Mustang in November 1943, and became Commander of the 355th in May 1945. Maj Brueland was credited with the destruction of 12.5 enemy aircraft in aerial combat, plus 3 probables and 6 damaged, before returning to the United States in November 1945.

Designed to meet an RAF requirement for fighter-bomber and reconnaissance aircraft, the P-51 Mustang was first flown on October 26th, 1940. This versatile aircraft was capable of escorting bombers on long-range missions, engaging in dogfights, and dropping down to destroy German targets on the ground. At least eight versions of the P-51 were produced, but it was the definitive P-51D that gave the Mustang its classic warbird appearance. Britain and the US both tested the airframe with the Rolls-Royce Merlin engine, which gave the aircraft tremendous performance gains. The Truman Senate War Investigating Committee called the Mustang "the most aerodynamically perfect pursuit plane in existence."

Hobby Master's 1:48 scale P-51 Mustang is a well-thought-out, quality product, constructed almost entirely from diecast metal with intelligent use of plastic components. The sliding canopy opens to reveal pad printed flight controls, instrument panel and radio equipment boxes. The all-metal propeller spins freely, and the wing flaps and radiator cowling are also movable. Separately applied metal exhaust stacks have six flanged pipes on each side, and pad printed rivets can be seen on the flaps, engine cowling and rudder. Landing gear and doors are constructed as a complete subassembly for easy configuration. Releases in this series include a variety of wing mounted external fuel tanks and ordnance.

Info: P-51D Mustang - USAAF 354th FG, 355th FS, #44-63702 Grim Reaper, Lowell Brueland, 1945