Red Roo Models | P-51 RAAF Detail Set
Reviewed by Fred Cressey
Red Roo Models is a small company formed in 1995, and based in Victoria Australia. Their mission is to provide the "serious modeler with fine resin castings and high quality profiles". The subject matter is based on the RAAF in WWII and beyond. Originally centered on 1/72 & 1/48 scale products, their success has let them into the 1/32 scale product line.
When Gary Byk sent the conversion kit to me in March of 2009, the first thing I noticed was the amazingly detailed direction pamphlet. Each step in the instructions is backed up with color photographs of the area involved. If measuring is required to properly locate an item they are provided in millimeters.
The instructions include a section titled "General mustang modeling notes" which includes an explanation of the "myth" about leaking hydraulics. Filling and painting of the wing surfaces is also explained with B&W factory photos included. Also covered are common misconceptions about wartime mustangs as well as frequently overlooked inaccuracis of the Dragon kit. This instruction pamphlet is so clear, concise and informative that it will likely end up in the modelers referrence library.
In the conversion kit I received, 2 of the parts were in the wrong scale; the N-9 gunsight and pair of carburetor intake vent louvers. Hopefully this problem has been corrected in newer kits. The fuselage fuel tank filler tube was formed at the wrong angle but that is easily enough corrected.
Not only is a pitot tube included, something you won´t find in your Dragon kit, but Red Roo has also added some very unique photo etch, that even Eduard doesn´t provide in their Mustang accessories: You will now have an explanation for the 2 mysterious indentations on either side of the fuselage, just in front of and below the horizontal stabilizers, as well as those 6 little dents in the lower wings beneath the fuel tanks. As a significant gesture of "above and beyond", the folks at Red Roo have provided several extras of these particular PE parts, for the ever hungry "carpet monster".
In conclusion: For anyone interested in doing a "D" to "K" conversion on their 1/32 Dragon mustang, this kit is worth every penny of the cost. It might be a good idea to first inquire about the out of scale parts, and whether that has been corrected.
© Fred Cressey 2009
This review was published on Saturday, July 02 2011; Last modified on Wednesday, May 18 2016