The P51 prototype NA-73X airframe was rolled out on September 9, 1940 and first flew on October 26, 1940. The Mustang was originally designed to use the Allison V-1710 engine, which had limited high-altitude performance. It was first flown by the Royal Air Force as a tactical-reconnaissance aircraft and fighter-bomber. The addition of the Rolls-Royce Merlin to the P-51B/C model transformed the Mustang’s performance at altitudes above 15,000 ft, matching or exceeding that of the German fighters.

The detail included in the SWS P51D kit shows what made this fighter one of the greatest of all times, now commonly referred to as GOAT. Builders can complete this kit out of the box with a fantastic array of details not found in other kits such as the wing rib details and interior fuselage details behind the cockpit.