Read n' Reviewed: P-51 Early Mustang (including the A-36, P-51 and P-51A to C): Airframe & Miniature No. 6 Second Edition from Valiant Wings

The second coming of the P-51 Early Mustang (including the A-36, P-51, and P-51A to C) in the Airframe & Miniature No. 6 from Valiant Wings has landed. Who better to look at every part of the book than Gary Wickham? See what he thought in his review...

Read n' Reviewed: 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
Reviewed: Jan 2025
Price: £28.95

Link to this book on the Valiant Wings Website

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 resources, 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, and 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

This softcover, 272 page, A4 format book is organised into three major sections:Airframe Chapters
Evolution: NA-73X, Mustang Mk I, XP-51, Mustang Mk Ia, P-51-NA & F-6A
A-36, P-51A and Mustang Mk II
The Early Merlin-powered Mustangs
Test Airframes, Field Conversions & Projects
Camouflage and Markings & Colour Profiles

Miniature Chapters
A-36 Apache and Early P-51 Series Kits
Building a Selection
Building a Collection
In Detail: The A-36 and Early P-51

Appendices
A-36 Apache & Early P-51-Series Kit List
A-36 Apache & Early P-51-Series Accessory List
A-36 Apache & Early P-51-Series Decal List
Scale Plans: A-36, P-51 & P-51B/C

Before we get to the meat of the book, Richard Franks first provides a preface section (20+ pages) that 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 and quality of photos are excellent and really help 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 not only USN service but also RAF (Martlet), each being covered in some detail, including colour 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 skilfully 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 modellers 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 organised into sub-sections, each featuring photos and drawings that thoroughly examine every aspect of the Mustang. As the centrepiece 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-organised appendices that comprehensively catalogue all known kits, accessories, masks, and decals across various scales, making it an invaluable resource for modellers. 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.

Conclusion: North American P-51 Early Mustang—Airframe & Miniature No. 6 Second Edition (Valiant Wings Publishing)
Like other titles in the Valiant Wings Airframe & Miniature series, this book serves as a comprehensive resource for modellers 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.

Gary Wickham

Thanks to Valiant Wings for sending this book to us to read and review. You can purchase or find more about these books on their website...

You can see more of Gary's model making on his website Scalespot.com