The North American P-51 Early Mustang (including the A-36, P-51 and P-51A to C) – A Complete Guide to the USAAF’s Famous Fighter
Airframe & Miniature No.6 Second Edition - Valiant Wings Publishing
Richard A. Franks

The North American P-51 Early Mustang - A Complete Guide to the USAAF’s Famous Fighter is No. 6 in the Valiant Wings Airframe & Miniature series.

The Airframe & Miniature series are all built around a consistent format and "Each title contains technical information, full colour profiles, walkaround images, diagrams, camouflage and marking details, a wealth of photographic resource plus comprehensive model builds and information on kits both past and present."

This book was first published in 2013 and has been out-of-print since 2019. Since the success of the book on the later types, AM18 The NA P-51D/K Mustang, Valiant have had a lot of requests about the availability of the earlier book and so they thought now would be a good time to publish a second edition. This edition is totally revised and updated plus there are 3 new kit builds and all-new kit reviews.

This sixth book in the much acclaimed series contains 272 pages packed with vital information that no active modeller and Mustang enthusiast should be without

• 60+ pages of technical information
• 50+ pages of walk-around images and technical diagrams
• 30+ pages of camouflage and markings
• 30+ pages of model builds and modelling information
• 200+ photographs including wartime images
• Colour side views and stencil diagram by Richard J. Caruana
• Original isometric views, side profiles & scale plans by Jacek Jackiewicz
• Revised & new isometric views & side profiles by Wojciech Sankowski
• 1/72nd and 1/48th scale full kit builds by Libor Jekl & Steve A. Evans including new builds of the 1/72 Brengun P-51 Mustang Mk I, the 1/72 Arma Hobby P-51B/C Mustang and the 1/48 Eduard D-Day Mustang
• A set of fold-out 1/48th scale plans
• 272+ pages

Before we get to the meat of the book, Richard Franks first provides a preface section (20+ pages) which summarises the history of the early Mustang along with many period photos. This is an easy read and a good introduction for those unfamiliar with the Mustang and the prevailing circumstances that led to its development.

Chapters 1 to 4 cover in detail the evolution of the early Mustang from Prototype to Production, the Allison powered ground-attack A-36 Apache, P-51A and RAF Mustang Mk II and then onto the early Rolls Royce Merlin powered variants.

These "Airframe" chapters do a solid job of concisely summarising each of the myriad variants and sub-variants with each being afforded a couple of paragraphs. As with all the other titles in the Valiant Airfrme and Miniature series, the number of and quality of photos is excellent and really helps engage the reader.

Easily the most colourful part of the book, Chapter 5: Camouflage & Markings, provides us with bucket loads of inspiration and ideas. As you probably expect the Camouflage & Markings chapter consumes a significant number of pages as it spans each of the early Mustangs with each being covered in some detail including color profiles and supporting period photos.

Chapter 6: Building a Selection offers an impressive showcase of detailed builds of several 1/72 and 1/48 scale kits. The chapter begins with Libor Jekl's outstanding work on the Condor A-36, Brengun P-51 Mustang Mk I and Arma Hobby P-51B/C, all in 1/72. Each model is crafted to a high standard, with relevant detail thoughtfully executed and documented. The inclusion of clear, high-quality in-progress photos enhances the experience, allowing readers to closely observe and appreciate the craftsmanship at every stage of the build.

Moving on to 1/48 scale, Steve Evans skillfully tackles the beautifully tooled Eduard P-51B and the Italeri reboxing of the Accurate Miniatures A-36 Apache. Steve’s straightforward approach to building is refreshing, offering clear, focused insights without unnecessary digressions. His expertise shines through in these builds, making them both informative and inspiring for modelers of all levels.

Chapter 7: Building a Collection, brings to mind the classic Squadron/Signal "In Action" series, known for its detailed coverage of the key differences between variants as aircraft designs evolved. If your goal is to create a model of every early Mustang variant, this chapter will be invaluable. The isometric drawings for each variant are particularly effective in illustrating the changes made over time.

Chapter 8: In Detail, truly delivers for those who enjoy exploring what lies beneath the surface. Spanning 50+ pages, this chapter delves deep into the finer points, embracing the saying, "the devil is in the details."

This chapter is thoughtfully organized into sub-sections, each featuring photos and drawings that thoroughly examine every aspect of the Mustang. As the centerpiece of the book, it’s sure to become the most frequently referenced—and well-worn—section in my copy.

The book concludes with several well-organized appendices that comprehensively catalog all known kits, accessories, masks, and decals across various scales, making it an invaluable resource for modelers. Adding to its practicality, the final section features a set of detailed 1/48 scale fold-out drawings, meticulously illustrating the P-51 Mk.I, A-36 Apache, P-51B/C Mk III, and P-51 Mk.1A. These drawings are both visually impressive and highly useful for ensuring accuracy in your builds.

Like other titles in the Valiant Wings Airframe & Miniature series, this book serves as a comprehensive resource for modelers aiming to create accurate representations of the early Mustang variants while also gaining a deeper understanding of their history and operation. I appreciate reference books that focus on a single aircraft in such depth, and I can confidently recommend this one as excellent value for money.